Origins of the Term, “Grasshopper”
By Mark Albertson: By 1941, it was certain as sunrise that America would soon be in the global conflict raging outside its borders. And this meant that the armed forces needed to prepare for that eventuality. L-4 Piper Cub The schedule of Army war games kicked off in Tennessee in June with Second Army; then it was on to Fort Bliss in Texas with Third Army in July. August and September were in Louisiana with Second and Third Armies, followed in October and November in the Carolinas with First Army and IV Corps. The maneuvers centered at Fort Bliss were held...
Learn MoreJune 1966 / Instructors Needed
By Mark Albertson: U.S. Army Transportation School, Fort Eustis, Virginia, is in need of instructors in the field of Aircraft Maintenance. Instructors will broach the following technical subjects: Maintenance Publications; Propeller and Rotor Maintenance; Maintenance Management; Propulsion Systems Maintenance; Electrical Systems; Rotary Wing Maintenance and Airframe and Equipment Maintenance. Three years practical experience or training in one of the above subjects is required for training level positions.
Learn MoreRotary Wing Bomber
By Mark Albertson / July 31, 1966: Those who think out-of-the-box are among those movers and shakers who bring us new ideas and concepts. Fortunately such critical thinkers can be found within the ranks of Army Aviation. Rotary Wing Bomber War Zone D, Vietnam, pinned down were two companies of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, enduring heavy Viet Cong attacks. Aerial artillery support materialized in the form of a CH-47 Chinook armed with mortars. The lethal tubes were jerry-rigged upon a wooden trough in the doorway. The lumbering Chinook made three passes, lobbing 83 rounds on the tenacious VC. This first ever...
Learn MoreJune 1966 / Fail-Safe
By Mark Albertson: At Fort Wolters, Texas, a captive training device is in use. A helicopter mounted on a ground effects machine (GEM), AKA Whirlymite, is shown hovering from the ground. The contraption enables a student to practice all manner of in-flight maneuver, safely. A test group of 100 candidates—without previous flying experience—are receiving three hours of Whirlymite instruction.
Learn MoreDecember 1979 / Hygiene and Medicine
By Mark Albertson: Christmas Eve 1979, the Soviet Army rolled into Afghanistan. The country was occupied in short order; but, a protracted war of attrition with an insurgency which refused to be cowed ensued. Of the many reasons for the Soviet defeat, one which stands out and seems rarely discussed is that of hygiene and medicine. And the figures are astounding: A total of 642,000 Soviet soldiers served during the nine year war in Afghanistan. A staggering 73 percent of those committed became casualties. Of these, 14,453 were killed and 53,753 were wounded. The rest fell victim to sickness and disease,...
Learn MoreJune 1966 / Remembering BG Carl I. Hutton
By Mark Albertson: I am sorry to report the death of BG Carl I. Hutton. Carl passed on June 15 following a prolonged illness. He was interred with military honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California. BG Hutton will long be remembered as one who contributed new thoughts and ideas to improve the combat effectiveness of the Army. He was one of the early promoters of the helicopter as a firing platform. [The above obituary is based on a letter contributed by MG Ernest F. Easterbrook.]
Learn MoreJune 1991/ Briefings
By Mark Albertson: General Gordon Sullivan, Army Chief of Staff designee, has selected CSM Richard Kidd, 47, as the next Sergeant Major of the Army. CSM Kidd, currently assigned to I Corps, will replace SMA Julius “Bill” Gates, who is retiring June 30, 1991, after a career of more than thirty years. CSM Kidd is a graduate of the Sergeants Major Academy, Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course and Airborne School. He is a veteran of two combat tours in Vietnam, 1966-67 and 1970-71. Among his decorations are the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal,...
Learn MoreHappy Birthday, Army Aviation!
Seventy-four years ago, Army Aviation was born; given life amid a world at war. At the same time, it is important to realize that the Army’s tactical air branch is the inevitable product of the Industrial Revolution, with its innovation, invention and specialization of tasks that have produced the tools of conflict that have so profoundly affected the practice of war. Throughout the history of Army Aviation, this evolution is seen with the advent of four aircraft: Beginning with the antecedent of today’s Army Aviation, the Balloon Corps, which was characterized by its static aerial observation posts or the gas...
Learn More1979 Hygiene and Medicine
Christmas Eve 1979, the Soviet Army rolled into Afghanistan. The country was occupied in short order; but, a protracted war of attrition with an insurgency which refused to be cowed ensued. Soviet troops evacuating Afghanistan, 1988.” Source of photo: Mikhail Evstafiev Of the many reasons for the Soviet defeat, one which stands out and seems rarely discussed is that of hygiene and medicine. And the figures are astounding: A total of 642,000 Soviet soldiers served during the nine year war in Afghanistan. A staggering 73 percent of those committed became casualties. Of these, 14,453 were killed and 53,753 were wounded. ...
Learn MoreJune 1991 Briefings
General Gordon Sullivan, Army Chief of Staff designee, has selected CSM Richard Kidd, 47, as the next Sergeant Major of the Army. CSM Kidd, currently assigned to I Corps, will replace SMA Julius “Bill” Gates, who is retiring June 30, 1991, after a career of more than thirty years. CSM Kidd is a graduate of the Sergeants Major Academy, Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course and Airborne School. He is a veteran of two combat tours in Vietnam, 1966-67 and 1970-71. Among his decorations are the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal, Combat Infantryman’s...
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