It’s hard to believe that summer is already here! Early June 2026 found the National Executive Group (NEG), consisting of myself, Senior VP Tim Edens, Treasurer Todd Royar and Secretary Ray Davis, along with VP Membership Liz Martin and VP Chapters John Broam in Connecticut at the AAAA National Headquarters.

We were joined by Bill Harris, Laura Arena, Art Agnew, Janis Arena and other members of the National Staff to conduct our annual review of AAAA programs, strategic plan, bylaws, management contract and proposed events including the Army Aviation Warfighting Summit.

We had enjoyable and productive sessions, evaluating the last year, planning for 2027 and working initiatives together as a team. It was especially helpful that we took a long-term approach to try synchronizing goals and objectives both now and in the future as we all look forward to supporting each other’s presidencies over the next seven years!

Bottom line is that AAAA is in great shape. From our record-setting 2026 Summit to membership, chapter activity, scholarships, and Trade-School Licensing and Certification programs, we are confident that we are meeting or exceeding your expectations.

We still have room for improvement, of course. We are looking to re-energize Congressional Caucus engagements in DC, becoming even more proactive in representing your needs while ensuring that we are 100% aligned with Aviation Branch objectives and initiatives.

We also had some lively discussions on reshaping the Annual AAAA Army Aviation Warfighting Summit, the Cribbins Futures Forum, the Survivability and Counter Drone Forum, and the Second Annual Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition. More to follow on these initiatives.

I just returned from an outstanding visit to the Air Assault Chapter at Fort Campbell, KY. As usual, Chapter President COL (Ret.) Hawk Ruth and his team were magnificent. I had the opportunity to visit the 101st Airborne Division headquarters, as well as meet with Soldiers from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). I was honored to be able to speak briefly about AAAA at their quarterly chapter meeting where several individuals were recognized with Orders of St Michael, along with opportunities to network while enjoying a complimentary all-you-can-eat barbecue dinner. I look forward to sharing more chapter visits with you in 2027.

During the first week of June, AAAA Past President, BG (Ret.) Howard Yellen, represented me at a well-deserved Gold Order of Saint Michael presentation to BG Travis McIntosh, Deputy Commanding General of the 101st, who is now enroute to his new assignment as Deputy Director for Regional Operations, The Joint Staff J-3, at the Pentagon. Thank you Howard for representing AAAA and congratulations to Travis for this well-deserved recognition.

All in all, it has been a great month. On behalf of the entire staff and leadership of AAAA, have a healthy and safe Summer and as always let us know what more we can do to best “Support the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family”.

MG Wally Golden, U.S. Army Retired
37th President, AAAA
walter.golden@quad-a.org

A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, prepares to land while being directed in by a U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, assigned to the handling team aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 in the Pacific Ocean, July 19, 2026. Thirty nations, 30 ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft and more than 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Olivia Cowart)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 809th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 15th Engineer Battalion, 7th Engineer Brigade, and the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, conduct sling load and rafting operations at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 8, 2026. A CH-47F Chinook helicopter transported bridging equipment during the sling load operation while Soldiers from the 809th MRBC conducted rafting operations. The 809th MRBC is the only permanently assigned Multi-Role Bridge Company in U.S. Army Europe and Africa, providing personnel and equipment to transport, assemble, disassemble, retrieve and maintain standard and nonstandard bridging systems for wet and dry gap crossings. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Robinson)

The District of Columbia Army National Guard’s Capital Cohort proudly commemorated the 108th Anniversary of the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Corps during a birthday ceremony at the D.C. Armory in Washington, July 8, 2026. Hosted by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert W. Gibson Sr., the District of Columbia National Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO), the ceremony brought together Army Warrant Officers from across the District of Columbia National Guard, as well as Warrant Officers from multiple states supporting the DC Safe and Beautiful mission. The event celebrated more than a century of technical expertise, leadership, and unwavering service to the nation.

The ceremony recognized the indispensable role Warrant Officers play in building combat-ready formations through their expertise, mentorship, and commitment to developing the next generation of military leaders. As the Army’s premier technical experts, Warrant Officers provide specialized leadership across a broad range of career fields, including aviation, cyber, intelligence, logistics, engineering, and military bands, ensuring the force remains agile, capable, and mission ready. The anniversary also honored the enduring legacy of the Army Warrant Officer Corps while reaffirming the District of Columbia National Guard’s commitment to readiness, professionalism, and service in support of the nation’s capital. Since the establishment of the Army Warrant Officer Corps in 1918, Warrant Officers have served as trusted advisors, innovative problem-solvers, and technical leaders whose expertise enables mission success across every operational environment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Arthur M. Wright)

Army Aviation senior leaders, state and local elected officials, and family members of PFC Garfield M. Langhorn cut the ribbon on the 76,000 square-foot PFC Garfield M. Langhorn Advanced Individual Training Complex on Fort Rucker during a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony July 9, 2026. Photo by Leslie Herlick.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border in support of Operation Ardent Vanguard, pose for a portrait to document personnel readiness prior to conducting a night aerial monitoring mission to maintain situational awareness along the U.S.-Mexico border near El Cajon, Calif., June 15, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border. (Dept. of War photo by Sgt. Nathan Hislop)

U.S. Army Spc. Kastens assigned to 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, observes the flight path of the trail CH-47 Chinook, during a port ops flight to Gdańsk, Poland, on June 8, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Dean Johnson)

Our 2026 AAAA Annual Warfighting Summit in Nashville April 15-17 was INCREDIBLE! The four pillars of AAAA; Networking, Recognition, Voice and Support were evident in everything that was presented. I wish each and every one of our 20,000+ members could have shared the experience.

This was the biggest AAAA Summit ever! Measured by every metric from registration and industry participation to international attendance and AAAA Chapter leadership participation, it was the best ever! But what was even more important, I think, was that it was also the most effective ever!

I make this effectiveness assessment based on the presentations, the discussions they generated, and the exchange of ideas among our Army Aviation family, including acquisition, research and development, drones, special operations, future concepts and maintenance and sustainment.

The focus on warfighting brought everyone together in a networking environment that I am sure will lead to real world results and effects for our Soldiers.

From the heartfelt Keynote from the Under Secretary of the Army, Michael Obadal, a retired Colonel and Army Aviator himself, to the “Rockstar of the 2026 Summit”, 105 year old WWII veteran and Army L-4 Piper Cub crew Chief, SSG Dominic Critelli, who played the National Anthem on his soprano saxophone for the presentation of the colors in the opening ceremony, it was an INCREDIBLE event! Highlighting our “Recognition pillar”, you will see in the photo wrap up of the Summit starting on page 40 of this issue, that we inducted three amazing heroes into the Army’s Aviation Hall of Fame and presented all the National unit and individual awards.

We started with those from the AAAA-sponsored Army Best Drone Warfighting Competition awards back in February and proceeded through Department of the Army Civilian (DAC), Crew Chief, Soldier, Aviator and ARNG, USAR, Active and overall Outstanding Unit, among others. What a treasure it was to hear young Soldiers’ humble acceptance remarks. It made us all realize once again why the U.S. Army is the greatest land warfare force in the world.

Special thanks to Aviation Branch Chief, MG Clair Gill, as well as the other members of the Army Aviation General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC), for all they and their teams did to make sure the program was worthwhile and tracked with Army leadership intent. Special thanks to the Undersecretary of the Army for not only presenting an inspirational keynote address, but then all the time he spent visiting with Soldiers, attending events like the Hall of Fame and visiting with Industry Partners on the exhibit floor.

Additional thanks and appreciation to our exceptional AAAA National Staff, especially Bill Harris, Janis Arena, Laura Arena, Chelsea Jarvis, Art Agnew and Joanne Hansrote, the National Executive Group and Board and our stand-in “Voice of God”, Michael Dudley, who performed his announcer duties flawlessly, and on short notice!

All that above being said, we are not resting on our laurels. We have already held one in-progress review (IPR) on-site for next year’s Summit, May 5-7, 2027 in Kansas City, MO. As a result of the tremendous success of this year’s Summit in Nashville, I am pleased to report that the exhibit hall in Kansas City is already 80% sold for 2027.

Finally, your six-member AAAA National Executive Group (NEG) is headed to AAAA Headquarters in Connecticut in June for our annual meeting to ensure that we remain “on course, on glidepath” for the next year as well as assessing how we have done over the last 12 months. This in-person strategy session has proved invaluable to the success of our organization over the years and ensures AAAA remains relevant and effective in its support of Army Aviation Soldiers and Families!

Above the Best!

MG Wally Golden, U.S. Army Retired
37th President, AAAA
walter.golden@quad-a.org

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Security Support Aviation Battalion (SSAB), 151st Aviation Regiment, South Carolina Army National Guard, participate in a change of command ceremony held at the Army Aviation Support Facility, location 2, Donaldson Center, Greenville, Eastover, South Carolina, Jun. 7, 2026. During the event, the outgoing commander, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew L. Summey, relinquished command to the incoming commander, U.S. Army Maj. Sean A. Brookshire. Distinguished visitors, families, friends, and colleagues attended the ceremony which culminated with the traditional passing of the colors, the symbolic transfer of authority from a commander to the next; furthermore, the passing of the colors represents an act of continuity of command and leadership in a military unit. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Di Giovine)

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason Missenheim, a rotary wing aviator, with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) takes a photo with Lt. Col. Gregory Moynihan, Commanding Officer of 1st Recruit Training Battalion (right) Lt. Col. Michael Masters Jr. (left) Training Officer at Headquarters G3, and Maj. Martin Kuhnle, Operations Officer at Weapons and Field Training Battalion on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., June 16, 2026. Missenheim spent nine years in the Marine Corps, he attended recruit training with 1st Recruit Training Battalion on Parris Island and returns for his final flight as he prepares to retire. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas White)