Alaska Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk MEDEVAC aviators assigned to Golf Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, take off after completing a capabilities demonstration for students at Robert Service High School in Anchorage, Alaska, Sept. 29, 2026. The Dustoff aviators collaborated with the AKARNG’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion and Robert Service High School to showcase Guard job opportunities and answer any questions for the students in attendance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Alejandro Pena)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 16th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct emergency resupply training via sling-load operation during the U.S. Army Pacific validation for the 59th Annual Philip A. Connelly competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, September 29, 2026. 564th Quartermaster Company Soldiers executed field feeding support in a simulated combat environment and ensured successful execution of the field training exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Elijah Magaña)

Welcome to our annual Army Aviation Magazine “Blue Book” issue – a truly in-depth snapshot of our Branch from multi-component battalions and combat aviation brigades to National Guard Bureau and Department of the Army (DA) level. Our issue also includes contact information for Portfolio Acquisition Executives, as well as Project Managers and Assistant Project Managers.
Every year brings change to Army Aviation leadership, and this year is no exception. There have been a lot of changes, and it has been challenging to keep up with all the new structure and personnel changes.

By the time you read this, I (along with the other members of the AAAA National Executive Group (NEG)), will have attended the Army Aviation Center of Excellence Change of Command ceremony at Fort Rucker on August 26, 2026 from MG Clair Gill to MG Cain Baker.

AAAA and Army Aviation owes a huge debt of gratitude to our outgoing Branch Chief, and soon to be lieutenant general, Clair Gill for his leadership and unwavering support for our Aviation Soldiers and Families during his entire career, but especially during the last few years.

His leadership has been critical during a challenging period of Army Aviation Transformation, including the acceleration of FLRAA (MV-75), revamping flight training with Flight School Next, and the Branch’s embrace of drone warfare, including seizing the initiative by executing the Army’s first Best Drone Warfighter Competition this last February. Clair has been the steady hand on the controls, confidently guiding the Branch to success after success. We wish Clair and Fran all the best in their new assignment as the deputy commander, United States Southern Command.

AAAA and I are also very pleased that Aviation General Officer Steering Committee (AVGOSC) member, MG Cain Baker, who has most recently been the Director of the Future and Concepts Command Aviation Future Capability Directorate, is assuming command of the Branch from Clair. We could not be in more capable hands. We look forward to continuing to work with Cain and supporting his initiatives as he leads us into a future of increasing capabilities for our Branch and the Army.

I also would be remiss if I did not recognize the selection for promotion of several other Aviation general officers. Another member of the AVGOSC, BG David Phillips has been promoted to lieutenant general, with assignment as Military Deputy/Director, Army Acquisition Corps, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology), Pentagon, Washington, DC. David most recently served as the Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive, Maneuver Air, Redstone Arsenal, AL.

MG Phil Ryan was also recently selected for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command at Fort Bragg, NC. He most recently served as the Commanding General of United States Army South at Joint Base San Antonio.

We also congratulate MG Lori Robinson, Commanding General of Army Aviation and Missile Command, and another outstanding AVGOSC member, upon her retirement from Active Duty. Mr. Don Nitti, Deputy to the Commander AMCOM stepped up to become the acting commander on July 31, 2026.

Enjoy paging through our annual Army Aviation Magazine “Blue Book” issue and seeing who has moved where and who is responsible for what.

There is no doubt that Army Aviation continues to have the best and brightest leadership thanks to the dedication and determination of all our leaders from squad to division, as well as our newly promoted Army Aviators in Army and Joint major and combatant commands!

Above the Best!

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

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 603rd Military Police Company, 109th Military Police Battalion, prepare to lift a litter during a medical evacuation exercise as a part of the Dark Knight competition held at Ādaži Military Base, Latvia, Sept. 9, 2026. The exercise demonstrated how a squad’s ability to communicate and coordinate extends beyond its own members, bringing together ground and aviation personnel to accomplish a shared mission. V Corps is the U.S. Army’s only forward-deployed corps, serving as the senior tactical headquarters for Army forces in Eastern Europe to deter conflict and provide combat-ready forces alongside our NATO Allies. V Corps is operationalizing and expanding the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative with Allies, rapidly integrating emerging technologies into training and tactical plans. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Katherine Zimpfer, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

A Tennessee Army National Guard aviators and flight medics assigned to 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), prepare a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to support a simulated medical evacuation during a mass casualty training exercise at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Aug. 18, 2026. The exercise tested casualty evacuation procedures and strengthened interoperability among NATO partners while supporting a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Spencer Rhodes)

A new U.S. Army HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter arrives at the South Carolina Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility 1 (AASF1) on McEntire Joint National Guard Base in Eastover, South Carolina, Aug. 27, 2026. U.S. Army Maj. Stephen Johnson, AASF1 commander, was present to receive the aircraft on behalf of the 59th Aviation Troop Command, marking a key modernization milestone for the unit’s operational readiness and disaster-response capabilities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Ana-Grace Catoe)

Two M1A3 SEP V3 Abrams assigned to 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Reaper, and an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter assigned to Task Force Shikra (3-4 AHB), 4th Combat Aviation Brigade participate in a live-fire training exercise in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 10, 2026. Joint live-fire exercises increase the ability of U.S. forces and multinational partners to operate seamlessly in a joint, high-intensity environment – improving readiness, responsiveness and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Joseph Kumzak)

A U.S. HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the Charlie Company “DUSTOFF”, 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, conducts deck landing qualifications aboard the USS Cincinnati (LCS-20) in the Pacific Ocean, February 22, 2026. Flight crews trained in deck landing qualifications to increase interoperability between branches and strengthen the security of the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Katie Kolb)

A U.S. Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, 59th Aviation Troop Command, South Carolina National Guard supports special operations, parachuting training at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, Maxton, N.C., Aug. 13, 2026. The training focused on static-line and free-fall paradrops, currency, and proficiency, both for aircrews and jumpers. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Di Giovine)

A U.S. Army AH-64E Apache Guardian aircraft assigned to the 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska, flies over explosions during the Joint Forces Demonstration for the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2026. The AH-64E conducts armed reconnaissance, close combat, mobile strike, and vertical maneuver missions when required, in day, night, obscured battlefield and adverse weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Daniel Bellerive)