A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron, 107th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard, rappels from a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard, at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, Sept. 10, 2026. The training provided Airmen an opportunity to practice rappelling techniques while strengthening interoperability between Air and Army National Guard units. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Rector)

U.S. Army Aviation Battalion Japan Soldiers deliver two boxes of supplies to local residents on Mikurajima, Japan, during the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Disaster Drill, Oct. 15, 2026. The mission demonstrated the Soldiers’ commitment to supporting disaster response efforts alongside Japanese partners. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jonathon Downs)

Representatives from Redstone Arsenal listen as 101st Combat Aviation Brigade pilots provide feedback on the Advanced Inflight Relief Universal System (AIRUS) from the cockpit of an AH-64 Apache helicopter at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Oct. 5, 2026. 101st CAB pilots tested the system’s airworthiness Oct. 5-7 as a potential solution to tactical dehydration. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Andrew Lightsey IV)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, conducted a data link integration exercise and combined arms live-fire exercise with Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment during the Skyfall proof-of-concept series at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Oct. 6, 2026. The training integrated ground-to-air target handover via Link 16, enabling air defense and aviation forces to rapidly detect, identify, track and engage enemy small unmanned aerial systems. The exercise validated a shared kill chain between ground and air assets, strengthening interoperability and advancing tactics, techniques and procedures that increase the joint force’s ability to counter emerging UAS threats in large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scyrrus Corregidor)

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)