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

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

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

Hard as it is to believe, it’s already been almost a year since our past president, MG Walt Davis, transferred the controls of AAAA to me last May. A lot has happened since then. Drone warfare, counter-drones, MV-75 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, (FLRAA), Artificial Intelligence, cyber, reorganization of our Army Aviation formations including the elimination of our Cavalry Squadrons, Syria, Venezuela, Iran and, of course, Ukraine are all shaping our Branch and the Army itself.

What has not changed is AAAA’s commitment to each and every one of you, our members, to make sure we best support you and your families through our leadership, advocacy, and determination. From our charter membership in the 6.5 million member The Military Coalition (TMC) which has achieved a significant recent victory on Veterans benefit sustainment, to sponsoring the Army’s first Drone Warfighter Competition in February at the University of Huntsville’s Drone Range,  the just finished Army Aviation Congressional Caucus meeting sponsored by AAAA in March, and even the  AAAA retired 3- and 4-star non-aviator volunteer advocacy group known as the Senior Executive Associates, held back in March chaired by retired GEN J.D. Thurman, we are working every  day  for you.

Through the four pillars of AAAA that actualize our support; specifically…Networking, Recognition, Voice, and Support, we make sure that AAAA is perceived to be relevant, effective, and truly representative of you and your families.

This Annual Summit encompasses each of those four pillars. The Chief of Staff, GEN Randy George will be helping present the national awards to include, Soldier of the Year, Aviator of the Year, Crew Chief of the Year, Active, and ARNG and USAR Units of the Year as well.  Former Army Aviator and current Under Secretary of the Army, The Honorable Mr. Mike Obadal, will be our second day keynote speaker.

Leading-edge professional development discussions will take place nonstop through our workshops, while “networking” will continue during follow-up conversations in the hallways.

The Hall of Fame inductions on Thursday evening will again be an amazing event with two Medal of Honor recipients among the Class of 2026. And of course, we will wind it all up with the Friday night informal Soldier Appreciation Concert with Dylan Scott.

I could not be prouder to help represent all of you as your AAAA President. I look forward to seeing many of you among our over 10,000 attendees in Nashville.

Above the Best!

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

As we approach the 2026 AAAA Warfighter Summit next month and the halfway point of my tenure as your President, I am reflecting on three amazing organizations that protect our legacy and invest in our future. I know that at times I have taken them for granted.

Two of the three you know very well. They are the US Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, AL, and the AAAA Scholarship Foundation.

Founded in 1956, the Museum preserves our legacy through education and displays and hosts over 100,000 visitors each year. The AAAA Scholarship Foundation Inc. was founded in 1963 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt entity and provides financial assistance to our AAAA members and families for college-level degrees. The SFI has awarded over $11 million to nearly 7,000 applicants over the years.

The newest member of our team, the Trade School, Licensing, and Certification Foundation (TLC) was established just five short years ago. TLC is also a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charity. The difference is that the TLC financially supports our AAAA members and their families who are not attending college but are pursuing careers in the trades, licensing, and certification fields.

AAAA TLC has provided financial assistance through free grants to dozens of our members and family members. When I looked at some of the recipients, I was amazed at the breath of these grants. Some examples are recipients like Luke Vesci (Master Pipe Fitter/Welder), Lucas Robinson (Welder), and both Paige Bradford, and Tanner Judd who needed Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to pursue their future business aspirations. Not surprisingly, we have also had several individuals who needed an Airframe and Powerplant License, including Nickolas Gutowsky, Ashadu Katende, and Austin Hostetter as well.

Cadet Tanner Judd applied for and received a TLC Foundation Grant, which provided him with the means to obtain his Commercial Driver’s License, an essential step toward fulfilling his financial obligations while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

There were also a number of others that caught my attention. How about Cornelius Allen becoming a Professional Brass Instrument Repair Technician, Alexis Girvin realizing her dream of becoming a Licensed Esthetician, or Kaden Douglas earning a Scuba Certification to become a Diving Medical Technician? I have only mentioned a few of the awardees of these financial grants here, but you get the idea of the breadth and depth of this program.

On the other side of the coin, we need our business partners that have skilled workforces to step up and collaborate with us by posting job opportunities on the AAAA Jobs Board. It costs no more than being an AAAA Corporate Member and only takes a moment. Whenever possible, we aim to connect grant awardees with companies that need their skills, possibly even hiring them as apprentices during their certification process. Clearly, we also need your corporate donations to the TLC so we can provide more opportunities for more of our members and their families.

The biggest ask we have is for more applicants. I was surprised when the current President of the AAAA TLC Foundation Inc. expressed his frustration about trying to give more free money away to support the future goals of so many of our AAAA members who could use the financial assistance.

AAAA Chapter Presidents take note: we have over 80 chapters but only 11 (13%) have taken advantage of this outstanding member benefit so far. We can do better than that. Make sure to get the word out to your chapter members and get those applications in! The leading chapter is the Keystone Chapter with four grant recipients, closely followed by the Tennessee Valley Chapter with three grant recipients. Well done.

Let’s all engage on this latest member benefit and support the AAAA TLC Foundation, Inc. See page 39 for an additional article by Dan Curry on how TLC can help you and your family reach your goals.

Next subject is the United States Army’s inaugural Best Drone Warfighter Competition. AAAA could not be more proud than to have sponsored this high-energy, three-day event. Held last month in Huntsville, AL, more than 200 elite small, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operators from the Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard components competed before a crowd of more than 800 attendees demonstrating how rapidly drone technology is reshaping the modern battlefield.

I think MG Clair Gill said it best when he noted that our drone operators are not only the best of the best, but that their demonstrated tactics, techniques, and procedures provide best practices we can adopt and proliferate across our warfighting skills. The excellent work accomplished by the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence was nothing short of phenomenal. Their leadership and execution allowed our drone operators to showcase to the world that the Army’s UAS professionals are among the most skilled anywhere, while highlighting the growing importance of unmanned systems across the force. See page 28 for a complete wrap up with photos of this groundbreaking competition.

Events like this underscore why AAAA remains a critical part of Army Aviation’s future. By connecting Soldiers, leaders, industry partners, and innovators, the AAAA helps ensure that emerging technologies move rapidly from concept to capability. Our association provides a forum where ideas are shared, partnerships are formed, and modernization is accelerated. As Army Aviation continues its technological leap forward, AAAA will remain committed to supporting readiness, fostering innovation, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the Army as it shapes the next generation of all our warfighters in the third dimension of ground combat.

Let me close with this, if you haven’t already, please finalize your plans now to attend the Army Aviation Association of America 2026 Army Aviation Warfighting Summit, April 15–17, 2026, in Nashville, TN. This premier gathering is the only event where the entire Army Aviation community—leaders, Soldiers, industry partners, families, and veterans—comes together with a singular focus on the future of Army Aviation. Manned Aviation, AI, Unmanned Systems, Cyber and much more are all part of the solution. Whether you serve in uniform, support from industry, or stand alongside our Soldiers as family members, the Summit is your chance to connect, contribute, and help shape the next chapter of Army Aviation. See you there.

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

Our annual Army Aviation Warfighting Summit is almost upon us! From April 15 to 17, 2026 the entire Army Aviation community will gather in Nashville, TN at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

The Summit is the one time each year when all elements of Army Aviation, from Sustainment to Acquisition; Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, Retired, members of industry and even cadets and ROTC students gather with our Army Leadership. It is another example of AAAA executing its mission of taking care of Army Aviation Soldiers and Families through our four pillars of Networking, Recognition, Voice and Support.

AAAA and Army Aviation remain in a period of continuous transformation as we prepare for the future, while remaining ready to fight tonight. The MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, (FLRAA), drones, counter-drone, artificial intelligence (AI), and cyber are integral to this year’s event. We will also ensure that the backbone of our maneuver capability; Black Hawks, Chinooks, Apaches and their crews are modernized and recognized as the best in the world! And we will continue to recognize our legacy with our aviation pioneering veterans from the Vietnam War, Cold War, Desert Storm and Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).

I know many of you are already tracking that our Branch Chief, MG Clair Gill, is now also the Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Maneuver Air. This restructuring of the acquisition process promises vastly accelerated fielding of our new systems. Recent press reports indicate that the MV-75 FLRAA will undergo an accelerated acquisition path in concert with the Chief of Staff Army (CSA) and Secretary of War’s intent to cut through bureaucracy and get equipment in the hands of our Soldiers as rapidly as possible.

I recently returned from a visit to the AAAA Badger Chapter at their annual ball held at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, WI on 10 January 2026. It was an exciting and inspirational event as the state’s Army National Guard Aviation Soldiers and Spouses gathered for an evening of recognition, entertainment and networking. I was honored to assist in the presentation of four Bronze Orders of St. Michael (OSM). I was also excited to see the recently selected Wisconsin Adjutant General (TAG), MG Matthew Straub and his wife Tina, at the ball. MG Straub is the first Army TAG in over 25 years in Wisconsin and was proudly wearing his AAAA Gold OSM. My sincere thanks to the chapter officers for their hospitality and the invitation to attend the Badger Ball – COL Dan Allen, President; LTC Nils Henderson, Sr. VP; CPT Patrick Peterson, Treasurer;  CPT Meredith Porter, VP Awards; 1LT Austin Smith, Secretary; CW4 Craig Hatfield, VP Scholarship; and MAJ Joshua Felber, VP Industrial Affairs.

Finally, by the time you read this, we will have completed the Army’s very first Best Drone Warfighter Competition at the University of Alabama Huntsville Drone Range in Huntsville, AL. The amount of hard work, attention to detail and detailed coordination between the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCOE) at Ft. Benning, Georgia and the Army Aviation Center of Excellence (AVCOE), Ft. Rucker, Alabama has been remarkable. There will be a full report in the next issue, but I want you all to know that AAAA is fully engaged in Army Aviation’s Continuous Transformation, supporting the Branch and the Army in developing this emerging capability.

If you aren’t registered already, make sure you register now for our annual Summit in April. You won’t want to miss it!

Above the Best!

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

AAAA begins this new year in great shape with membership near record levels of over 20,000 members and our strongest ever financial balance sheet. The future also looks bright as we prepare for the rapidly approaching Army Aviation Warfighting Summit April 15-17, 2026 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

By the time you read this I will have returned from visiting our Badger Chapter in Wisconsin for their annual ball and will have also attended the Aviation Senior Leaders Conference at Fort Rucker, AL.

In many respects these two very different events show the breadth and depth of AAAA’s mission statement of Supporting the Aviation Soldier and Family. From the grass roots level, in this case at a largely Reserve Component-based chapter, to the Branch policy and vision level with our senior Army and Branch leaders at Fort Rucker, AAAA is present, providing assistance through presence and resources.

In a just a few weeks, AAAA is sponsoring the inaugural annual Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition in Huntsville, AL, February 17-19, 2026. We have had a tremendous response from the most senior levels of the Pentagon, all the way down to our individual units. The three-part competition will take place in the mornings on the 2,300 acre University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) Drone Range, while the working groups will meet every afternoon at the Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center, a few minutes away.

This is an Army Soldier event coordinated by the Aviation and Maneuver Centers, but we will have a few industry partner exhibits, both at the hotel and the UAH range. Special thanks to Neros Technologies for sponsoring, supplying and supporting the standardized drones for the individual warfighter competition at the UAH Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) site at the range.

In the second phase of the competition, the tactical Hunter-Killer event teams will bring their own unmanned aircraft systems, as will the Innovation Competitors who will present their unit-built systems. Exhibits sold out almost immediately and we are going to have to expand the event for next year to accommodate the demand for everything from moving targets to counter-drone operations.

As mentioned earlier, the Annual Summit is just around the corner and we are putting the final touches on that agenda now. We will have an outstanding roster of speakers and opportunities for interaction and networking that span the breadth of the Army Aviation Enterprise from sustainment to acquisition. We’ll also showcase many of the emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), drone warfare, launched effects (LE) and of course, the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) MV-75. We’ll also continue to offer opportunities for professional career development and post-Army employment. Continuous Transformation is the name of the game as we prepare to face our peer competitors and support the Army Aviation Branch to remain agile, adaptive and lethal on the modern battlefield.

At the end of the day, everything we do from sponsoring the Army Aviation Congressional Caucus, to the millions of dollars that AAAA has provided in support of scholarships over the decades, AAAA has one goal in mind. Since AAAA’s inception in 1957, almost 70 years ago now, we have had no higher calling than to support you, your family, and your career by remaining relevant to you, the Branch, and the Army. Let us know how we can do even better.

Above the Best!

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

I am honored and humbled to have been elected as your new AAAA National President a few weeks ago at our annual Mission Solutions Summit in Nashville. I know many of you from my long Army career and even more during the past six years as the AAAA Secretary, Treasurer and Senior VP.  I look forward to meeting many more of you among our military, industry, and civilian members over the next few years.

I would like to thank our outgoing President, and my friend, MG (Ret.) Walt Davis, who led AAAA during the last two years and established such a cohesive team of your National Executive Group (NEG), including BG (Ret.) Tim Edens, now our Senior VP, and MG Todd Royar, our new Treasurer. It has been an honor to serve with and for Walt. I pledge to build on his many successes and work every day to represent you all, as we work through these times of change and challenge.

If my years in uniform taught me anything, it is that change is inevitable, and that Army Aviation and our Nation always come out better, stronger and more capable in the process. All of us at AAAA are flexing to better serve you in all of our four pillars of Networking, Recognition, Voice and Support as we embrace unmanned systems, autonomy, counter drone and all the realities of the emerging battlefield as we prepare for future conflict.

Congratulations also go out to our new NEG Secretary, BG (Ret.) Ray Davis, along with our new VP Chapters, COL (Ret.) John Broam and new VP Membership, COL (Ret.) Liz Martin. As I write this, our new NEG is meeting at the AAAA HQ in Connecticut to chart our path forward. More to follow on specific committee assignments, board appointments, etc., but I wanted to let you know that your NEG is assembled and moving out smartly.

If you have any ideas on how AAAA can serve you better, please contact me at walter.golden@quad-a.org

Above the Best!

Wally
Walter M. Golden Jr.
Major General, U.S. Army Retired
37th President, AAAA

As I scribe my last message as your AAAA National President, all indications are that we will have an exceptional Summit, just given the level of attendee registration and the record exhibit commitments from industry and our other partners; and the strong support from our Army and Aviation Branch leadership to develop and deliver a comprehensive and meaningful agenda and program of activities which showcase the strength of the entire Army Aviation community and family. In addition, we will also induct our newest Army Aviation Hall of Fame members, recognize our many outstanding individual and organizational Aviation awardees, and importantly, simply spend time together socially and professionally as a committed community.

This is what the AAAA Missional Solutions Summit is all about, the sole Army Aviation event that brings together our entire community to engage on how best to support our Army, our Branch, and most importantly, our Army Aviation soldiers and families. “Army Aviation: Ready to meet Tomorrow’s Challenges Today” is a most appropriate theme and I want to thank our Branch Chief, MG Clair Gill, for all his support and guidance, along with all the other members of the Aviation General Officers Steering Committee, in the lead up to this years Summit.

I also would like to thank the Branch Chief and the other Aviation GOSC leaders for joining MG (Ret.) Todd Royar, Mr. Bill Harris, and myself at the April 9 ‘re-boot of the Congressional Army Aviation Caucus on Capitol Hill. Well over 125 folks attended the networking reception in the Rayburn Building, to hear from our Caucus Co-Chairs, Ranking Member on Appropriations, Hon. Rosa DeLauro, (D-CT-3), and Hon. Dale Strong, (R-AL-5) along with MG Gill who laid out the Branch priorities, along with remarks from each of the Aviation GOSC leaders.

Well, as I alluded to above, “commanders come and go, and it doesn’t hurt the organization any!” Hard to believe that my term as your AAAA President is ending… time goes by in the blink of an eye. What a privilege it has been! I want to thank the National Executive Group (NEG) team; we could not have a more dedicated, engaged, and supportive group of committed, ‘Soldiers for Life.’ MG (Ret.)Wally Golden, our Senior VP (about to become your AAAA President), thank you for everything and especially for stepping in for me at last year’s event in Denver. BG (Ret.) Tim Edens our Treasurer, and MG Todd Royar our National Secretary, thank you also for all your efforts in keeping this great organization focused, successful and relevant. CW4 (Ret.) Becky Chambers our VP for Membership has done a record-setting job driving us to over 20,000 members and LTC (Ret.) Jan Drabczuk, our VP for Chapters, has managed his own record by growing our AAAA chapters to an all-time high of 83. Amazing results from an amazing team. Again, thank you all… and that goes to the entire AAAA National Executive Board which includes our many Committee Chairs … your committed service to the Association is remarkable!

And finally, my personal thanks to Mr. Bill Harris, our Executive Director, Janis Arena, CW4 (Ret.) Joe Pisano and the entire AAAA professional staff. You all are the Association’s center of gravity and heartbeat… the reason that ‘we are who we are’…completely committed and dedicated to the mission of our great Association and making things happen! Thank you!

As a soon to be a Past AAAA President at the conclusion of this Summit, I will remain engaged as Chairman of the Nominating Committee and look forward to contributing however I can to this great organization whose sole focus is “Supporting the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family”

Above the Best!

MG Walt Davis, U.S. Army Retired
36th President, AAAA
walt.davis@quad-a.org

As we enter the final days of preparation for the AAAA Annual Summit in Nashville May 14-16, 2025, we recognize the importance of your Association to serve as THE catalyst and enabler for the gathering of our entire Army Aviation Community. So grateful to be able to report that we are looking at our largest annual gathering ever in terms of attendee registration and Industry commitment and sponsorship. The Gaylord Opryland is sold out (with over 800 folks on the waiting list), exhibits are sold out, and we are opening a second exhibit area to accommodate the incredible support and commitment from our Aviation Community. Our Chief of Staff of the Army, GEN Randy George, is working around his Congressional testimony to make every effort to attend and deliver the Keynote address. And with the current world situation dramatically increasing foreign Defense budgets, International interest in meeting our exhibitors is the highest it has ever been.

Building on our ‘Four Pillars’ of actualizing our mission statement to Support the Army Aviation Soldier and Family, the Summit provides our greatest annual opportunity for realizing those Pillars – Networking, Recognition, Voice, and Support. From interacting with our Industry Partners, to attending the Aviation Hall of Fame inductions and awards ceremonies honoring our legacy and current Aviation patriots, to our closing Soldier Appreciation Concert featuring the great Craig Morgan, a committed Army Veteran, the Summit is truly the premier Army Aviation Family gathering.

Having just gathered in Huntsville, AL for AUSA Global, I again thank GEN (Ret.) J. D. Thurman and the other members of our Senior Executive Associates for their support and enduring leadership. What an impactful discussion with our Aviation General Officer Steering Committee leadership about the critical Aviation Branch priorities and challenges to determine how best to support our Army and Branch. Additionally, as I write this, we are looking forward to our Congressional Aviation Caucus event on 9 April that will help ensure key Congressional decision makers understand the posture of our Army Aviation force… and I will have had the honor to be among the AAAA Morning Calm Chapter in Korea for their annual Formal, and to be part of the GOLD Order of St. Michael presentation to one of our incredible Army and Aviation leaders, MG Hank Taylor.

There is a lot going on in our Army and especially in our Army Aviation Branch. We could not have a more dedicated, invested, and capable Army Aviation Leadership Team and we truly look forward to working with them and you together at the Summit and beyond, to ensure we know how best to support our U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family. Hope you all have a productive and FUN Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit! Know for sure your AAAA Team will always be there for you and our entire Army Aviation Family!

Above the Best!

MG Walt Davis, U.S. Army Retired
36th President, AAAA
walt.davis@quad-a.org