UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, operated by soldiers of Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (MEDEVAC), Connecticut Army National Guard, takeoff at the Army Aviation Support Facility, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, Feb. 7, 2023. Soldiers from the 126th are deploying to the Central Command Area of Responsibility in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew Lucibello)

As a college athlete, standout student, and one of the first Army ROTC Cadets from Benedict College to branch aviation in over 30 years, Corey Witter knows he wouldn’t be where he is today without family.

After losing his mother to breast cancer at the age of 14, Witter’s older brother, Jahleel, stepped in as his legal guardian, giving Witter the assurance and guidance he needed to focus on accomplishing his goals and join the military.

“No matter what you go through there’s a lot you can do even with limited opportunities.” Witter said. “You have to make the most of what’s been handed to you and then go from there. It always works out.”

From the get-go, Witter’s family determined their strength would not be sidetracked by hardship – and they certainly experienced their fair share of obstacles.

Sandra, Witter’s mom, battled chronic illness her entire life, including diabetes, heart problems and kidney issues. She was unable to work because of her health limitations.

Seeking family support, Sandra moved herself and her two boys from Beaufort, South Carolina to Kansas in 2002 where her younger sister, the boys’ aunt, was located.

For nine years they lived together with their aunt’s family until her death in 2011.

“We moved back to Beaufort because my aunt passed away from breast cancer,” Witter said.

Mourning the loss of her sister, Sandra took a realistic look at her illness battles and knew a move back to Beaufort had to happen. It was a difficult transition for the boys, but they needed to be close to family.

“She’d be in and out of the hospital from all of the things she had, and she had so many different things going on health-wise,” Jahleel said.

It wasn’t long after their move home to Beaufort that the family received news that Sandra had breast cancer.

She began treatment immediately.

Witter, who was 12 at the time, remembers his mom’s positive outlook regarding the internal battle her body was fighting.

“Even though you could see she was sick, you would never know with how she acted,” Witter said. “She was probably one of the strongest people I have ever seen in my life as far as trying to be positive even when everything around you isn’t positive.”

Jahleel saw his mom’s strength as well, but being six years older and involved in her daily healthcare, he remembers a much different side of the story.

“She told me something along the lines of, ‘I’m not going to be here forever, so you’ve got to make sure that you look out for your brother. All of the things that you know, I need you to be able to do when I’m gone because you’re all I have and I want you to be there for your brother,’” Jahleel said.

As time progressed, Sandra’s cancer went terminal.

Witter recalls her continuously sunny outlook, even as time was running out.

“After she stopped chemo, we had to basically accept that it was going to happen. It wasn’t like when somebody all of the sudden passes away, this was different in that you knew it was coming for months in advance.”

Naturally quiet, Witter didn’t broadcast his emotions or allow others to know what was happening at home.

“When I was at school, I didn’t necessarily talk about anything that was going on,” Witter said. “Maybe one or two people knew, but nobody else really knew what was happening.”

Sandra Witter passed away October 30, 2014 with her boys at her side.

The boys were just 20 and 14-years-old.

Life happened quickly, and both boys had to step up to the plate.

Jahleel took on a full-time job and became Corey’s legal guardian.

“I told him I would do what I can to make sure everything was good, and that’s what I did,” Jahleel said.

“He focused on his grades and school, and I focused on taking care of everything.”

Witter seized this opportunity and threw himself into excelling in his studies and extracurricular activities. On top of being a straight-A student, he played football, basketball and track.

“I like being occupied. I’m not really the type of person that likes to sit around,” Witter said. “When I don’t do a lot, it just feels like something is missing or like I should be doing something else.”

While balancing his activities, Witter also began looking ahead to life after high school. The military was something he’d been interested in and was “always towards the top of the list” when it came to future careers.

His sophomore year, he tested the water by joining his high school’s Air Force JROTC program.

“I signed up just to see what it was like – like a test.” he said. “I stayed in because I ended up liking the structure and the vibe and it felt like it fit me.”

The program pushed Witter out of his reserved shell and presented leadership opportunities that continued to grow his interest in joining the military.

“He was always devoted to the goal. It’s one of the things that stands out even today. He’s more focused,” Jahleel said.

After graduating from Beaufort High School in 2018, Witter made the decision to attend Benedict College, a historically black college (HBCU), on a full academic scholarship. He also joined the school’s track team as a decathlete.

He focused on his studies and athletics until fate stepped in one morning during track practice.

Anthony Robertson is the Benedict College ROTC Coordinator, he’s also an Army ROTC alumnus of Benedict College. He noticed Witter and his teammates warming up and walked over to speak with them about the ROTC program.

“He came up to me and a couple other people one day, and I was listening, but it was going in one ear and out the other. I wasn’t really interested whatsoever,” Witter said.

Robertson confirms that Witter’s attention seemed elsewhere. But, to his surprise, Witter showed up outside his office a few weeks later.

“He said, ‘You’re in charge of ROTC?’ and I said, ‘Yes, I am,’ and he said, ‘I would like to join,’” Robertson recalls.

After meeting Robertson that morning on the track field, he was convinced ROTC wasn’t for him, but fate began to work their way into his daily life.

“I started thinking about what I was going to do after I graduated college and then I started seeing Cadets walking around campus in their uniforms,” Witter said.

He stopped some of the Cadets to talk about the program and their experiences.

“I just felt like it was a good opportunity; it would be stable income – a guaranteed job,” he said.

Witter found himself in Robertson’s office just days later signing up to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

“The rest is history. He was serious, he was all the way locked in,” Robertson said. “He was a great athlete, he was a great student, his GPA was high, he was a Campus Cadet with the Campus Police Department, and so the bench point for greatness started right then.”

Witter cut his hair, enlisted in the Army National Guard, and took a semester off to attend Basic Advanced Individual Training.

Back from training and officially enrolled in Army ROTC, Witter began to look at his future options. Already a Criminal Justice major, he thought joining the Military Intelligence branch would partner well with his current studies…until he was introduced to helicopters.

“We had a brief on aviation that was really interesting and that changed my whole mindset about what I wanted to do,” Witter said.

Robertson also pushed Witter to think about pursuing the aviation branch and flying helicopters.

“I encouraged him to do some research on it, and I also encouraged him to research the percentage of African Americans who fly helicopters,” Robertson said.

Of the 144 Army ROTC Cadets who branched aviation and will commission this year, only six were African American.

After his research and decision to branch aviation, Witter began studying for the Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT).

The SIFT is a measure of multiple aptitudes, focusing mainly on S.T.E.M.

The SIFT is the first hurdle Witter had to cross to qualify for aviation service. Weeks of studying led to the exam day, and then Witter had to wait.

“After studying and testing he came back with the highest score the ROTC program had ever seen,” Robertson said. “He did everything else right in the ROTC program, so he’s going aviation.”

“I knew Corey had what it takes to be great…He fits everything that embodies being a college student, an ROTC student, he serves in the national guard,” Robertson adds. “He’s a shining example, who I encourage students to pattern themselves behind.”

Witter’s future was confirmed this past fall when he was selected for aviation. He’ll be heading to Ft. Rucker, Alabama to learn how to fly Chinook helicopters after commissioning.

“There’s a lot of things you can do in military, but I feel like flying is one of the biggest things that you can do and it’s one of the greatest opportunities that I’ve seen so far and one of the most interesting,” he said.

Witter also finds the civilian career options for aviators appealing as he plans to one day fly airplanes for a major airline.

Even as Witter knocks out goals toward his future, his brother, Jahleel, is still very present in his life.

“He comes first that’s just how it is,” Jahleel said. “When I made the promise to my mom that I would take care of him, I meant that on all aspects of anything that I could possibly do to make things better or his life easier, it’s what I do.”

Witter took his brother’s promise to heart, and it resonates with him today, remaining a prime focus for his leadership intentions as a future officer in the Army.

“Him putting his life on pause, it was a really big sacrifice for me, and that’s what drives me,” Witter said. “I’m not an aggressive leader but having the experiences that I do – most people haven’t had their parents die – so carrying that with me will help me understand how to treat people and understand their experiences.”

Soldiers with Bravo Company, 2-10 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 10th combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division conducted a routine flight around Fort Drum, N.Y. on December 21, 2022. The UH60 Blackhawk has been in service since 1979. (U.S. Army Photos by Pfc. Kaylan Joseph)

FORT DRUM, N.Y – Maj. Tyler Smith of the Charlie Company, 3-10 General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade hosted medical personnel from Samaritan Medical Center on, Jan. 26, where they were able to have an in-depth discussion on the medical evacuation, or medevac, capabilities offered here on and off post.

Medical personnel included the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Andy Short, Medical Director of the Emergency Services Dr. Meja Gray and Chair of Emergency Medicine Sarah Delaney who were able to tour the facility, an HH-60M Black Hawk and a CH-47F Chinook.

The walk-through allowed each party to ask questions and make suggestions on how to better implement their services alongside their partners, LifeNet Health, who also serve the North Country when medevac services are necessary.

“It’s important to note that this is in conjunction with LifeNet,” said Smith. “We’re also providing the service to Soldiers and Family members of Fort Drum.”

This partnership between Samaritan, LifeNet and Fort Drum is vital to show that not only can services be provided here on the post, but they can also be called upon as an option when emergencies arise.

Staff Sgt. Casey Chandler, a flight medic who is also New York state certified as a paramedic, has been in position for over a year, also believes this relationship between Samaritan and Fort Drum is incredibly important.

“It’s hugely important for us to be able to help our community,” mentions Chandler. “help the North Country and be able to treat patients.”

By fostering these relationships, beginning with the walk-through, shows how prepared and well trained the Army medical personnel are when the mission arises. Not only with training but the 14 Black Hawks used for medevac operations outfitted with all-weather capabilities equipment. This means when the civilian helicopters cannot fly through the icy skies, Fort Drum personnel can, shared Smith.

“We are definitely prepared for that, we train for that constantly,” states Chandler. “To be able to perform in inclement weather conditions and perform any type of mission”

Gray, Delaney and Short were given the option to view the duty room, where flight personnel wait in receipt of the mission. They were then escorted to view and get inside of a Black Hawk while touring the available medical components to help patients and even view the inside of a Chinook, to showcase the option to move more than one evacuee at a time.

Not having an on-post hospital, where a lot of the mission would resemble patient transfers to facilities with higher level of care, means that being able to offer these services would be beneficial to the community and to our service members and their families, says Smith.

“This has given our emergency department physician leadership a chance to really understand what the capabilities are of the 10th CAB Medics,” said Short. “Give them a comfort level that when and if we need to call on them, that they’re in good hands and our physicians are comfortable with that.”

Having the 10th CAB MEDEVAC team showcase the capabilities to the physician leadership at Samaritan Medical Center is the steppingstone to building a strong partnership in the future.

“I hope it manifests in the nest time that there’s a service member, family member or DoD beneficiary that needs to be moved,” reflects Smith. “And all other resources have been exhausted that they think of us.”

Republic of Korea Army Lt. Gen. Ret. Chun, In-Bum sits in the door way of a HH-60M Blackhawk helicopter after receiving a capabilities brief of the medical evacuation capabilities of the aircraft. Members of Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF) visits the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division as part of their visit to Camp Humphreys. The members of PIEF were given a capabilities brief of the UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47F Chinook helicopters. (U.S. Army Courtesy Photo by Sgt. First Class Joshua Threadgill)

U.S. Army air defenders from Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment completed sling load training at their forward-deployed site near the Black Sea on Jan. 25. They are deployed in support of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Romania.

“Having our Soldiers train on sling-load operations not only provides the commander some flexible employment options, but tactically it allows us to conduct some deep maneuver and air assault operations with the units that we are supporting,” said Capt. Nathan Jackson, the commander of Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.

The unit practiced sling loading both the Avenger and the Sentinel A3 radar variant, which is one of the first times this has been done with the Sentinel in theater.

The Avenger weapon system is an all-terrain, all-weather air & missile defense system that is capable against rotary-wing, fixed-wing, unmanned aircraft, and cruise missiles while the Sentinel A3 provides early warning detection and identification of aerial threats.

Just days after the invasion began, Avenger short-range air defense Soldiers and equipment from 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment deployed to Romania to help assure our NATO Ally that we are committed to our obligations under Article 5, and to deter any potential acts of aggression against NATO by providing short-range air defense of Allied forces. Elements of 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment have maintained deployments in Romania, Slovakia, and Poland since early 2022.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for air defense soldiers to see this side of air assault operations, to be able to build/expand their toolkits with these capabilities. I received a lot of positive feedback from the Soldiers as this is something they don’t get to do every day, to help build these capabilities for our future operations,” said Jackson.

Charlie Battery was supported by a Chinook helicopter crew from Bravo Company, 2-501, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, who are also deployed to Romania as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa has led the Department of Defense’s Atlantic Resolve land efforts by rotating units from CONUS to Europe since April, 2014. There are four types of U.S. Army Atlantic Resolve rotations – armored, aviation, sustainment task force, and division headquarters. Rotational units conduct bilateral, joint, and multinational training events across more than a dozen countries. Atlantic Resolve is funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, which enables the U.S. to enhance deterrence, increase readiness, and support NATO.

AAAA President’s Cockpit / MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired:

I hope everyone has recovered from last month’s Summit in Nashville. If you could not make it, you missed our largest and what many are declaring our best AAAA Summit ever. It may have taken us three years to get there, but the 2022 AAAA Annual Summit by all metrics was a huge success. You could just feel the energy throughout the briefings, down on the floor and at the social events. Navigating the last six months leading up to the Summit were high adventure indeed as COVID cases rose and fell and rose and fell, but at the end of the day our timing was just right.

From the ribbon cutting on Sunday, April 3, 2022, with the Chief, GEN McConville, Chief of National Guard, GEN Hokanson and the Six-Pack Plus one, to the final Soldier Appreciation Concert on Wednesday night, the event could not have gone better. Finally getting together again in real time, with real people, in a real place was a real pleasure and was enabled by YOUR AAAA team. From record attendance at 8,000, to all-time high exhibit revenue, the 2022 Summit was an outstanding event, focused on our AAAA Pillars.

That said, the 2022 Summit literally would not have happened if it was not for the strong and sustained support of our Branch Chief, MG Dave Francis and his team. The encouragement and particularly the expertise and professionalism they displayed in getting the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army’s questions answered and securing the final approval for military attendance at the Summit on March 10, 2022 was off the charts. During our semi-annual meeting, the National Executive Board (NEB) recognized Branch Command Surgeon, COL (Doctor) Nicole Powell-Dunford with a Silver Order of St Michael and a AAAA lifetime membership. Nicole is the one that shepherded us through the wickets to a low-risk health assessment by Health Command on March 4, 2022 that helped pave the way for the AASA’s decision.

Combined with our event cancellation insurance from the last two years, our Association has emerged from the pandemic at an all-time financial strength in terms of both assets and net earnings, and this 2022 Summit has only improved on that. Membership is also surging with almost 19,000 members, a recent record.

Special thanks to all our industry Corporate Members who stuck with us through two cancelled Summits, many of them simply rolling the money paid for their exhibits from year to year. Our industry partners are key members of our association; we could not be successful without them. As many of you know, AAAA has not raised its individual membership dues since 1998. Exhibit sales at the Summit each year makes this possible by offsetting the deficit in dues. Thank you industry partners!

Make sure you flip back to the full photo review of the Summit starting on page 42 to get a real feel for the event. If you were not able to join us this year, put it on the calendar for next year April 26-28, 2023. You won’t be disappointed!

As I continue my trek around to all our 79 chapters, (I have visited 36 so far), my purpose is to emphasize that chapters and their members are what we are all about. The chapters provide the most relevant personal experience to our members on a month-to-month basis. I challenge you and encourage you to gather frequently offering professional development, networking, comradery, and yes, just plain fun. What a great opportunity for leaders to mentor and embrace their aviation teams. We at AAAA National are here to help you facilitate your chapter activities.
After seeing all the Soldiers, civilians, and industry members, the technology, and the energetic spirit at the AAAA Annual Summit a few weeks ago, I have to say there is no doubt that together AAAA and the Army Aviation Branch are truly… Above the Best!

MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired
35th President, AAAA

1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
Story by Capt. Taylor Criswell
Sunday, March 20, 2022
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By. Capt. Taylor Criswell

BAD WINDSHEIM, Germany – U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, currently on rotation to Europe for Atlantic Resolve, took an opportunity last week to build community relations and internal comradery by entering the annual Bad Windsheim Wine Tower Run on March 20.

Col. Reggie Harper, Command Sgt. Maj. Tyrone Murphy and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Durrer ran in the race, as did other leaders from the brigade.

1st Lt. Will Derrick of Charlie Company, 2-227, an avid athlete who competed in the Armed Forces Triathlon Championship last September, also participated in the Wine Tower Run with Air Cav and was impressed with the layout of the event.

“It was interesting to get to run through the historic areas of Bad Windsheim,” said Derrick. “It was cool to see the town come out and support the race, and you could tell they had a lot of pride in their event.”

Although there are not currently permanent-party Soldiers stationed at Storck Barracks near Bad Windsheim, there were for many years. Each rotational Army aviation unit has done its part to maintain strong relationships with the surrounding communities.

Storck Barracks has been the home to the Atlantic Resolve rotational aviation forces since 2017. But, for many years prior, Storck housed the 11th Aviation Brigade, during which time the American Soldiers were very much a part of the local communities.

“It is important for us as the rotational units to remember that we are guests in these communities,” explained Maj. Kurt Hunt, Brigade Executive Officer, and former semi-pro and All-Army soccer star who also ran in the race. “Participating in events like this allows us to interact with the public positively and enhance the already strong bond between the U.S. Army and the people of Germany.”

2022 was the first time the race was able to happen since the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a challenge since COVID for Soldiers to interact with the community.

“I have encountered nothing but exceptional people here in Germany,” said Capt. Chuck Leonard, AH64 pilot and adjutant to the brigade commander. “We are lucky to be stationed in such a supportive area where the locals welcome us into their community. This race was just one example of the meaningful and mutually embracing bonds we share with the people here in Middle Franconia.”

Races and community engagements are slowly repopulating as restrictions gradually become sparser in the region.

“This was a great way to meet the people whose country we are visiting,” Derrick mentioned. “It removes a lot of the mystery and unknowns about us and provides us the chance to interact as regular people.”

President’s Cockpit / MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired:  

Well, it is finally here, our first AAAA Annual Summit in three years. It has been some roller coaster ride through years of pandemic, shut-downs, masks, social distancing and all the rest.  Let’s pray it is finally coming to a close.

I want to first thank all our 18,000-plus members and especially our 79 chapters, for all you have done and endured during these most difficult times. You and your families have inspired all of us on the National Executive Board, and me personally as I have travelled to almost half our chapters over the last year.

Special thanks also to MG Jeff Schloesser who helped steer us through two cancelled Summit’s and in fact is the only AAAA President to have never presided over our annual meeting. As Jeff noted, it would have been easier to hold the summits.

Also want to recognize our Branch Chief, MG Dave Francis; he could not have been more supportive and encouraging through all this. In fact, the entire “Six Pack” leadership has stepped up to support you, our members, going above and beyond to keep our association strong.

As we gather together April 3-5, 2022, we have yet another record year of scholarship awards, record exhibit sales and record attendance at this year’s Summit. We are also launching our new Trade-school, Licensing, and Certification Foundation to help you get you’re A&P, CDL, or whatever skill certification you need to succeed in the future. We will be presenting our normal annual awards but also some AAAA Presidential Awards from the last two years and for this year. I will be asking Jeff Schloesser to help me present the awards from his tenure.

From the chapter workshops to the closing Soldier Appreciation Concert this event is all about our total community from junior Soldier to senior leader, to retired, veterans, and members of industry. This is the biggest Army Aviation event of the year and time to pause to reflect, rekindle old friendships, make new ones, and contribute to the critical conversation to find training, materiel, and doctrine solutions to the many challenges we face around the world.

We will be working all four pillars of the AAAA Mission Statement hard during the Summit. Networking, Recognition, Voice and Support are what AAAA is all about. Make sure you participate so together we can best achieve the AAAA Mission “Supporting the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family.”   If you can’t make it to the Summit, take a few minutes to go online and update your contact info and your chapter affiliation on the AAAA website.

As we come together for our first opportunity since the Cribbins Symposium back in November, let’s stay mindful of all the past sacrifices that have been made by our Army Aviation Family, and let’s look forward enthusiastically to what lies ahead for us and our AAAA professional organization.

I look forward to seeing you around the exhibit floor and the various professional program events at the Summit.

See you there.

MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired
35th President, AAAA

Induction into the Order of Saint Michael is intended to recognize individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion of Army Aviation in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient’s seniors, subordinates, and peers. These individuals must also demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and moral character, display an outstanding degree of professional competence, and serve the United States Army Aviation or civilian aviation community with distinction.

Our recent inductees include:

March/April 2022 Issue 

Aviation Center Chapter

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY KELLY MORRIS

CW4 (Ret.) Gary Pruyne is inducted into the Gold Honorable Order of St. Michael by AAAA National President, MG (Ret.) Tim Crosby, and Army Aviation Branch Chief MG David J. Francis during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum Jan. 28, 2022. Pruyne was recognized for his significant contributions over a lifetime of service to the Army Aviation community, its Soldiers and families. From over 900 hours of combat time as a crew chief in Vietnam to his long years of service as an instructor pilot and subject matter expert for the UH-1 and AH-1 aircraft, to serving as an SP and IE in the OH-58 and TH-67, to closing out his career training aviators in the UH-72, he is the epitome of an Army Aviation professional.

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Mount Rainier Chapter

CHAPTER PHOTO BY SGT COBY CLARK

CW5 Jesse W. Lee is inducted into the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michael, by COL Christopher Vine, Director of Aviation, First Corps G-3 Aviation during a Jan. 31, 2022 ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. Lee was recognized for more than 20 years of Army Aviation dedicated service culminating as the Senior Aviation Plans Officer, First Corps G-3 Aviation.

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CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

CW4 Raphael Lopez the senior Air Traffic and Airspace management technician for America’s First Corps G-3 Aviation, is inducted into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael by COL Christopher Vine, Director of Aviation, First Corps G-3 Aviation during a Jan. 31, 2022 ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. Lopez was recognized for more than 26 years of service as an Air Traffic Control Operator and Air Traffic and Airspace Management Technician.

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Northern Lights Chapter

CHAPTER PHOTO BY MS. TONYA COLLIER

COL Adam W. Lange is inducted into the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michael by chapter senior VP, CW4 (Ret.) Eric Collier (right), and Mr. Robert “Ski” Marcinkowski, chapter treasurer, on Jan. 27, 2022 at Fort Wainwright, AK. Lange was recognized for 30 years of service to the Army., most of which were as an Aviation officer; numerous operational deployments to include Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve; and culminating as the deputy commander for support of U.S. Army Alaska.

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Savannah Chapter

CHAPTER PHOTO BY CPL KRISTOPHER LARKIN

CW5 Brandon W Helms poses with his wife, two daughters and son following his induction into the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michael on Jan. 21, 2022 at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA by COL Eric Vanek, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Commander. Helms was recognized for 25 years of dedicated support to Army Aviation to include a maintenance evaluator with the USAACE Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization, aircraft maintenance manager and government flight representative at DCMA Boeing, and culminating as the CAB Maintenance Officer.

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Tarheel Chapter

CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTOSFC Edgar “Todd” Bowers is inducted into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael by chapter president, LTC Mark Pickett on Dec. 4, 2021 during the North Carolina National Guard Annual Aviation Safety Conference at Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh. Bowers was recognized for over 20 years of dedicated service to include personally conducting multiple lifesaving rescues with the NC Helicopter Aquatic Rescue (HART) program and instrumental in the development of the SOP and hoist techniques used in the program.

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CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

1SG Leo E. Gosney, 1SG of HHC/1-130th Attack Battalion, NCARNG, is inducted into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael by chapter president, LTC Mark Pickett on Jan. 8, 2022 during a ceremony at VFW Post 7383 in Cary, NC. Cary was recognized for his over 20 years of dedicated AGR service in support of Army Aviation to include multiple deployments in support of Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve on the occasion of his change of duty to battalion operations senior noncommissioned officer.

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CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

COL Michele P. Harper, 449th Combat Aviation Brigade Commander, is inducted into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael by chapter president, LTC Mark Pickett on Dec. 4, 2021 during the North Carolina National Guard Annual Aviation Safety Conference at Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh. Harper, a Master Army Aviator with over 2,000 flight hours and a combat veteran of OIC, was recognized for her accomplishments supporting Army Aviation to include, being the first female to serve as an aviation brigade commander and state army aviation officer in the NCNG.

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February 2022 Issue

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Lindbergh Chapter

LTC (Ret.) Roger J. Sulzer is inducted into the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michael by chapter president David J. Weller (left) and Senior VP Timothy Hughes on Dec. 16, 2021 during the chapter holiday party at the Granite City Food & Brewery, St. Louis, MO. Sulzer was recognized for 20 years as an Army aviator with two tours in Vietnam and assignments in the Aviation test community; his many years assisting companies with procurement advice; and being one of the founding members of the Gateway Chapter of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation.

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LTC (Ret.) William D. Wolfinger is inducted into the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michael by chapter president David J. Weller (left) and Senior VP Timothy Hughes on Dec. 16, 2021 during the chapter holiday party at the Granite City Food & Brewery, St. Louis, MO. Wolfinger was recognized for his successful aviation related career to include several assignments as an Aviation Maintenance Officer, service in the Secretary of the General Staff Office at the Aviation Systems Command and his last assignment in the Pentagon in charge of Special Programs. After the Army he went to work at McDonnell Douglas which was purchased by Boeing.

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Ms. Jan Garmon is inducted into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael by chapter president, David J. Weller on Dec. 16, 2021 during the chapter holiday party at the Granite City Food & Brewery, St. Louis, MO. She was recognized for a professional career supporting Army Aviation with service in both the Program Manager Offices and the Engineering Directorate in Huntsville, AL and following retirement her support to the Lindbergh chapter as Secretary and then as VP for Member Engagement.

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North Star Chapter

MAJ (P) David Wagner, executive officer of the 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion in St. Paul, MN, was inducted into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael by AAAA National President, MG (Ret.) Tim Crosby, and COL Kevin O’Brien, 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade Commander (both not pictured), on Dec. 4, 2021 in Bloomington, MN. Wagner was recognized for his outstanding support of Army Aviation as he prepares to change duty and assume command of the 834th Aviation Support Battalion.

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Ms. Brenda K. Ortmann is inducted into the Honorable Order of Our Lady of Loreto by AAAA National President, MG (Ret.) Tim Crosby (left), and COL Kevin O’Brien, 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade Commander, on Dec. 4, 2021 in Bloomington, MN. She was recognized for her outstanding support of Army Aviation as the Soldier and Family Readiness Group Leader for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion.

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Tennessee Valley Chapter

Mr. Randy L. Robinson is inducted into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael by Mr. Ray K. Sellers, Special Assistant to the Program Executive Officer, Aviation, and chapter VP Government Affairs, during a Dec. 21, 2021 ceremony at Redstone Arsenal, AL. Robinson was recognized for his accomplishments as the PEO Aviation Science and Technology Lead.