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)

An Oregon Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, based in Pendleton, Oregon, lands at Sandy River Airport in Sandy, Oregon, on June 5, 2026, during a joint training exercise with the Clackamas Fire Department and other first responders. The Water Rescue Team Air Mobility Exercise simulated a flood scene in Clackamas County, Oregon, with combined teams executing waterborne operations and hoisting simulated victims along the Sandy River. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

U.S. Army air traffic control operators assigned to Task Force Saber, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, pose for a photo alongside Philippine Army Sgt. Jennifer Guevarra, an air traffic control operator assigned to the Air Traffic Service Platoon,in the air traffic control tower during Exercise Salaknib 2026 at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 23, 2026. Exercise Salaknib highlights the enduring U.S.-Philippine alliance, enhancing interoperability and readiness through combined-arms operations, multi-domain integration, and humanitarian assistance efforts to support regional stability. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Olivia Cowart)

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina – For U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dustin Haubner, a recent deployment to Bosnia was about more than moving aircraft and patients. As a Kentucky Army National Guard aeromedical evacuation officer, his mission was to build bridges—between nations, services, and the Service members who depend on his team to save lives.

Haubner deployed with his unit, Detachment 1, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment (MEDEVAC), in support of NATO operations in Southeastern Europe. Once in theater, his unit integrated into the larger Task Force Aviation, where they became a critical link between medical providers and the personnel in the region who needed them.

Working alongside the mission’s medical element, Task Force Medical (TF MED), Haubner’s team transported personnel and equipment between Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, and Camp Butmir, Bosnia.

“Our role wasn’t just transport,” said Haubner. “We worked with Bosnian and Romanian forces to share knowledge, demonstrate hoist operations, and build a foundation for future joint missions.”

This collaboration was put into practice during a live hoist demonstration with Romanian and Bosnian medical teams. They participated in training modules covering everything from aircrew familiarization to real-time patient extraction scenarios, giving them firsthand experience with U.S. procedures and equipment.

“The most valuable outcome was building relationships face-to-face with our NATO counterparts,” Haubner said. “Understanding each other’s capabilities ensures that when a real-world mission happens, we’re ready. These joint events are opportunities to strengthen interoperability, deepen trust, and enhance our joint-allied capabilities, which is the very foundation of what makes us a force multiplier across the region.”

Under Haubner’s leadership, what began as a logistical challenge, became a strategic success. The MEDEVAC team supported TF MED in delivering direct healthcare services to those stationed at Camp Butmir—eliminating the need for lengthy travel to Kosovo and creating a framework for improving emergency response and future medical support in the region.

“Our goal is long-term sustainment,” said U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Piazza, the senior medical NCO with TF MED who worked with Haubner. “Medical support at Camp Butmir is now a proven asset, and we want to ensure continuity for the units that come after us.”

Through his leadership, Haubner and his team not only brought healthcare closer to Soldiers in Bosnia but also reinforced NATO’s ability to respond together, proving that the Kentucky National Guard plays a vital role on the international stage.

This mission is now seen as a critical first step in a committed effort, establishing a framework for future rotations to sustain care and strengthen interoperability among NATO partners.

Tennessee Army National Guard Soldiers with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), and Colorado Army National Guard Soldiers with Company A, 2-135th Aviation Regiment pose for a photo with students from Dositej Obradović High School during a Public Safety Day event at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, April 17, 2026. The event, hosted by KFOR Regional Command-East, allowed students to learn about emergency response procedures and interact with first responders while reinforcing KFOR’s mission to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Azavyon McFarland)

Photo by Patrick Bray

First-grade students from Humphreys West Elementary School learn about a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at the 3rd Battalion, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion on Desiderio Army Airfield, Camp Humphreys, April 15.

Through this STEM initiative – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – students received a hands-on orientation to flight operations and aviation missions ranging from air assault to medical evacuation. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick Bray/Released)