Current Issue Articles
Clarifying Misconceptions on COVID-19 Vaccines
Ask the Flight Surgeon – By MAJ Matthew R. Cooper, DO Let’s start with a brief synopsis of COVID-19. It is caused by a coronavirus, the same family of viruses that cause common colds. Coronaviruses cause upper respiratory infections spread by respiratory droplets (coughs, sneezes, residual mucous on hands, etc.). This is why mask wearing and hand washing are recommended to help prevent disease spread. While these prevention methods do work in reducing the spread of disease, they are not 100% effective. This is where the vaccines come into play. Currently there are three vaccines available to use against COVID-19....
Learn MoreState of the Branch
By MG David J. Francis I would like to start by thanking MG(R) Crosby, Bill Harris, Janis Arena, and the entire AAAA team for the extraordinary effort put into setting the conditions to allow this year’s Mission Solutions Summit to take place. It is long overdue that we bring the Army Aviation community and industry together to forge the future. CSM Wilson, CW5 Lewis and I are extremely proud of Army Aviation’s incredible performance over this difficult year. As the Army Aviation Community, you served our Nation exceptionally well and we thank you for your continued service as we build...
Learn MoreFilling the Gaps for Army Spouse Unemployment
AAAA Family Forum / By Denise Lewis and Judy Konitzer Our Army is the largest branch in our Armed Forces, and traditionally has the most spouses who are affected by unemployment. Many of the barriers to spouse unemployment are frequent moves, remote duty stations, deployments, Soldier availability due to scheduling, childcare, and COVID uncertainty. Among military spouses, a staggering unemployment statistic discloses unemployment (24%) and underemployment (31-51%), with these rates at a hold for years despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent by the US Department of Defense to address the issue and a complex network of nonprofit support. As...
Learn MoreCentral Sleep Apnea and Flying
by MAJ Devon Greer, MD Q: I was recently diagnosed with Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) and have my upcoming medical examination. I’ve heard of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its impact on flight status, but what is Central Sleep Apnea? Will it affect my flight status? How is it treated? Does flying affect it? FS: Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) has many of the same symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) but is significantly different. CSA occurs when the brain fails to tell the diaphragm and ribs to breathe, and that causes shortness of breath while sleeping. This tends to break up...
Learn MoreWhy We Win
Branch Chief’s Corner / By MG David J. Francis: The key component to the success of our military is the American Soldier. While modernization is an absolute imperative for our Army, it is the Soldier who is trained and ready to receive, use, and win with that new equipment that is essential. In the Aviation branch, our Soldiers fix, fly, and employ some of the most sophisticated aircraft in the world in support of the Ground Force Commander as a component of Combined Arms Maneuver. How we train, develop, and prepare our Soldiers, NCOs, Warrant Officers, and Officers is critical to provide...
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