Current Issue Articles
What to Give Up In Order to Move Forward in 2016
Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer: So here we are having made our New Year’s resolutions, and I know that I am among the distinguished group of those who consciously did this. It all started when the Christmas decorations came down, followed by the desire to pursue a thorough house cleaning and then declutter and maybe even resolve to start downsizing. When moving frequently isn’t a consideration because the Army isn’t changing our duty station any longer, these resolutions have become even more important to me. I personally feel vindicated when I am able to take a large load of...
Learn MoreApache Helicopter Project Office Update
Rotary WIng / By COL Jeffrey E. Hager with COL (Ret.) Robin D. Cofer: The Army’s Aviation Restructure Initiative focuses the attack and scout roles on the AH-64 Apache, combined with Unmanned Aerial Systems. The Apache fleet is transitioning to one of the most technologically advanced weapon systems on the battlefield. The AH-64D Longbow Block I aircraft are completely out of Active Duty units and less than 100 exist in the Army Reserve, National Guard, and the training base at Fort Rucker. Block II Longbows will begin returning to the production facility in 2018. We begin fielding the 5th AH-64E...
Learn MoreCorneal Refractive Surgery (CRS)
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Albert J. Lee, MD: Q:Are Soldiers on flight status allowed to have corrective eye surgery like LASIK or PRK? If so, what are the differences among the types of surgeries? YOUR CAPTION HERE FS: Corneal refractive surgery is becoming widely accepted in the aviation community. Currently U.S. Army Aeromedical Activity (USAAMA or AAMA) waives three types of corneal refractive surgery – LASIK, LASEK, and PRK. For Soldiers already on flight status, careful planning that involves the command and medical provider is needed to ensure the mission is not affected and the Soldier has enough...
Learn MoreWhy Do We Need CBM+?
Branch Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Glen Vela: Army Aviation’s Condition Based Maintenance Plus (CBM+) initiative, launched over a decade ago, has four objectives: reduce soldier maintenance burden, increase platform availability and readiness, reduce operations and support costs, and enhance safety. These objectives are still relevant today, perhaps more now than before. Working Condition Based Maintenance Plus (CBM+P) on the flight line./ U.S. ARMY PHOTO Generating combat power, whenever and wherever needed, for as long as needed, without compromising safety, and at a cost affordable to the Nation – that’s why we need CBM+. Historically, commanders require more combat...
Learn MoreThe Greatest Asset – Soldier Mechanic Productive Available Time
Aviation Logistics Officer / By CW5 Donald L. Washabaugh Jr.: Demand for aviation assets continue to increase as the ground force commander relies upon our ability to project combat power worldwide. The fleet must train new replacements, maintain a reliable ready reaction force, and prosecute the battlefield wherever required. SPC Patrick Travis, aircraft structural repairer, with Bravo Co., 122nd Avn. Spt. Bn., 82nd Cbt. Avn. Bde., repaints a section of the tail-boom from an AH-64 Apache, during a 500 flight hour phase maintenance on Simmons Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, N.C., Nov. 9, 2015. Aviators must meet a defined regulatory performance...
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