Current Issue Articles
Why 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...
Learn MoreOur Chapters – the Soul of AAAA
President’s Cockpit / MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired: Can you believe we are two months into 2022 already? The AAAA Annual Summit is just weeks away now and everyone is leaning forward as we get into the execution phase. I hope you are making plans to join us in Nashville. While the staff is laser focused on preparing for the Summit, I am still on my mission to visit all 79 chapters. Just after the new year, I hit five in one week: Iron Mike, Jimmy Doolittle, Savannah, Greater Atlanta, and Follow Me! My next swing will be through...
Learn MoreImportance of Sustainment Modernization at the Operator Level
Aviation Branch Maintenance Officer Update – By CW5 Patrick O’Neill As units return from a reduced operational period over the holidays, maintaining aircraft readiness can be challenging. With reduced manpower, typical winter weather, and the current COVID-19 supply-chain disruptions, having a maintenance strategy to bridge these sustainment gaps and meet the eventual surge of flying hours is critical. What is also critical, but a little more opaque, is a strategic view on maintaining current and future fleet aircraft in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) in a Multi-Domain fight. As we modernize our enduring aviation fleet and prepare for Future Vertical...
Learn MoreArmy Aviation Hall of Fame “Oscar Night” Celebrates Spouses Too
AAAA Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer Due to COVID, the annual Army Aviation Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for 2020 and 2021 were postponed. However, we were able to witness inducting six new members at the 2021 Joseph P. Cribbins Training, Equipping and Sustainment Symposium in Huntsville this past November, and it was indeed a very special “Oscar Night” for Army Aviation. The honorees were truly inspiring, while at the same time very humble, but equally inspiring for me was being able to spend time with some of their wives and with one who was so gracious to share her...
Learn MoreFlight Surgeon: Friend or Foe?
By MAJ Brett A. Matzek M.D., FS The relationship between a pilot and the Flight Surgeon has always been a complicated one. From the early days of Aviation, Flight Surgeons have been tasked with establishing and enforcing medical standards to improve the safety of flight. This task, at times, means recommending that aircrew not perform flight duties if they develop a condition deemed distracting or dangerous in the flight environment. Tension sometimes arises from the perceived unilateral power of the physician to “ground” the Aviator. This action can have professional, financial, and mission consequences. While the Flight Surgeon’s goal is...
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