Current Issue Articles
The Last Rotation
By CPT Charles N. Hill: At the end of Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Rotation 15-06, one of the first scout helicopter pilots and some of the last shared the same ground and air. In April 2015, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior completed its final JRTC rotation, marking the end of the scout helicopter at the combat training centers. LTC (Ret.) Hugh L. Mills Jr. (right) stands in formation with CPT Greg Marsh, commander, and the Soldiers of Bravo Troop, 6-6th CAV following the final flight of the last Kiowa Warrior rotation at the JRTC, Fort Polk, LA, April 28, 2015....
Learn MoreTransforming for the Future
U.S. Army Reserve Aviation / By BG Troy D. Kok: 2025 may be ten years away according to a calendar, but in terms of force modernization, it is right around the corner. In preparation for an unknown and ever evolving geopolitical landscape, the United States Army Reserve’s sole operational Aviation command is posturing itself for continued success in the upcoming decade. SGT Robert Self, an AH-64 Armament Electrical Avionic Systems repairer with Company D, 1st Bn., 158th Avn. Regt. “Ghost Riders,” loads rockets into an AH-64 Apache during a gunnery range at North Fort Hood, Texas, June 2, 2015. The...
Learn MoreTraining to Task in Varying Conditions
Branch Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Eric C. Thom: There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. – Colin Powell The Army’s Training Concept (ATC) 2012-2020 was designed to strike a balance between operational and institutional training, and offers flexibility, efficiencies, and a broad range of training capabilities for leaders to maintain an agile, ready Army in a period of reduced resourcing. Soldiers from Delta Company, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, assess casualties while recovering a downed aircraft during Decisive Action Rotation 15-03...
Learn MoreSimulation Integration
Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Course / By CW5 Allen R. “Randy” Godfrey, CW4 Shawn N. Paris, and CW3 Charles L. Brown: The current Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Course (AWOAC) is a distinct improvement from AWOAC past. There are now two distinct resident phases. Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT) Master Control Station operations during an exercise at the Seneff building, Fort Rucker, AL. The first is the warrant officer mid-grade learning subjects required for all warrant officers. The second is the technical specific track phase. This phase allows our aviation warrant officers to build on training and education received in...
Learn MoreTraining Leaders Who Thrive
From the Aviation Branch Chief / By MG Michael D. Lundy: As we continue to prepare to fight in unknown and unknowable conditions and threats, leaders who thrive in uncertainty are our primary weapon system. Tough, realistic, performance based training is how we prepare our leaders to operate in these environments. Simulators, such as this CH-47 Chinook simulator at the Southeast Regional Flight Simulation Training Center on Simmons Army Airfield at Fort Bragg, NC, replicate the complexity of current and future environments and provide the rigor and repetitions necessary to present tough training. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SSG APRIL...
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