Current Issue Articles
Realizing the Full Potential of UAS in Air-Ground Operations
By MG Michael D. Lundy Over the past 25 years, the role and demand for unmanned aircraft systems increased dramatically. We have come a long way from a few, modestly capable Pioneer UAS deployed at the theater level during Desert Storm, to the rapid fielding of hundreds upon hundreds of unmanned systems ranging from the simple to sophisticated into nearly every echelon of our Army today. An Apache helicopter takes off at Dugway’s Michael Army Airfield as the Shadow unmanned aircraft is readied for its flight onto the battlefield. – Credit: U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY KARI HAWKINSGiven this dramatic increase...
Learn MoreRevitalizing “5 by 5” Comms
One of my favorite films is a Paul Newman flick, the 1967 film, Cool Hand Luke. One of the most memorable phrases was “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate” spoken at different points in the movie; first, by Strother Martin (the prison warden) and later Newman (as Luke, a young prisoner). I like to focus on communication as one whose left brain (math, science, logic and reasoning) tends to overpower his right (imaginative thinking). I’ve noticed of late that as a society, we are experiencing a noticeable failure to communicate; and that can only be to the detriment...
Learn MoreDuckworth Honored
Former Army Aviator, Representative Tammy Duckworth, 8th District, Illinois, was recently honored at the 2013 Easter Seals Advocacy Awards Dinner in Washington, DC. Duckworth, who was severely injured while flying a Blackhawk in Iraq in 2004, continues to serve as a lieutenant colonel in the Illinois National Guard and had served previously as an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. She is a leading advocate on Capitol Hill for wounded warriors and disabled veterans. Pictured are (r to l) former AAAA National President MG (Ret.) Carl H. McNair, Jr.; Duckworth; McNair’s wife, Jo Ann; and Mrs. Jane Merryman,...
Learn MoreThe Membership Corner
AAAA Membership CW5 (Ret.) Dave Cooper Do you ever wonder who is joining AAAA? As you know, AAAA has a unique cross section of members … Aviation Soldiers, acquisition professionals, industry partners, and retirees. As of this writing, AAAA’s newest member is none of the above. Recently LTC Pete Barger, commander of 1st Battalion (Airfield Operations), 245th Aviation Regiment said, “I wanted to expose Soldiers outside the Aviation MOSs to AAAA; so, to do this I asked the Thunderbird chapter to acquaint my headquarters company Soldiers with AAAA.” Kevin Tullberg, the chapter enrollment vice president gave the briefing. He discussed what...
Learn MoreTRADOC Capability Manager for Lift Update
Special Focus – TRADOC Capability Manager Update —By COL Erskine R. Bentley II The TRADOC Capability Manager for Lift (TCM-Lift) is the user advocate for Army Aviation capabilities that enable our Aviation formations to support the ground commander with: air assault and air movement of troops, equipment and supplies; airborne medical evacuation; airborne command and control; intra-theater air movement of key leaders; and sustainment and support to law enforcement and other government agencies across the United States and throughout the world. We do this by closely coordinating with the Aviation units throughout the Army, sister Services and our counterpart project...
Learn More
