Current Issue Articles
Army Aviators Demonstrate Inherent Flexibility During COVID
Director of Army Aviation / By BG Michael C. (Mac) McCurry:The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge around the world, and for all Americans. The military and its Servicemembers have borne a proportionate share of that burden while demonstrating a firm resolve to prevail. As the coronavirus spread across the country, one of the Army’s primary tasks became protecting the force so we could protect the Nation. Staying home when possible and practicing social distancing became our best line of defense against further spreading the disease, and our surest way to keep ourselves and loved ones healthy. For many Servicemembers,...
Learn MoreSince The Last Blue Book
Branch Chief’s Corner / By MG David J. Francis: I will start this article by expressing my appreciation and awe at how well the Aviation branch has continued to train and modernize the force through the current COVID crisis. Our leaders are not shying away from this fight! Some Of What We Have Done Over the past twelve months, our branch produced some phenomenal results for our Soldiers, our training capability, and Aviation modernization. People first – we retained 600 great Soldiers across the force. The retention of these professionals significantly enhances our ability to provide support to our fellow...
Learn MoreAround the Enterprise
President’s Cockpit / MG Jeff Schloesser, U.S. Army Retired: Welcome to our annual Army Aviation Blue Book! It provides the “who is who” of the bread and butter units, organizations, and teams that make Army Aviation the pride of our Army and a much sought after capability on the battlefield or in deterring potential strategic competitors. Co. B “Big Windy,” and Co E, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion practice field refueling on Jan. 23, 2020 in the Republic of Cyprus./ U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY MAJ ROBERT FELLINGHAM This issue also includes the announcement of the 312 Army Aviation Soldiers and...
Learn MorePCS Moves During A Pandemic
Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer: It’s a new world order because of COVID-19, and it is causing a major change for military families making PCS moves. The following information was derived from multiple sources, to include an article by Karen Jowers in Military Times: Pay & Benefits June 17, 2020 “As military moves restart, it’s still a PCS season.” Peak season in years gone by normally began May 15 thru the end of August, but this year there was an 82% decrease when military orders got backlogged, moves subsequently got backlogged, moving companies in some areas experienced labor shortages,...
Learn MoreRestore the Traditions of Army Aviation
By LTC M. Lee Chase: The United States Army Primary Helicopter School at Fort Wolters, Texas, instituted colored class hats in 1957. Restoring this tradition to Army Aviation would directly improve morale and camaraderie, with promise to enhance recruitment and retention as we negotiate continuous deployments, variable priorities in the Army Budget, and COVID-19. Is Army Aviation exceptional? Yes. My personal book collection includes “DUSTOFF,” the autobiography of retired CW4 Michael J. Novosel, who earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism flying UH-1 Huey MEDEVAC missions during the Vietnam War; “A Hundred Feet Over Hell,” which illustrates the valor...
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