Current Issue Articles
The Miracle of Grandchildren
Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer: Tom and I have had an amazing journey as grandparents for twenty-one years. Our 9 grands (and soon to add twins in March) range in age from 1 to 21 and live in 4 different states as well as Australia. COL Charles Heckel, a retired Aviator, was always there for his friend’s grandchildren, pictured with Kimberly and Rob Ewing. Nevertheless, thanks to daily phone calls, FaceTime, frequent visits, the ever-popular “Camp Nana,” and most holidays, we do stay close to them and in turn they stay close to each other. In many ways being...
Learn MoreThe U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at 20 Years
From the Field / By Kaylene Hughes, Ph.D.: On the afternoon of July 17, 1997, U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) Commander, GEN Johnnie E. Wilson, presided over the provisional stand-up ceremony for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) thereby merging the Army’s missile and aviation commands as recommended by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC-95) Commission. As part of the approved BRAC-95 action, the PEO Aviation also relocated from St. Louis, Missouri, to Redstone Arsenal. AMCOM Activation Ceremony, July 17, 1997. Standing left to right: MG James M. Link, GEN Johnnie E. Wilson, MG Emmitt E. Gibson....
Learn MoreThe Degraded Visual Environment
Aviation Support / By Mr. Shawn Gresham: To maintain Army Aviation’s asymmetric advantage over our enemies and mitigate risk, the Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) Product Office is committed to delivering solutions that will provide our pilots the capability to fly and maneuver in degraded visual environments. PM DVE COURTESY PHOTO MONTAGE The U.S. Army Aviation community defines a DVE as an environment of reduced visibility, wherein situational awareness of the aircrew or control of the aircraft can be completely lost, or cannot be maintained as comprehensively as they are during flight operations within clear or undiminished visibility. DVE conditions are...
Learn MoreAviation Networks and Mission Planning (ANMP)
Aviation Support / By Mr. Timothy J. Vinson and Mr. James M. Pruitt: To meet its mission, the Aviation Networks and Mission Planning (ANMP) Product Office provides the Army Aviation community with state-of-the-art interoperability, mission planning, maintenance, and operations tools that enhance crew members’ situational awareness (SA), command and control (C2), and safety. ANMP supports and interfaces with all aviation rotary wing, fixed wing, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) platforms; fielding products essential for the successful planning and execution of the Army Aviation mission set. Improved Data Modem (IDM) / ALL GRAPHICS/PHOTOS COURTESY AVN. SYS. PMO As we develop, update,...
Learn MoreToday’s Fight, Tomorrow’s Challenges
Aviation Survivability / By CW5 Christopher A. Johnson: As I begin my 4th year as the Project Manager for Aircraft Survivability Equipment, I am sincerely thankful for the incredible opportunity to protect our Nation’s most valuable assets – the lives of American Soldiers. And along with that reflection, I also marvel at the technical skills, dedication, professionalism, and passion that the ASE enterprise displays to accomplish that mission. Soldiers from JagerBattalion 291 pose in front of a Tiger Attack Helicopter and an AH-64 Apache from 12th Combat Aviation Brigade during exercise Strong Punch near Fritzlar, Germany. Strong Punch is an...
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