Current Issue Articles
Learning How to Create Aviation Maintenance Excellence
128th Aviation Brigade / By SGM James Etheridge: There I was, 22 years in the Army, a CSM in Honduras conducting joint multinational missions; I had 16 years in the 160th with three years as the S-3 SGM, Joint assignments in OEF/OIF, by all measures I guess I could be called, “high seed, low drag,” at least that is what I told myself, and then it hit me… I was being assigned to the 128th Aviation Brigade? YOUR CAPTION HERE As the Brigade S-3 Sergeant Major? Say what? So I asked myself, “Self, where and what is the 128th Aviation...
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Reserve Components Aviation / By COL J. Ray Davis: Greetings again from the Army National Guard (ARNG). Here’s an update on what Your Guard Aviation teammates have been doing. New York Army National Guard deploys its UH-72 Lakotas to the Texas/Mexico border. / NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY SFC STEVEN PETIBONE First, a quick review of history regarding this operation. The Army National Guard established Operation Phalanx in July 2010, based on an Executive Order from President Obama along the 1,933-mile southwest border in support of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. Operation Phalanx is the successor operation...
Learn MoreBringing Commercial-off-the-Shelf Avionics to Military Cockpits
Industry Support / By Mr. Carl Wolf: For decades commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) avionics have remained attractive as a conceivable solution for military cockpits around the world, primarily due to their relatively low cost and considerably shorter lead-times. The drawback that has persisted has largely been the perception that COTS avionics equipment are not capable of supporting the missions frequently flown by military aircraft or withstanding the harsh environments in which military aircraft typically operate. A leading supplier of avionics systems and integrated flight decks, Garmin Aviation continues to push the envelope, developing products, largely at their own expense, designed around advanced...
Learn MoreOver the Counter Medications
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Scott A. Cygan, O.D.: Q: Doc, I’ve used a few over-the-counter medications in the past to avoid seeing my flight surgeon. Is this allowed or am I breaking the rules? FS: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are defined as drugs that are reasonably safe and effective for use by the general public without seeking treatment from a health care professional. However, this does not mean these medicines should be considered completely safe or free of potential side effects. In addition, all air crewmembers should be astutely aware that many of these medications are strictly prohibited while...
Learn MoreInnovative Procurement Practices Today Help Control Future Costs
PEO for Aviation / BG Robert L. Marion: The rising cost of aviation systems in the face of ongoing fiscal challenges underscores the importance of maximizing the effectiveness of every dollar we spend.Years of funding decrements, operating under a continuing resolution and the impending implementation of the Budget Control Act and Sequestration continue to create challenges with an already difficult task of balancing current readiness with investment in future modernization. UH-60V Black Hawk Cockpit / U.S. ARMY PEO AVIATION PHOTO For those in the Army Aviation community, it comes as no surprise that many of our major weapon systems were...
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