President’s Cockpit / By BG E.J. Sinclair, Ret.: Our premier networking opportunity for the entire Army Aviation Community, the 2017 AAAA Annual Summit, is almost upon us. We will be celebrating 75 years since the beginning of organic Army Aviation on June 6, 1942.
Attendees at the 2016 AAAA Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Atlanta, Georgia wrap up the two-day event while enjoying the Soldier Appreciation Dinner/Concert. / AAPI PHOTO BY RENÉ BIDEZ
It is amazing the transition of Army Aviation over those 75 years into the world’s premier fighting force.
We also want to make sure that the event is as affordable and easy to attend as possible. All indications are that we are on a growth path again after the impacts of the Army Conference policy changes in 2013 and the sequestration budget cuts of the last few years. We have just exceeded our 2016 exhibit sales. Registration for the events is 10-20% higher than last year and the Opryland Hotel rooms have been sold out for months. Don’t panic… we have other affordable hotels available. Go to quad-a.org/2017Summit and click on the housing button.
Please note that ALL food events have a cut off of March 31! Buy your tickets by then please. There will be NO tickets available on site for the Scholarship Lunch, the Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, or the Josh Turner Dinner Concert. Get your tickets TODAY!
Before we officially start with the Early Bird Reception on Wednesday afternoon, April 26 we will hold Chapter Workshops that morning. It is very important for our chapter officers get up to speed on best practices for everything from finances to scholarships in order to best serve you our members.
We are also hosting one Chapter Sponsored Soldier (Cadet, LT, WO1-2, E1-4) from each Chapter with housing for the whole Summit and two tickets to all events including the Hall of Fame Banquet and the Josh Turner Concert. All your chapter has to do is select you and get you to Nashville. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on this AAAA program.
And remember the Soldier Café that AAAA sets up each year to ensure free continental breakfast/snacks and $5.00 for an affordable lunch. This is for Soldiers and their families only. No retirees please.
The professional agenda will be focused on readiness across the spectrum of conflict. There is no doubt we are in fast moving times and I am sure we will all come out of this Summit with a better understanding of where the Army is and where we are going. Of course we will also recognize excellence in your ranks from units to individuals like crew chief of the year to aviator of the year. We are even running free buses from Fort Campbell every day to make sure you can be part of the program. We have also received a great response from international participation this year. The NATO Helicopter Inter Service Working Group will be at the Summit as well as several other foreign leaders.
In addition we have had great response to our spouse program offerings especially with Nancy Cox, Ph.D., Director, Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, who will present “You, Your genes, and Your Health.” She is one of our country’s top experts on genetics. Make sure you sign up today.
Make sure to download 17SUMMIT, the official event app, to stay up-to-date!
Finally, all this happens to help us realize our mission statement to “Support the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family” – that would be YOU! See you in Nashville April 26-28, 2017!
BG E.J. Sinclair, Ret.
32nd President, AAAA
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