Several generations of retired Army Aviation General Officers pause for a Kodak moment during the
Cribbins Futures Forum: (l to r) MG John Kline, MG Wally Golden, MG Jim Myles, LTG Bill Phillips,
LTG Doug Gabram, MG Todd Royar, and BG Tim Edens. AAAA PHOTO BY AUBRY CANALES
We just completed our “new-format” 2025 Cribbins Futures Forum in Huntsville, AL. It was touch-and-go for a while with the government shutdown, but AAAA staff, our exhibitors and attendees executed with aplomb!
At the end of the day, very few exhibitors cancelled, our sponsorship was up, and attendance was only slightly down. Truly a remarkable result considering that early Monday November 10, three days before the AAAA staff arrived on site in Huntsville, we made the decision to go ahead after cancelling the prior Friday night when all Senate talks had completely collapsed!
Thank you to our Soldier and Industry Partners and all our subcontractors and vendors who stuck with us through the chaos and uncertainty. It was humbling indeed to witness your loyalty and support. AAAA is truly one big family! See the wrap-up on page 68 of this issue.
We’re declaring our new Cribbins format an unmitigated success! Special thanks to our National Treasurer, MG (Ret.) Todd Royar, who developed a very innovative plan for the Cribbins agenda that proved very effective. The afternoon “Open Mic” sessions on topics like artificial intelligence (AI), manned/unmanned aircraft ratios, airspace congestion, were particularly productive and resulted in well-received back-briefs to the Aviation General Officer Steering Committee (AVGOSC).
The AAAA National Executive Board (NEB) meeting, held at Cribbins, highlighted a few new items. Following feedback from chapter officers, going forward, the national AAAA organization will pay for all bank charges on transactions with the new chapter banking vendor. Three new National Executive Board Members Emeritus were approved to include MG (Ret.) Richard Sherlock, MG (Ret.) Kelly Thomas, and LTC (Ret.) Jan Drabczuk. Finally, the Strategic Plan, first developed over two years ago, was formally approved by the NEB as a living document that will continue to evolve and be modified with the goals and objectives of the officers and committees of AAAA.
Our lineup for future AAAA Summits looks like Nashville in 2026, Kansas City in 2027, New Orleans in 2028, and although not yet officially contracted, it looks like we will be going to Atlanta in 2029 and St. Louis in 2030.
Less than an hour after the Cribbins Forum closed, the AAAA staff, along with MG (Ret.) Todd Royar, BG (Ret.) Tim Edens and COL (Ret.) Liz Martin executed our first in-progress review (IPR) for the upcoming AAAA sponsored Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition. This event will take place at the University of Alabama Huntsville’s (UAH) 2,300-acre drone and counter drone range near the Huntsville airport. Things are moving fast and furious on this first-ever Army competition. By the time you read this, registration will have opened, and we will be well on the way to execution on 17-19 February 2026.
The 2026 AAAA Annual Summit in Nashville, 15-17 April, will be on us before you know it. Check out the 4-page separate handout shipped with this issue for all the details. We are tracking record attendance so don’t wait to register!
Finally, Jo Ann and I and the entire AAAA leadership and staff wish you all a peaceful and restful Holiday season and a very happy New Year. See you in 2026!
MG Wally Golden, U.S. Army Retired
37th President, AAAA
walter.golden@quad-a.org
