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Contents June 30, 2016, Vol. 65, No. 6
TO THE FIELD 18
20
10
Aviation Branch Chief Update By MG William K. Gayler
12
Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch Update By CW5 Joseph B. Roland
14
Branch Command Sergeant Major Update By CSM Gregory M. Chambers
16
Reserve Component Avation Update By COL J. Ray Davis
18
128th Aviation Brigade Update By CW3 Thomas Parker
20
AMRDEC Tech Talk By Mr. Les Wiggins and Mr. Frank Collins
22
Ask the Flight Surgeon By MAJ Jason MacDonnell, M.D.
SPECIAL FOCUS — AAAA Summit Recap 24
2016 Army Aviation Summit Photo Recap
SPECIAL FOCUS — Simulation & Training 24
36
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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Readiness Reporting – Are We Ready? By COL (Ret.) Jimmy L. Meacham
36
Directorate of Simulation (DOS) - What It Can Do For You. By COL Duke Samouce
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Flight School XXI Simulation Services – Meeting Future Warfighter Needs By MAJ Matthew T. McMannes & CW5 (Ret.) Ronald J. Ferrell
42
National Training Center – Eagle Team Update: Evolving the DATE By LTC Zachary Mundell
46
Joint Readiness Training Center – Alpha Team Update: Training Deliberate Attack Operations in Decisive Action By LTC Bryan Chivers and MAJ Adam Camarano
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Contents June 30, 2016, Vol. 65, No. 6
48
46
56
SPECIAL FOCUS - Fixed Wing 48
The Fixed Wing Project Office and Army Fixed Wing Aviation – Optimizing Modernization for Enhanced Capabilities and Readiness By COL Stephen B. Clark and Ms. Tracey Ayres
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Project Manager Sensors Aerial Intelligence By COL Thomas Gloor, MAJ Christee Cuttino, and CPT (P) Eric Predmore
52
One Army: Aviation’s Role in the CSA’s Multi-Compo Vision By COL Timothy D. Brown, COL Gene K. Lambrecht, and MAJ Jacob Whiteside
56
United States Army Reserve: Streamlining the Fixed-Wing Fleet By LTC Tracy Kennepp, LTC Terry Schooler, MAJ Mitchell Rosnick and CPT Sarah Kelley
FROM THE FIELD 58 Amplifying Talent: Integration of Active and National Guard Components in Support of Operation Inherent Resolve By MAJ Aaron C. Schilleci
60 AH-64E Manned Unmanned Teaming – When New Technology 58
Outpaces Current Systems By CW4 Brett S. Chivers
DEPARTMENTS
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66
AAAA NEWS AAAA President’s Cockpit.......................................................................................................8 AAAA VP Chapter Affairs ......................................................................................................64 Chapter News ........................................................................................................................66 AAAA VP Membership ..........................................................................................................68 New Members ......................................................................................................................69 AAAA Family Forum ................................................................................................................ 72 AAAA Legislative Report ....................................................................................................... 75 AAAA Scholarship Foundation........................................................................................... 74 ARMY AVIATION COMMUNITY NEWS Advertisers Index ..................................................................................................................... 76 Art’s Attic ......................................................................................................................................86 Briefings ..........................................................................................................................................6 Calendar ...................................................................................................................................... 67 Hall of Fame ................................................................................................................................ 87 Historical Perspective ............................................................................................................62 Industry News............................................................................................................................ 76 In Memoriam ............................................................................................................................... 71 Letters to the Editor..................................................................................................................81 People on the Move ............................................................................................................... 78 Spotlight .......................................................................................................................................53
ARMY AVIATION is the official journal of the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA). The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors, not the Department of Defense or its elements. The content does not necessarily reflect the official U.S. Army position nor the position of the AAAA or the staff of Army Aviation Publications, Inc., (AAPI). Title Reg® in U.S. Patent office. Registration Number 1,533,053. SUBSCRIPTION DATA: ARMY AVIATION (ISSN 0004-248X) is published monthly, except May and September by AAPI, 593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806. Tel: (203) 268-2450, FAX: (203) 268-5870, E-Mail:
[email protected]. Army Aviation Magazine E-Mail:
[email protected]. Website: http://www.quad-a.org. Subscription rates for non-AAAA members: $30, one year; $58, two years; add $10 per year for foreign addresses other than military APOs. Single copy price: $4.00. ADVERTISING: Display and classified advertising rates are listed in SRDS Business Publications, Classification 90. POSTMASTER: Periodicals postage paid at Monroe, CT and other offices. Send address changes to AAPI, 593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806.
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June 30, 2016
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June 30, 2016
Briefings u
Late Breaking News - Announcements
Fanning Sworn in as SECARMY
Publisher / William R. Harris Jr.
USMA Top Grad Heads to Flight School
Web Edition / Trudy Hodenfield
[email protected] Contributing Editor / Mark Albertson
[email protected]
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SSG VITO T. BRYANT
Director of Design & Production Anne H. Ewing
[email protected]
DOD PHOTO BY SENIOR MASTER SGT. ADRIAN CADIZ
Editor / CW4 (Ret.) Joseph L. Pisano Sr.
[email protected]
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter swears in Eric K. Fanning as the 22nd Secretary of the Army during a ceremony at the Pentagon May 18, 2016. The day before, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., relinquished an eight-month hold he placed on Fanning’s confirmation while seeking assurances that Guantanamo Bay, Cuba military detainees would not be relocated to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks in Kansas. Fanning, 47, is widely viewed as one of the most capable leaders in the Pentagon and has served in key leadership positions in the Army, Air Force and Navy. In addition, he was Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s chief of staff and one of his closest advisers. Fanning’s confirmation also marks a milestone: he is the first openly gay secretary of a military service.
Family Forum Editor / Judy Konitzer
[email protected] Advertising Director / Robert C. Lachowski
[email protected] Advertising Manager / Erika Burgess
[email protected] Marketing Director / Jennifer Chittem
[email protected] VP Business Development / Sal D. Lucci
[email protected] Circulation Department Deb Cavallaro Debbie Coley Elisabeth Mansson Barbara McCann Corey Stokes Sue Stokes
Talley Relinquishes Command
Editorial Address 593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806 Tel: (203) 268-2450 / Fax: (203) 268-5870 www.quad-a.org
On The Cover PAID ADVERTISEMENT: About the Cover – CAE is a global leader in delivery of training for the defense, civil aviation, and healthcare markets. CAE is currently constructing a new training center at Dothan Regional Airport in Alabama where CAE will deliver academic, simulator and live flying training to Army fixed-wing aviators. The Army Fixed-Wing Flight Training program will include new CAE-built C-12 flight simulators as well as new Grob G120TP aircraft. Caption provided by the advertiser. ARMY AVIATION Magazine
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY MAJ ANGEL WALLACE
Web Master / Mary Seymour
[email protected]
2LT Alix Schoelcher Idrache stands with tears streaming down his face at the 2016 commencement ceremony at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His dream had become a reality… immigrating to the United States from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, earning his citizenship, serving for two years as an enlisted Soldier with the Maryland Army National Guard and graduating as a leader in his class of 950 cadets. He was named a regimental commander last summer and became West Point’s top graduate in physics, earning the Brigadier General Gerald A. Counts Memorial Award. And, he is on his way to Fort Rucker to attend flight school. “People where I’m from don’t grow up to be pilots, right?” Idrache said. “Like they don’t dream of flying a helicopter, that’s not something you do. You don’t just say I’m going to be a pilot and make it happen. There’re no aviation, there’re no helicopters, no flight schools. There’re none of that.” Idrache wrote Tuesday on Facebook, “I am humbled and shocked at the same time. Thank you for giving me a shot at the American Dream and may God bless America, the greatest country on earth.”
Headphones/Earbuds OK With PT Uniform in Gym
U.S. Army Reserve Command bid farewell to its seventh commanding general, LTG Jeffrey W. Talley (right), during a relinquishment of command ceremony at Fort Bragg, NC on June 1. Talley has served as the chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general of USARC for the past four years. He is retiring after 34 years of military service. MG Charles Luckey, the chief of staff for U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, has been nominated to succeed Talley. MG David Conboy, USARC deputy commanding general for operations, will serve as the interim CG. 6
“Effective immediately, unless the unit or installation commander prohibits otherwise, soldiers may use headphones, including wireless or non-wireless devices and earpieces, in uniform only while performing individual physical training in indoor gyms or fitness centers,” according to a directive signed by Acting Army Secretary Patrick Murphy on May 6. The guidelines, outlined in Army Directive 2016-20, are punitive for Soldiers, and any violations may result in adverse administrative action and/or charges under the provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The directive applies to Soldiers in all components – active, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. The directive does not apply to physical training outside. June 30, 2016
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President’s Cockpit
Mission Accomplished!
The Summit was a great success by all measures from the feedback we have received from participants. A special thanks to Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia, TRADOC Commander General Dave Perkins, Ms. Steffanie Easter, Principal Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, and the Army Aviation leadership for their presentations. They added a lot to the Summit. Take a look on our website for the new video we opened the event with on Friday morning, April 29, to see what I mean in terms of what AAAA does year round. See the Summit review photo pages starting on page 24 of this issue to get a good feel for what the 2016 Summit accomplished. From the opening video, to the Oscar Night of Army Aviation at the Friday night Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to the spouse programs and the closing Soldier Concert, AAAA 2016 was all about you and your family, professionally and personally. ARMY AVIATION Magazine
AAPI PHOTO BY RENÉ BIDEZ
T
he 2016 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Atlanta once again brought our whole Army Aviation Community together for a few days of Networking, Recognition, Voice and Support events to make sure we were on track to make our mission statement real for you.
AAAA National President and Executive Director, BG (Ret.) E.J. Sinclair and Bill Harris, respectively, present COL (Ret.) Harry Townsend with the Art and Dotty Kesten Founders’ Award, Apr. 29th at the 2016 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Atlanta, GA while his friend, Ann Burke (seated next to him), and Dotty Kesten (right of Ann) applaud.
This year for the first time we also held practical workshops for our chapter officers. We had over half our chapters attend to receive training and ask questions on everything from the scholarship program to financial reporting to the awards program and Order of Saint Michael. We also offered to fly in, on National’s dime, one junior ranking Soldier from each chapter. Again, almost half our chapters, 34 in fact, responded, identified their Soldier and we did the rest for the Soldiers to attend the Summit. Speaking of support, I cannot thank the National Guard enough. From the aircraft supplied and LZ operations to the fantastic showing of State Army Aviation Officers and ARNG brigade command teams, the National Guard was present in a big way. Thank you all very much! The event closed with the Kellie Pickler and Trace Adkins concert but the real highlight for me was being able to present the Art and Dotty Kesten
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Founders’ award to COL (Ret.) Harry Townsend. Harry is a Hall of Famer, Cub Club member, Scholarship board member who always finds a way to get a task done. Whether that challenge was learning to fly in the then-segregated Army, to being one of the first Special Operations Aviators, to raising money for scholarships – Harry is simply the best. The icing on the cake was that Dotty Kesten herself was seated at the same table and helped me copresent the award. If you get the impression that we are a family in Army Aviation Association of America, you are correct. Thanks to all who made 2016 such a success, financially, logistically, professionally and most importantly in joining us in Supporting the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family! Mark your calendars for April 26-28, 2017 in Nashville. BG E.J. Sinclair, Ret. 32nd President, AAAA
[email protected] June 30, 2016
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ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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June 30, 2016
u Aviation Branch Chief Update
The Way Ahead
By MG William K. Gayler
I
I look forward to serving with the great Soldiers and civilians from across the enterprise as we tackle the challenges facing the branch and our Army and forge a path to the future. The strength of the branch is not our aircraft, but the outstanding people who fly, fix and support Army Aviation operations across the globe. Building and sustaining readiness is the primary objective of every unit not engaged with the enemy. Michele and I would like to personally thank the Lundys for their selfless service, dedication and sacrifice to our Soldiers, leaders, civilians and families as they expertly led our branch over the past two years. Their professionalism, dedication and vision made a lasting impact during an extremely challenging time in our history. The accomplishments of the branch during the last 15 years are staggering. We executed millions of flight hours during home station training and sustained combat operations in multiple theaters while continuing to modernize the force. The operational environment and fiscal constraints drove change as the branch adapted manning, equipping, training and doctrine. We saw an increase in global terrorism, challenges in the Pacific, the resurgence of Russia in Europe and continued conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. The world continues to grow more complex with Aviation playing a central role in the full scope of military operations. As a result, Army Aviation is in ARMY AVIATION Magazine
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY PFC DANIEL PARROTT, OPNS GRP, NTNL TNG CTR
am absolutely honored and humbled to serve as the Army Aviation Branch Chief and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, unload their AH-64D Apache Longbows during Decisive Action Rotation 16-05 at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, CA, April 20, 2016.)
high demand and globally committed in nearly 40 countries. We must continue to work to provide our force the improved capabilities to increase our access, deny our enemies sanctuary and maintain overmatch. Our adversaries have learned from our years of conflict and are investing and innovating to exploit our capability gaps. Army Aviation must mitigate these gaps in the near term until we can close them in the future. We are rapidly realizing the evolutionary limit of our current airframes and must act now to field bridging capabilities that will enable the current and future force. Decisions are required now to shape funding and fielding in the far term to meet the requirements of the Army Operating Concept. Army Aviation’s core competencies are fundamental to enabling the AOC imperatives and crosscut all Warfighting Challenges. To set the force and dominate in the current and future operating environment, Army Aviation requires improved reach – speed, range, power and endurance to fly and fight in all environments to deny sanctuary to our adversaries; protection – advanced survivability equipment to protect our forces; and lethality – common, lighter, more lethal, precision munitions and more capable sensors. Current demand exceeds capacity 10
and continues to grow with no programmed future growth of the force. In light of where we are today, we have to ask ourselves, how can we do more with what we currently have to close our capability gaps, meet combatant commander demand and build readiness? This will require a concerted effort from the entire enterprise and I look forward to working with each of you in the pursuit of answers to the myriad complex challenges we face today and those we will face in the future. In the end, our most important weapon systems are our Soldiers. We must provide them with the best equipment, training and leader development to create agile and adaptive leaders who thrive in uncertainty to win in an increasingly complex world. Thank you for your dedicated service and sacrifice to our Nation. I also want to thank our Families who are faithful, supportive and vital to our mission. Michele and I are honored to serve with each of you. Above The Best! MG Bill Gayler MG William K. Gayler is the Army Aviation branch chief and commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, AL. June 30, 2016
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ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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JuneL-3com.com 30, 2016
u Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch
U.S. ARMY PHOTO
No Fail Support to the Soldier on the Ground By CW5 Joseph B. Roland
I
t is an honor and privilege to serve as the new Chief Warrant Officer of the Aviation Branch. The exceptional character, commitment, and competence displayed by the Soldiers and civilians who make up our branch humbles and motivates me every day.
A CH-47 Chinook departs in a cloud of dust after inserting troops for a mission in Afghanistan.
There is no greater team of professionals dedicated to our Soldiers on the ground. I would like to personally thank CW5 Randy and Debbie Godfrey for their selfless service and dedication to our branch. Randy, your leadership and stewardship during a time defined by transition was nothing less than exceptional. You have made a lasting mark on Army Aviation. Well done! “Win in a Complex World,” against an unknown enemy, at an unknown
from local warlords to near-peer nation states. The challenges of operating in the future environment are exactly why warrant officers exist. We solve problems, mitigate risk, and provide both options and solutions for commanders and the Army. Our value is not based on past success. Rather, measured instead by how prepared we are for the future. Competence within our profession is built through realistic, rigorous, and repetitive training to develop our
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
location, with unknown partners. This seems easy enough, right? The Army Operating Concept (AOC) requires us to present multiple, simultaneous dilemmas to the enemy, provide options for the commander, and operate in an expeditionary manner across the full breadth of the operational environment. The AOC challenges us to train, maintain, and sustain current capabilities while developing new aviation warfighting skills required to defeat enemies ranging 12
June 30, 2016
warfighting skills. Good units train until they get it right, great units train until they can’t get it wrong. Training and leader development are critical to effectively leading and employing our warfighting organizations and building readiness. It drives everything we do as an Army. One example of our ongoing actions includes the “Defragging the Hard Drive” initiative. Defragging is designed to optimize operational focus on doctrine, tactics, and provide our aviators the time and intellectual space to become more agile and adaptive leaders on the complex battlefield described in the AOC. Commitment and Character are the other defining qualities for our profession that require individual attention and effort. As leaders we have an obligation to ensure the health and well-being of this branch. As senior warrant officers, you may review warrant officer packets, conduct interviews, and write letters of recommendation. It is your obligation to ensure these individuals possess the character, commitment, and potential to become the tactical and technical
experts the Army requires and future generations deserve. With enough time and resources we can teach anyone to fly a helicopter, but we have neither the time nor resources to train, fix, or develop individuals morally and ethically deficient. The Soldiers and commanders on the ground and in the back of our aircraft trust us – they deserve the very best because their lives depend on it. Development of the future aviation force lies squarely on the shoulders of our tracked mid-grade and senior warrant officers; I have the utmost confidence in their ability to develop, mentor, and mold the next generation. We develop through branch specific operational assignments, training, and professional military education (PME). That is to say we develop by doing and experiencing the challenges of this profession. We need to provide our young aviation warrant officers the time and resources required to develop and establish their technical and tactical foundation. One specific initiative to accomplish this is the recent request to the Army G-1 to extend the WO1
The solutions you need. The support you want.
time in grade to the right one year for a total of 3 years. This action will provide additional time for young warrant officers to develop as Army Aviators. Standards and Discipline set the foundation of our combat arms profession, without them, we fail to be a professional organization. The unquestionable trust the nation and our Soldiers have in our ability to execute our mission requires us to do the hard right over the easy wrong every time. Our professional reputation was earned through hard work and dedication; we, as a branch cannot tolerate those who disregard standards or demonstrate indiscipline. Always remember why we exist – “No fail support to the Soldier on the ground.” Above the Best! CW5 Joe Roland
[email protected] CW5 Joseph B. Roland is the chief warrant officer of the Aviation Branch with the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker, AL.
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ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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June 30, 2016
u Branch Command Sergeant Major
Managing Enlisted Experience
U.S. ARMY PHOTO
By CSM Gregory M. Chambers
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anaging our enlisted experience in today’s Army is imperative to our future combat success. The culture in our units has to foster an environment in which Soldiers want to learn, to progress and to become professional Soldiers.
Members of the 1st Air Cav remove an aft rotor blade from a CH-47 Chinook during maintenance at Ft. Hood, TX April 5, 2016.
Documenting this experience is essential as Soldiers move around in our branch. Mid-grade leaders should have the ability to quickly assess experience on newly assigned Soldiers in order to place them on the team where they will be efficient and effective immediately. This environment or culture will directly contribute to your combat readiness in an era of sustained readiness. Managing talent or “experience” for personnel can be broken down into two categories, technical and tactical, an in-
stitution, the organization and self-study. Soldiers become skilled at their MOS by doing tasks that are relevant to their MOS in a repetitive or cyclic manner, e.g., an aircraft phase inspection or controlling aircraft in an airfield ATC tower. Experience gained as a professional Soldier is constant, but the key to professional growth for a Soldier is professional mentorship through tough and strict standards in everything we do. Training provides Soldiers the Task, Condition and Standard, repetitions and strict
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
dividual’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and professional development, and an individual’s training as it concerns being a professional Soldier. Talent represents the unique intersection of skills, knowledge and behaviors in every person, it represents far more than the training, education and experience that the Army provides.
Developing Skill
Soldiers learn and gain experience through three different domains, the in14
June 30, 2016
enforcement of the standard equates to Soldiers being skilled at that given task. Are you creating trained Soldiers or are you developing skilled Soldiers? What environment do you qualify your Soldiers in with their assigned weapon? Do you train them to the hardest condition they may face in combat? Do you make them shoot their weapon with their non-dominate hand? Do you make them shoot under night vision goggles? We execute training daily in the Aviation Branch, whether it’s flying an aircraft, controlling an aircraft, sustaining and maintaining an aircraft or providing logistics for an aircraft. But at the end of the day, everything we do centers around our combat power, our helicopters that we use to support the maneuver ground force. Although the above are tasks that we must complete on a daily basis to be successful, they provide a wealth of opportunities to grow and progress our Aviation Soldiers. It is absolutely critical that we capture and document how well our Soldiers do during these events.
The Army has systems in place today to track individual readiness as it concerns regulatory training requirements that can be seen by gaining units. The new military job book is now online for leaders to use. But Aviation is a highly technical field with highly sophisticated aircraft that require years of experience to gain proficiency. Capturing that experience in detail will enable leaders to quickly assess Soldiers and to employ them where their experience will be highly beneficial. In the future we will document this finite experience and it will transfer with the Soldier. Until then, I highly encourage units to develop sys-
tems that capture your Soldier’s experience and ensure that documentation transfers with the Soldier as they progress through their career. “Flattening” the experience cylinder between units will help us build a stronger Aviation Branch in a more efficient manner. Above the Best! CSM Chambers
[email protected] CSM Gregory M. Chambers is the command sergeant major of the Aviation Branch and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker, AL.
Communicating Soldier Experience
How do you document your Soldier’s training? Through counseling, Digital Training Management System (DTMS), the Digital Job Book, internal SOPs? More importantly, how does that individual Soldier’s “experience” transfer to another unit? How are you ensuring that the gaining unit fully understands what the Soldier is fully qualified to do or what experience they have? Do you understand what the “Critical Tasks” are for all your Soldiers? Are you documenting those critical tasks? Soldiers thrive on competition, do you have progression boards in the platoon office to depict task completed, scores achieved or qualifications attained? This public information is essential so junior leaders can employ Soldiers in the absence of the primary leaders. Leaders waste valuable time “reassessing” Soldiers on their ability and what experience they have when they come to a new unit. Furthermore, we waste valuable time when we do not integrate Soldiers in a timely manner into a given unit. Integration counseling is absolutely essential to a Soldier’s future contribution to a unit. They must clearly understand the unit’s mission, the SOP that governs that mission, and how they contribute to the accomplishment of that mission. Leaders must know how to employ the experience of newly assigned Soldiers immediately. ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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u Reserve Components Aviation Update
Proceeding to REDCON1 By COL J. Ray Davis
AAPI PHOTO BY RENÉ BIDEZ
Attendees at the 2016 ARNG Leader Symposium listen to AAAA National President and former Aviation Branch Chief, BG (Ret.) E.J. Sinclair on April 29 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta.
G
reetings again from your Army National Guard (ARNG). This month I’d like to highlight/review the results of the recent AAAA Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit, from an ARNG perspective. Aside from the dinners, concert, hospitality suites, and trinket-collecting, we actually used this forum to get things done. One of the highlights for the Guard was the second iteration of its Readiness & Resources Review (R3). At this forum, we brought brigade commanders of units early in their sustainable readiness model (SRM) cycle together (in this case, the 28th and 34th CABs), along with the resourcers who could provide training opportunities – ARNG-AV, FORSCOM, and First Army. Together they hammered out the details of the units’ five-year progressive readiness plans, from equipment fieldings to combat training center (CTC) participation to actual mobilization dates. There were no PowerPoint slides, and we kept it to a small number of participants, thereby ensuring productivity! We were also fortunate to have some high-level leaders speak to us (state army aviation officers [SAAOs]; ARNG aviation brigade commanders and command sergeants major; and selected Aviation and Safety Division staff officers): ARMY AVIATION Magazine
• LTG Timothy Kadavy – our ARNG Director gave us his vision for the future of ARNG Aviation • MG William Gayler – our new Aviation Branch Chief outlined the challenges for our current fleet of aircraft • MG(Ret.) Ray Carpenter – our former Director described the process and product of the National Commission on the Future of the Army (NCFA). • BG Benjamin Adams – our Guard G.O. on the Fort Rucker command team reviewed some of the challenges and requirements of Guard trainees while attending institutional training. As a follow-up to a few of the more critical discussions we held, here are our points of contact – send them your ideas and recommendations. No one knows the challenges and solutions better than those on the front line! • Air Traffic Services: Mr. Greg Alexander;
[email protected] • ARMS Way forward: CW5 Mike 16
Jewett;
[email protected] • Aviation Multi-Component Pilot Program (NCFA#34): Mr. Kevin Scherrer;
[email protected] • Aviation Training Strategy: MAJ Craig Dupuy;
[email protected] • Domestic Operations: Mr. Bill Squires;
[email protected] • Fleet Management: LTC Dudley Capps;
[email protected] • Full-Time Manning; Ms. Susan Niemitz;
[email protected] • Resource Management: Mr. Bob Tamplet;
[email protected] • Sustainable Readiness & Mobilizations: Mr. Marvin Iavecchia;
[email protected] • UAS Readiness & Culture: LTC Steve Sawyer;
[email protected] Hopefully many of you visited our ARNG Aviation Booth on the exhibit floor. If you did, you got to see the Army’s impressive air traffic control simulator and speak to a few of our outstanding Guard Aviation professionals. Finally, summer has arrived. Baseball, barbeques, and beaches. Oh, and apple pie, AFTPs, and ANNUAL TRAINING. I encourage leaders in all components – but especially Guard leaders – to ask themselves the following three questions before heading out for those summer marquis training events: • Have I incorporated units from the other components (INTEGRATION)? • How will this training increase my unit’s collective proficiency (READINESS)? • Have I trained my subordinate leaders well on risk management (SAFETY)? Happy June… You’re cleared to REDCON1. COL J. Ray Davis is the chief of the Army National Guard Aviation and Safety Division located in Arlington, VA. June 30, 2016
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u 128th Aviation Brigade Update Modernization of the Aviation Maintenance Technician Course was a necessary step in producing the highest quality techs for Army Aviation units around the world. CW3 Thomas Parker explains just how the curriculum changes were developed and implemented. “Above the Best!” COL Smith, Commander
Modernized 151A Aviation Maintenance Technician Course
Graduates First Classes
By CW3 Thomas Parker
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128th AVN BDE COURTESY PHOTO
arch 23, 2016 marked a pivotal date in the history of the 151A Aviation Maintenance Technician training. Three years earlier, warrant officer leaders in the 128th Aviation Brigade began the process of reviewing, revising and redesigning the initial military training for the newly minted 151A Aviation Maintenance Technical Warrant Officer. There were well known redundancies in the training programs that claimed 151A training as their core mission at that time. Obsolete and non-mission-specific subjects were being taught in the Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC). NCOs selected for Warrant Officer Candidate School to matriculate into the 151A field attended WOCS, then the basic course and the Aviation Maintenance Officer Course. Often these courses were not aligned and there would be months of waiting between courses. Another issue was a requirement for the armament officers to earn the special qualification identifier Echo (SQI-E). It was taught to both pilots and aviation maintenance technical warrants, but was deemed to be no longer relevant to the career track for aviators. Show rates at the school became so low that many classes were cancelled as units could not support either because of deployments or lack of interest. As a result, units in the field frequently went without an SQI-E trained officer. The impact of the divestiture of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior further exacerbated an already difficult situation.
The 12 members of the first modernized 151A Warrant Officer Basic Course graduates pause for the Kodak moment March 23, 2016 at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA. First row (l to r): WO1 Joseph F. Keyes, WO1 Derek A. Wilkinson, WO1 Nicholas L. Self, and WO1 Thomas E. Robbins; 2nd Row: WO1 Chad H. Patterson, WO1 Derrick Costine, WO1 Stephen C. Daniels, and WO1 Timothy W. Livingston; Back Row: WO1 Loren M. Ruslander, WO1 Jason R. Voigt, WO1 Paul R. Furgal, and WO1 Christopher R. Krause.
ing that all 151As are armament trained. Although WOBC has been extended from 9 to 19 weeks, the deletion of redundant training reduced the total time that students have to be in training by 4 weeks. This resulted in a projected savings of $6.8 million in the first three years of implementation.
The First Graduates
On October 19th, 2015 the first class of twelve Active, National Guard and Reserve component warrant officers began WOBC with the new program of instruction. Six cadre officers from the Warrant Officer Training Division of the 128th Aviation Brigade combined lessons from the legacy course, armament course, and new material for common core subjects to fulfill the 19 weeks of training. The class successfully graduated on March 23, 2016 proving the viability of ITP redesign. Currently there are two more WOBC classes in progress. As with any initiative, there is no time to stop and refit. The instructors face the challenge of producing training products while conducting training as full time instructors. The 19 week course created another challenge, the increase in the length of the course created overlap in classes requiring the instructors teach multiple classes at the same time at different points in the 19 week course. For the first time in the history of the 151, the Warrant Officer Training Division had three classes in session with 32 students attending. This initiative will pay off in terms of resources saved, students properly trained and better aviation maintenance technicians going out to the combat aviation brigades.
Modernizing the Curriculum
On May 26, 2015 the changes to the 151A Aviation Maintenance Technician Course were approved that impacted both 151As and aviators with a revised individual training plan (ITP). This ITP eliminated the SQI-E armament training as a stand-alone functional course and rolled the skills and knowledge into the WOBC course. Now commanders will know that every graduate of the 151A course is also armament trained. The “modernized” course rolled up all redundant training being conducted in other courses at Ft. Rucker like Aviator WOBC and Aviation Maintenance Officer Course (AMOC) and expanded on it with broadening education opportunities with Defense Logistics Agency and others. 151As now have access to real world Standard Army Management Information System (STAMIS) to conduct research and prepare decision and phase flow briefings to real world battalion and brigade commanders. Upon graduating Warrant Officer Candidate School, 151As now attend a 19 week course of instruction in the 128th Aviation Brigade at Fort Eustis which includes the WOBC and AMOC requirements taught at Fort Rucker as well as ensurARMY AVIATION Magazine
CW3 Thomas Parker is an instructor/writer for the 151A Course assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment, 128th Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA. 18
June 30, 2016
PEOPLE MAKE IT POSSIBLE “The U.S. Army had corrosion problems with the transmissions of their Chinook fleet; we had the solution. We fly Chinooks so we know the problems and how to fix them.” Paul Leach is the Director of Military Maintenance for Columbia Helicopters. With 5 years of military service and 23 years with Columbia, he’s the man for the job. Paul is a native of Oregon, decorated Gulf War Vet, and one of the over 300 proud employees that separate Columbia Helicopters from the rest. “Seeing our solutions make a difference for the folks who defend our freedom, that’s what I get excited about. There is no better feeling then knowing we’re helping our soldiers come home safe.” ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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Experience to fly, Knowledge to Maintain. Read Paul’s full story and others at colheli.com/ ourstory/faces. June 30, 2016
u AMRDEC Tech Talk
Hidden Risks During Shipboard Operations
U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMM SPEC. 2ND CL. JUSTIN YARBOROUGH
By Mr. Les Wiggins and Mr. Frank Collins
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ne of the more memorable days in an Army Aviator’s career can include joint operations with a U.S. Navy vessel. However, hidden in the scenic beauty of that nautical scene can lie dangers and risks that have the potential of ruining your trip.
An Army AH-64 Apache helicopter takes off from the flight deck of the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), Jan. 5, 2016.
It is important to note that while the Airworthiness Release (AWR) issued for your aircraft may not restrict shipboard operation that does not mean your aircraft has been qualified for shipboard operation. Qualification for shipboard operation is usually not a requirement for Army aircraft programs and is typically not included in developmental testing. Even though your aircraft type may have conducted shipboard operations in the past that does not mean your current aircraft series is qualified for shipboard operations. For example, the
the captain of the ship has final say. The ship captain maintains control of when you can approach the ship, which landing spot to use, and the status of your aircraft while aboard. During the Vietnam War, for example, aircraft were pushed overboard to free up needed deck space for arriving aircraft at the direction of the captain. HAZARD – Electromagnetic Environment Effects (E3). Shipboard surface and air radars and other shipboard emitters can create an electromagnetic field with intensities and frequencies
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
expanded wind envelop that was developed for the CH-47D under the Joint Shipboard Integration Process ( JSHIP) program does not apply to the CH-47F. Also, successful operation with a single ship does not qualify an aircraft for all ship types and sea conditions. The U.S. Navy NAVAIR Publication, Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume (NAECENG-7576), which is revised annually, lists DoD aircraft qualification by ship hull number. While your unit commander may accept the risk of shipboard operation, 20
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that are hazardous to your aircraft. This has the potential of causing misbehavior of various aircraft systems such as the fly-by-wire engine controllers (FADEC), navigation systems, communication systems, flight control systems (SCAS, Hold Modes), weapon systems, survivability systems (Chaff/flares), etc. For this reason, ships are instructed not to energize specific emitters while certain aircraft approach when potential conflicts are known to exist. Similarly, it may be wise to turn off aircraft systems that have not been approved for shipboard operation whenever possible. Risk Mitigation – Aircrews embarking upon a Naval vessel should obtain and review the AED classified HIRTA message for shipboard emitters and obtain an E3 brief from the ship including electromagnetic control (EMCON) and Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) procedures. HAZARD – Air Wake Turbulence. The wake in the water behind a ship is clearly visible, the air wake created by the ship as it moves through the atmosphere is unseen and difficult to pre-
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
dict. As an aviator approaches a ship, he should expect to encounter a variety of vortices and gusts that can buffet the aircraft laterally and vertically. As your rotor wash interacts with the ship deck and super structure, your aircraft can experience rapidly changing gusts that differ from the nose to the tail of your aircraft. These rapidly changing ship wake gusts can cause erroneous wind indications in your aircraft systems as well as heavy buffet. Excessive blade flapping and rotor hub damage can occur during shutdown as the rotor RPM decreases and the turbulent air around the ship buffets the aircraft (use your rotor break if equipped). Remember to secure the rotor during tie down. HAZARD – Additional hazards. The ship will continue to pitch, roll, and translate through the water, and change heading once you are on deck. Your aircraft may attempt to maintain a heading or attitude independent of ship motion if a HOLD Mode is engaged. Your navigation system may have trouble realigning on startup due to the excess motions. Unless your aircraft has undergone shipboard dynamic
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interface testing, many of the hazards and issues will not be documented. Risk Mitigation – Obtain a copy of the NATOPS manual for the type of ship on which you plan to operate and review arrival/departure procedures, wind envelopes, and other information. The following manuals can be downloaded from military publication websites and the AED also maintains a copy: the CV NATOPS (NAVAIR 00-80T105) pertains to carrier operations, the LHA/LHD NATOPS (NAVAIR 0080T-106), and the Air Capable Ship NATOPS (NAVAIR 00-80T-122) for operations with all other ship types. Before conducting exercises with U.S. Navy or other ships, consider contacting the AED for recommended operating practices and cautions unique to your aircraft and ship type. Mr. Les Wiggins and Mr. Frank Collins are engineers with the Aviation Engineering Directorate of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
June 30, 2016
u Ask the Flight Surgeon
Skin Cancer
By MAJ Jason MacDonnell, M.D.
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Should I be concerned about sun exposure in myself and family and what should I do for sun protection?
brimmed hat and sunscreen of at least spf 15 is another easy step to reduce lifetime exposure. Remember to move activities into the shade if possible and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Waivers Needed? FS: With summer in full swing, taking a second to address the risk of sun exposure and skin cancer is a good idea. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States with approximately one in five Americans developing skin cancer in their lifetime. While this is a significant number, many forms of skin cancer are easily treated and highly curable if detected early. Even more serious cancers like melanoma can have a high survival rate if caught early.
Risk Factors
There are several factors known to be associated with skin cancer, some that are controllable but some that are not. A genetic predisposition and family history are factors that play a role but currently there is no intervention to address this issue. Persons that are light skinned, have light color hair or eyes, burn easily or have a large number of moles are also more likely to develop skin cancer. However, factors that we can control include not using tanning beds, limiting sun exposure during work or leisure activities and the use of protective measures.
Many Types
Not all skin cancers are the same and not all sun damage to skin is cancer. Sun exposure is responsible for most of the changes that are seen in the skin over a life time. Solar lentigo, also known as liver or old age spots, can range from a few millimeters to over a centimeter in size, are usually tan to dark brown in color and are often found on sun exposed skin. While these are sometimes a cosmetic concern, they are considered ARMY AVIATION Magazine
benign or non-cancerous lesions. Red patches of dry, scaly skin with varying diameter presenting on sun exposed areas are a common presentation of actinic keratosis. While this is not a true cancer, it is considered a pre-cancerous lesion and should be evaluated. Basal cell carcinoma is a common cancer usually on the face that can be locally invasive but usually does not spread outside the local area. The most common lesion is a pink to flesh-colored spot with a pearly sheen. Squamous cell carcinoma is a skin cancer commonly found on the head and neck that can also be locally destructive but has a high rate of spreading to other areas of the body. It usually looks like a more developed form of the actinic keratosis, a red scaly dry patch of skin. Luckily both of these cancers are easily and effectively treated if recognized early. A more concerning skin cancer is melanoma. Even though melanoma accounts for 3 to 5 percent of skin cancer, it is responsible for approximately 75 percent of skin cancer deaths. These lesions are more likely to invade and metastasize to other areas without notice. Also, unlike basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, melanoma is more likely to appear on non-sun exposed skin (so look between your toes!).
Protection is Key
Simple steps can be taken to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Discontinuing the use of tanning beds is a good first step. While many think tan skin is cosmetically pleasing, tanning is actually an injury response of the skin. Consistently wearing a large 22
While yearly full body skin exams are not needed for the general population, people with increased risk should be aware of lesions on their skin. If there is any significant change in color, size or shape of existing lesions, set up an appointment with your primary care doctor for an evaluation. Aeromedical guidance does allow for waivers to be considered for an aircrew member with a history of skin cancer. Since basal cell carcinoma is easily treated and rarely spreads, no waiver is needed when it is adequately treated. Due to the increased risk of spread with squamous cell carcinoma, waivers are considered on a case by case basis. Melanoma’s ability to invade and affect other organs increases aeromedical risk, but can meet waiver requirements if caught early and treated. Take some time to get out and enjoy the summer weather with your friends and family, just remember to grab a hat, sunscreen and protect yourself from the sun. Stay safe! Dr. MacDonnell
Question for the Flight Surgeon?
If you have a question you would like addressed, email it to AskFS@quad-a. org; we’ll try to address it in the future. See your unit flight surgeon for your personal health issues. The views and opinions offered are those of the author and researchers and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless otherwise stated. MAJ (Dr.) Jason MacDonnell is a flight surgeon at the U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine, Fort Rucker, AL. June 30, 2016
Happy Birthday Organic Army Aviation! S
eventy-four years ago on June 6, 1942, in the middle of WWII, a memorandum from the United States War Department to the commanding general of Army Ground Forces authorized organic air observation for the Field Artillery. And so began modern Army Aviation as a key element of ground maneuver, separate and distinct from the Army Air Forces, which would later become the U.S. Air Force. From this humble beginning, flying Piper Cub L-4 “Liaison” aircraft to the present day, Army Aviation continues to be indispensable with commanders at every level relying on its capabilities to ensure mission accomplishment. From observation to medical evacuation; from resupply to air assault; from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to homeland security; from disaster relief to humanitarian rescue, Army Aviation is a vital element in the equation for success. Today, we salute the men and women throughout the Army Aviation Enterprise, past, present and future, for their contributions to our nation and look with confidence to the future as they continue to serve “Above the Best!” Happy Birthday Army Aviation!
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AAAA PHOTOS BY RENÉ BIDEZ AND ALICE BYRNE PAGANO
2016 Summit Recap
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14 01 – Opening session on Thursday morning, 29 April at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA.
06 –MG (Ret.) James Jackson, Director of the Department of Defense Office of the Vietnam War Commemoration, addresses the opening session.
02 –AAAA National President, BG (Ret.) E.J. Sinclair, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, Ms. Steffanie Easter, and AAAA Executive Director, Bill Harris open the Networking Technology Center.
07 – AAAA President BG (Ret.) Sinclair opens the 2016 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit.
03 –Army Aviation military and industry senior leaders conducted question & answer sessions at the Army Aviation community booth stage on the Networking Technology Center floor. 04 –Aviation Branch Chief, MG William K. Gayler, addresses the members of the NATO Helicopter Inter-Service Working Group which held meetings during the Summit. 05 –The Georgia National Guard Youth ChalleNGEe Program color guard presents the colors at the opening session. ARMY AVIATION Magazine
15 12 –Ms. Steffanie Easter, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, addresses the opening session.
13 –TRADOC chief of staff and deputy commanding general, LTG Kevin W. Mangum (center left) makes a point prior to the opening 08 –AAAA President BG (Ret.) Sinclair addresses session while talking with Aviation and Missile members of the Army National Guard during one of their training sessions conducted at the Summit. Command (AMCOM) commanding general, BG Douglas M. Gabram (center right), COL Dave Almquist, FORSCOM Aviation, and AAAA President 09 –AAAA National VP Membership, CW5 (Ret.) BG (Ret.) Sinclair. Dave Cooper, responds to a question during the Chapter Officer Workshop on the first day of the 14 –CW5 Leonte L. Cardona, Aviation Branch Summit. Maintenance Officer, and CW5 Richard Knowlton, command chief warrant officer of 1st Air Cav Bde., 10 –The Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor of talk with some attendees at the opening session. Georgia, welcomes attendees at the opening session. 15 – MG William K. Gayler addresses the opening session. 11 –U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) commanding general, GEN David G. Perkins, delivered the keynote address.
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16 – Director of Army Aviation, G-3/5/7, HQDA, COL J. Ray Davis (center), talks with attendees prior to the opening session.
Year is 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) – commander, LTC Scott Wilkinson (left), senior NCO, CSM James Wilson
17 – MG (Ret.) Tom Garrett (left) and MG (Ret.) Joe Bergantz getting some information from the 16SUMMIT app.
21 –The AAAA James H. McClellan Aviation Safety Award winner is CW4 Edward A. Pregana.
18 –The AAAA Joseph P. Cribbins Department of the Army Civilian of the Year, Mr. Lars Ericsson, holds his trophy.
22 –The AAAA Henry Q. Dunn Crew Chief of the Year, SSG Timothy Carnes, holds his award.
19 –The AAAA John J. Stanko Army National Guard Aviation Unit of the Year 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment commander, LTC Mike LaPoint (right), and senior NCO, CSM John Hicks, receive their award on behalf of the unit and were congratulated by LTG Timothy Kadavy (second from right), Chief of the Army National Guard. 20 –The AAAA Active Army Aviation Unit of the ARMY AVIATION Magazine
23 –The AAAA Rodney J.T. Yano NCO of the Year awardee, SFC James Lamping, poses with his wife and family after the presentation. 24 –The AAAA Robert M. Leich Award was presented to SFC Luke Backes whose wife, Crystina, accepted on his behalf. 25 – The National Awards trophies. 26 –Members of the AAAA Outstanding
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29 Aviation Unit of the Year award, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, Task Force No Mercy surround the permanent trophy which will be displayed at the Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, AL. 27 –The AAAA Michael J. Novosel Aviator of the Year Award winner, CW3 Mark W. Crane, makes his acceptance remarks. 28 –The AAAA U.S. Army Reserve Aviation Unit of the Year 8th Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment commander, LTC Roger Deon (left), and senior NCO, CSM Carl Sheckles, receive their award on behalf of the unit and were congratulated by BG Scott Morcomb (second from right), commanding general of the unit’s parent command, 11th Theater Aviation Command. 29 –The AAAA Aviation Soldier of the Year, SPC Emanuele Moore, shows off the trophy to his wife and children following the opening session. June 30, 2016
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33 –BG Douglas Gabram (3rd from right), AMCOM Commanding General, moderates a question and answer session with key AMCOM leaders in the Network Technology Center as COL Garner Pogue, CCAD, Cdr., answers a question.
30 –Around 7,000 attendees were able to get up close and network during this year’s Summit. 31 –AAAA President BG (Ret.) Sinclair joins the Chapter Sponsored Soldiers for a Kodak moment at the AAAA Community Booth.
34 –The AAAA Scholarship Foundation Inc. donors gather on stage for a group photo at the Scholarship and Museum Donation luncheon on the first full day of the Summit.
32 –AAAA National Treasurer, MG (Ret.) Tim Crosby moderates a question and answer session with senior industry leaders in the Networking Technology Center.
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35 –GEN (Ret.) James T. Thurman, stands beside his portrait with his wife, Dee, daughter, Jamie, granddaughter, Abigail, and grandson, Andrew, following his induction into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame at the Friday night banquet. 36 –Mrs. Travis Stewart (wearing medal), wife of the late COL Harvey E. Stewart a 2016 Army Aviation Hall of Fame inductee, stands at her husband’s Hall of Fame portrait with her family after representing her husband during the induction ceremony.
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37 –A table of Soldiers enjoying the 2016 Army Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on Friday night, April 29. 38 –Chairman of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame Board of Trustees Dr. (COL, Ret.) Hal Kushner conducts the 2016 induction ceremony. 39 –Army Aviation Hall of Fame inductee, CW5 Edmund W. Hubard III, stands with family and friends beside his portrait following the Friday night induction banquet.
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43 –AAAA National Senior Vice President, BG (Ret.) Stephen Mundt, opens the Saturday morning professional session.
40 –BG Erik C. Peterson, commanding general of the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) provided an update on special operations aviation.
44 –BG Frank W. Tate, deputy chief of staff for operations, Multinational Corps Northeast, North Atlantic Treaty Organization provides an update on Army Aviation in Europe.
41 –LTG Anthony G. Crutchfield, deputy commanding general of U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) gave attendees a glimpse of the future of Army Aviation in the Pacific.
45 –MG (Ret.) Wally Golden (far left) moderates a Deep Dive of key senior aviation leaders focused on building readiness as a total aviation force.
42 –BG Douglas Gabram, commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) provided insight into key elements of sustaining the fleet.
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46 –BG Robert L. Marion, the Army Program Executive Officer, Aviation, gives a portfolio update during the Saturday morning professional session.
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47 –PEO Aviation, BG Bob Marion (far right) , and each of the eight project managers, field questions during the aviation leader Q&A on Saturday afternoon. 48 –COL Duke Samouce, director of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Directorate of Simulation (DOS) provides a look at the status and future of Army Aviation simulations during a Deep Dive on Saturday afternoon. 49 –MG Clayton Hutmacher, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) fields questions from the audience on Saturday afternoon in the Networking Technology Center. 50 –Michelle Gayler, wife of Aviation Branch Chief, MG William Gayler, conducts a spouse professional session on transitioning to modern traditions on Saturday morning.
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51 –MG (Ret.) Stephen Mundt (far left) moderates a question and answer session with international aviation senior leaders Friday afternoon. 52 –Maria McConville, wife of LTG James McConville, U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff G-1, presented a spouse professional session on Living Life in Balance. 53 –The Army Aviation Museum Foundation Inc. donors gather on stage for a group photo at the Scholarship and Museum Donation luncheon on the first full day of the Summit. 54 –Summit attendees were able to get up close and personal with many aircraft and systems on the Networking Technology Center floor.
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55 –Members of “The Originals,” otherwise known as the Cub Club, gather for their annual luncheon social joined by one of AAAA’s founders, Dotty Kesten.
58 –Spouses were provided the opportunity to go on a CNN Tour both Thursday and Friday and a tour of the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center on Friday in conjunction with the Summit.
56 –227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cav Brigade members from Vietnam held their annual reunion concurrently with the AAAA Annual Summit.
59 –Country music star, Kellie Pickler, opened the entertainment for the informal dinner/concert the last evening of the Summit. 60 –For the third time, country music star, Trace Adkins, performed for the The Soldier Appreciation Dinner/Concert – a relaxed dinner and first rate concert, all in an informal setting.
57 –The Quilts of Valor Foundation’s mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. More info is available at qovf.org.
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Special Focus u Simulation & Training
Readiness Reporting – By COL (Ret.) Jimmy L. Meacham
U.S. ARMYAVIATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE GRAPHIC
Are We Ready?
Figure 1
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rmy leadership, military and civilian, must be able to clearly understand and accurately represent the Army’s state of readiness to conduct wartime missions. The current training and readiness reporting systems lack precise language defining what criteria must be met to progress to the next level of proficiency under which conditions, requiring which resources, to what standard, and as determined by whom? The current systems are very subjective, enabling commanders the maximum flexibility in interpreting training and reporting requirements. Under this flexible environment, innovative and motivated commanders have been training their units to the highest attainable level of proficiency, within the allocated resources, and reporting what they felt to be the intended end-state, readiness to deploy. The lack of objective task evaluation criteria introduces the opportunity for overconfidence in attained task proficiency and a potentially false impression of unit capability. Army senior leaders established a working group tasked with recommending changes to our current training and readiness reporting systems to foster confidence in the accuracy, applicability, and objectivity of the information presented.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Standardized METL
Deploying small units below brigade combat team/brigade level, though not desired, has become a common practice. When the Army transitioned to a brigade-centric force, it standardized brigade level mission essential task lists (METL), by type unit, to establish a baseline for training and readiness reporting. Subordinate units were required to develop their own task lists in support of their higher headquarters’ METL. Like-type units developed vastly different lists in both task focus and number. As such, two similar units reporting readiness to conduct combat operations were in reality reporting against different standards and capabilities. The new reality of deploying less than brigade sized units led the work group to recommend standardization of unit METL down to company sized organizations, by type. This approach enables focused training and readiness reporting against a standard list of tasks for a particular type of organization based on its designed capabilities.
Standardized Task Proficiency Criteria
Adding to the ambiguity and subjective nature of our current training evaluation and reporting systems are the use of terms like “most” and “many” when refer34
ring to the percentage of core functions and fundamental capabilities at which a unit must attain proficiency to be considered trained. “Most” can be assumed to be somewhere above 50% while “many” is even less well defined. To add more objectivity and precision to the process of reporting training readiness, an increase in the number of task assessment categories (e.g. T/P/U for Trained / Needs Practice / Untrained to T/T-/P/P-/U) has been recommended. Each of these training assessment categories will be defined by criteria specifying the complexity of the operational environment, the presence of a live-fire component if required, the percentage of authorized leaders and Soldiers participating, whether external evaluators are needed, and the percentage of performance measures (leader, critical, and overall) which must be successfully completed to achieve each rating for the selected collective task. These criteria would be included in a matrix format (figure 1 is an example) added as part of the Training and Evaluation Outline (T&EO) for each collective task and accessible through the Digital Training Management System (DTMS).
Unit Training Management
The proposed evaluation matrix not only serves to define the criteria under June 30, 2016
Commander-to-Commander Dialogue
There should be periodic communications between unit leadership and higher headquarters to ensure synchronization of effort during development of the unit training plan. Topics should include, at a minimum, prioritization of Standardized Mission Essential Tasks and any additional directed Mission Essential Tasks, the unit’s targeted T-Level based on time and positioning in the force pool, and any significant resource gaps identified during the planning process. Once the training plan is developed there must be a back-brief to higher headquarters to gain concurrence from the higher commander on the planned priorities, objectives, and approach. The evaluation matrix would be a useful tool during this exchange in identifying potential resource challenges that require support from the higher headquarters to ensure success. If higher commits to providing the required support the training plan should stand. If higher is unable to resource the required support the training event could remain with a decrease in the attainable readiness objective in accordance with the matrix or the event could be eliminated or replaced. Any level of support short of that required by the evaluation matrix should be accompanied by a discussion on the resulting risk to achieving the targeted readiness level and impact to the training plan. This exchange serves as a contract between echelons on resources, confirmation of training proficiency goals, and identification and shared acceptance of risks to achieving training objectives.
Gunnery Gates
Another component of standardizing training and readiness reporting is the development of a gated gunnery stratARMY AVIATION Magazine
U.S. ARMYAVIATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE GRAPHIC
which tasks must be executed to achieve the desired training outcome but also aids in the identification of resources required to support a unit’s training plan. As you can see in Figure 1, the ability to achieve the desired outcome, a “T,” brings with it a requirement to resource a dynamic and complex operational environment, a range, a maneuver area/airspace, Soldiers available to participate in the training event, and external evaluators. In the development of the unit training plan, analysis of the associated evaluation matrices will aid in identification of the resources which must be resourced to achieve the desired outcome of the training event.
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egy that identifies live-fire proficiency requirements which must be achieved to progress to successive levels of readiness. Gates are defined by unit type and echelon, qualification or training event, and corresponding unit training proficiency level. Figure 2 is a chart representing the currently proposed gated Aviation gunnery requirements. Many of these gated events are more aggressive and demanding than the events we currently conduct. The training focus of the recent past has been on company level and below proficiency while the trend for the future is moving toward achieving maneuver and gunnery proficiency of larger formations based on the potential need to conduct combined arms maneuver against a nearpeer enemy, with a smaller U.S. Army.
Sustaining Readiness
In response to the down-sizing of the Army and the evolution from a deployment-centric force generation model of the last decade to a force ready to deploy and fight to meet the uncertainties of the future, a flexible and responsive method of identifying and resourcing units to meet projected deployable force requirements is being developed. The intended outcome is elimination of the “readiness cliff ” drop in capability that units of the past experienced on return from deployment. Our smaller Army cannot meet its requirements without every element maintaining a level of readiness which allows it to quickly achieve a decisive action capable status. An approach being considered is development of a set of progressive quarter-long modules which define a unit’s resource priority and readiness objectives. These modules would be assigned to units identified with near-term mission requirements in a rapidly progressive method, reference 35
resourcing and readiness objectives, to prepare them to meet their mission requirements. Those units with a far-term mission requirement would be assigned a succession of lower priority quarterly readiness modules until they approach closer to their mission requirement. This approach provides greater flexibility than the standard two-year ARFORGEN model of the past, allowing more precise application of resources and clear transmission of the readiness level expectations for units. Those units without a projected mission within the planning window may be assigned a succession of lesser resource and readiness modules which will maintain their ability to rapidly progress to a higher readiness level should unforeseen mission requirements emerge. The limited number of Aviation units and historically high demand for our presence will likely drive the assignment of the higher levels of readiness modules to most Aviation units.
Summary
In a world of constant change, our Army must anticipate future requirements and change our systems in preparation for, rather than in reaction to, future demands. Global unrest, force reductions, and an uncertain fiscal environment are key considerations influencing this analysis. These uncertainties reinforce the need for a change in our training and reporting systems to provide the ability to clearly understand and accurately portray our force’s readiness to deter conflict when possible and win convincingly when necessary. COL (Ret.) Jimmy Meacham is a senior training and doctrine analyst with the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Directorate of Training and Doctrine, Ft. Rucker, AL. June 30, 2016
Special Focus u Simulation & Training
Directorate of Simulation (DOS)
What It Can Do For You. By COL Duke Samouce
Full motion virtual simulators, Operational Flight Trainers, and Instrument Flight Trainers at Warrior Hall.
T
here are many different organizations located at the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE). You may not have ever heard of the Directorate of Simulation or if you have, not know what it does to serve Army aviation. With an operating budget of over $125M a year and over 200 contract, Department of the Army Civilians and military personnel, DOS has many robust capabilities that serve Army Aviation. DOS is broken down into four divisions: Simulator Development & Accreditation Division, Operations Division, Simulation Integration Division and Simulator Requirements Integration / Flight School XXI Simulation Services Management Division. The following is what each division is responsible for and how it serves Army aviation.
Simulator Development & Accreditation Division
Four active army personnel and nine DACs man this division and act as subject matter experts (SME) for the various Army helicopter platforms. As the exARMY AVIATION Magazine
ecutive agent for the Aviation Branch Chief, the DOS provides management oversight of approximately 400 simulator/simulation systems. Army Regulation 5-11, “Management of Army Modeling and Simulation” empowers simulator proponents as the accreditation authority for simulators. As the Aviation Branch proponent, the commanding general of USAACE maintains this overall responsibility. Accreditation of these 400 simulator systems is accomplished through a dedicated crew of SME. The DOS SMEs ensure system requirement documents and training plans include appropriate simulation strategies for the different aircraft platforms as part of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System documentation process ( JCIDS). Aircraft SMEs develop fidelity analysis for their respective aircraft platforms to support training strategies as part of the TRADOC Analysis, Design, Development, Implement, and Evaluate (ADDIE) Process. Aircraft SMEs assist in verification/validation and conduct accreditation (VV&A) 36
for all Aviation simulation systems and all scheduled concurrency upgrades to determine the “trainability” of each fielded system. DOS ensures training solutions are developed to meet training requirements for institutional and fielded units stationed across the Army. The point of contact (POC) is Mrs. Debbie Blanchard, 334-255-3297.
Operations Division
Four active Army personnel and 14 DAC and contractor personnel man this division. The DOS Operations Division is responsible for synchronizing the capabilities of the Aviation Warfare Simulations Center (AWSC) with the individual & collective training requirements of ten professional military education (PME) institutions located at the USAACE. During FY 15, DOS supported 121 collective training events under various programs of instruction that graduated 3,065 students. For example, DOS supported the Aviation Captains Career Course with two constructive exercises and one virtual capstone exercise that June 30, 2016
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June 30, 2016
ALL PHOTOS U.S. ARMY PHOTOS BY MR. OTIS WHITE, USAACE DOS
Gaming technology based Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3) Pilot and Gunner Computer Workstations with peripherals that are used for the Air Cavalry Leaders Course.
An Aviation Captains Career Course (AVC3) Small Group Leader (SGL) observes a virtual exercise; Directorate of Simulation Battle Masters serve as exercise controllers; and an NCO Academy SGL observes a constructive exercise.
provided challenging scenarios at brigade and below with training focus on mission command and operational planning in a peer hybrid threat environment. A new initiative, The Aviation Cavalry Leaders Course (ACLC) was developed as an intense two week exercise that provides focus on squadron level operations involving a peer hybrid threat problem. Our mission command arts and sciences program produced 2,423 graduates across 205 classes that focused on individual operator training for several systems: Command Post of the Future (CPOF), Force XXI battle Command Brigade & Below (FBCB2), and the Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS). Future efforts include the production of a constructive and virtual model of the geo-rectified Caspian Sea database that will be the future terrain database to compliment the Decisive Action Training environment (DATE). The overall intent of this effort is to create a one world database for DATE that all USAACE PME institutions can use together in a concerted effort. The projected delivery of this product is on glide slope for the end of FY16. POC – LTC Steven Waldrop, 334-255-2189
SID enables the DOS to successfully accomplish other key mission areas: 1. Plan, coordinate and develop advanced simulation training capabilities. 2. Support collective training events and exercises for USAACE as well as other outside agencies. 3. Support the integration of FSXXI simulators and systems into the DOS Network Architecture. 4. Provide Geo-Specific Terrain databases for simulators and other systems utilized for training support. 5. Maintaining and sustaining the DOS Network Accreditation and Authority to Operate (ATO). SID is responsible for the support and technical integration of terrain, models, training aids, simulation devices, simulators, and simulation systems that create the operational training environment. This training environment is comprised of computer systems, visualization and audiovisual equipment, Distributive Interactive Simulation (DIS) networks, servers, routers, network switches, logging and playback systems, simulated radios, simulators, mission command systems, and all associated software and hardware. In order to maintain the DOS Network Accreditation and Authority To Operate (ATO), all of the software, hardware, and network diagrams are maintained and tracked for Remote Management Framework (RMF) compliance. POC – Mr. Wayne Godwin, 334-255-6647
Simulation Integration Division
Four DACs and 19 contract personnel man this division. The Simulation Integration Division (SID) is responsible for supporting US Army Live, Virtual, Constructive, Gaming (LVC-G) based training events utilizing the DOS simulation capabilities and infrastructure. The Contractors and Government Staff support and enable Initial Military Training (IMT) and Professional Military Education (PME) training and efforts. The technical support provided by ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Simulator Requirements Integration and Flight School XXI Simulation Services Management Division (SRID/FSXXI) Two active military, five DAC and 151 contract personnel man this divi38
sion. SRID/FSXXI members serve as the Flight School XXI (FS XXI) Simulation Program and Project Managers for USAACE and requirements integrators for other government-owned simulators used in support of the FS XXI and graduate flight training program of instruction (POI). The division manages the overall FSXXI simulations program for USAACE; ensures user requirements are defined and met; manages the testing efforts of FSXXI simulation services: 1. Coordinates for and manages the support from other DOS entities and across USAACE. 2. Develops management oversight procedures, processes, and methodologies for implementation and continuing performance of the contract. 3. Evaluates and resolves issues and discrepancies with FSXXI Simulation Services. 4. Develops long-range program plans to include new resource requirements, new systems, and concurrency upgrades. 5. Ensures development and execution of simulator accreditation test procedures. Additionally SRID/FSXXI develops and coordinates requirements and upgrades to government-owned simulations used in support of the FS XXI POI on Fort Rucker. POC – Mr. Kevin Hottell, 334-255-1992
COL Duke Samouce is the director of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Directorate of Simulation at Fort Rucker, AL. June 30, 2016
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June 30, 2016
Special Focus u Simulation & Training Flight School XXI Simulation Services
–
Meeting Future Warfighter Needs
FSXXI SIMULATION SERVICES PMO PHOTO
By MAJ Matthew T. McMannes and CW5 (Ret.) Ronald J. Ferrell
M
uch of the simulator support for United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) rotary wing training is provided through the Flight School XXI simulation services contract. The prime contractor for Flight School XXI is CSRA, Inc. with contract management and oversight provided by the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI). In 2014, as a result of the Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI) and modernization of the Army fleet of aircraft, changes to training programs of instruction (POI) and platforms utilized on Fort Rucker began to adjust to meet the requirements created by these initiatives. These changes included introduction and increased utilization of the UH-60M, CH-47F, and AH-64E; the reduction in utilization of the UH60A/L; and the removal of the CH47D and OH-58D from the training inventory. ARI also directed the removal and replacement of the TH-67 with the UH-72A as the primary IERW training helicopter. Early analysis of the ARI
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
and modernization efforts resulted in a recommendation from the Directorate of Simulation to begin this same transition in the Fort Rucker simulator fleet.
Training Helicopter Services
Starting in March 2004, CSRA, began work on delivery of individual and crew training simulator services supporting Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW), Graduate Flight, Foreign Military, Active and Reserve Component, and limited Air Force rotary wing training. The initial contracted services included support for the TH67 and TH-1H platforms. CSRA provided these training solutions in their simulator devices housed in CSRA’s contractor-owned facility, Warrior Hall, located in Daleville, Alabama. To mirror the transition happening on the flight line, the TH-67 non-motion Instrument Flight Trainers (IFT) and full-motion Operational Flight Trainers (OFT) will be removed on a scaled phase-out plan and replaced by UH72A IFT/OFTs over the next four 40
Above left: The Reconfigurable Training Devices (RCTD) at the Aviation Warfighter Simulation Center (AWSC) on Ft. Rucker, AL contain simulator cockpits that can be reconfigured to multiple cockpit configurations. Above right: Non-motion Instrument Flight Trainers (IFT) (three on left with white supports) and full-motion Operational Flight Trainers (OFT) (remainder with black electric servos) at CSRA’s contractor-owned facility, Warrior Hall, Ft. Rucker, AL.
years. The phase-out plan is designed around the evolving USAACE IERW POI and will match the flow of student throughput as it shifts towards the new UH-72A training helicopter. To meet this requirement, CSRA is currently in the process of removing TH67 simulators to make way for the first UH-72A device expected to be ready for training (RFT) in September 2016. At end state, there will be ten UH-72A Cockpit Procedure Trainers (CPT), 14 IFTs, and eight OFTs. The complete transition to a pure UH-72A simulator fleet is expected in April 2019. June 30, 2016
Advanced Aircraft Virtual Simulator Services
In the same manner as the training helicopter fleet, the Advanced Aircraft Virtual Simulator (AAVS) IFT and OFTs utilized for individual and crew training are also being upgraded as legacy devices are being removed. The OH-58D and CH-47D simulators were completely removed from training in October 2014. These removals were predicated on the delivery of one CH-47F OFT device in February 2013 which grew to three CH47F devices by April 2016. Three UH60M OFT devices were added in 2014 and this number will grow to eight devices with three more being delivered by April 2017 and an additional two slated for delivery in 2018. These increases in devices are indicative of the shift in POI student throughput from the legacy devices to the modern platforms. For example, there were eight UH-60A/L devices in training at the inception of the FSXXI contract. As the bulk of the training focus shifts away from the UH-60A/L and moves towards the UH-60M, the number of devices by type will change to match student throughput with a final allotment of four UH-60A/L and eight UH-60M by 2018.
Collective Training Simulator Services
sion planning and execution and challenges units to operate as a whole against a simulated opposing force. Following these exercises, after action review (AAR) capabilities reveal strengths and weakness identified during the mission. Fair fight interoperability in a Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) allows the RCTD to connect with other maneuver training centers to conduct joint simulations. For many years, the RCTDs were the primary means for providing deploying aviation units with a pre-deployment aviation training exercise (ATX). While ATXs have transitioned to home station events, this virtual training environment is now an integral part of Professional Military Education (PME) courses; Aviation Leadership Exercise (ALE), Aviation Cav Leaders Course (ACLC), Aviation Captains Career Course (AVC3), and the Aviation Warrant Officer Advance Course (AWOAC). For this reason, the RCTD is not immune to the ARI and modernization driven changes and is in the process of being upgraded to catch-up with the fielded fighting force. The current fleet of aircraft configurations available in the RCTD include AH-64D Lot 10, UH-60A/L, and CH-47D with future deliveries slated to provide AH-64D
v13.1, AH-64E, CH-47F, and UH60M capabilities. The modern fleet of airframes will be introduced to the RCTD in phases with AH-64D v13.1 and UH-60M delivery planned for April 2017. The AH-64E and CH-47F delivery will occur in phase two slated to be complete in June 2018. At Fort Rucker, simulation is a key enabler to almost every training program of instruction tenet to the base, touching on close to forty percent of the training that occurs. As training POIs at Fort Rucker evolve, it is paramount that a corresponding shift is echoed in the simulations support provided to those training functions. Flight School XXI simulation services provides this flexibility and has been able to quickly adapt to this ever progressing landscape to provide meaningful training capabilities at the individual, crew, and collective levels for close to 12 years. MAJ Matthew T. McMannes is the Program Executive Office Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) assistant program manager for Flight School XXI and CW5 (Ret.) Ronald J. Ferrell is a military analyst on the program; both are assigned to the Flight School XXI Simulation Services Program Office at Ft. Rucker, AL.
In addition to the IFT/OFT simulators located at Warrior Hall, the Flight School XXI contract also includes a requirement to provide a collective training environment at the Aviation Warfighter Simulation Center (AWSC) located on Fort Rucker. The Flight School XXI Reconfigurable Collective Training Devices (RCTD) began training in March 2005, with a single lot of six manned modules capable of being configured as a common or composite mix of AAVS including AH-64A/D, CH-47D, OH58D, or UH-60A/L. By October 2008, two more lots were delivered for a total of three lots providing 18 manned modules for training. These devices provide collective training capability for command and staff elements and are capable of simulating virtual missions in day, night, and night vision device (NVD) conditions on a number of geo-specific terrain databases with capabilities to change visibility due to weather or weapons effects. The RCTD integrates with digital Tactical Operation Centers (TOC) enabling personnel at the brigade level and below to exercise command and staff troop leading skills. This type of training includes misARMY AVIATION Magazine
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Special Focus u Simulation & Training
National Training Center – Eagle Team Update: Evolving the DATE By LTC Zachary Mundell
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he Eagle Team at the National Training Center (NTC) continues to focus on providing world-class training to aviation professionals. Our charter remains to coach, teach and mentor aviation task forces on the application and execution of joint and multinational decisive action aviation operations supporting unified land operations in a realistic, competitive environment. Our aim is to improve the warfighting skills, integration, and effectiveness of multi-functional aviation task forces as they prepare for combat. Every unit that trains at the NTC will leave better prepared for the reality of combat in today’s increasingly complex environment. Our team is currently focused on several initiatives impacting the greater Army Aviation community in the Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE): reshaping the command relationships of rotational units to more closely resemble how we will fight; improving the air defense threat to include similar capabilities to those specified in DATE 2.0 in order to provide aviators a realistic threat environment to maneuARMY AVIATION Magazine
ver against; enhancing the training outcomes for units by fully incorporating smaller-scale, free-play training exercises (Downed Aircraft Recovery (DART), Personnel Recovery (PR), etc.) into the rotational design.
Adjusting Task Organization
The NTC’s charter is to train brigade combat teams (BCT) for operations in the DATE. The NTC accomplishes this through a robust, complex training facility infrastructure, scenario design and a professional opposing force that replicates both conventional and unconventional threats. Although aviation task forces receive world-class training at the NTC, they have been largely incorporated as an enabler element during rotations and have been placed in direct support (DS) to the training BCT. In April 2016 we initiated a new construct in which the aviation task force is task organized under the division for the duration of the exercise. Reflecting the most likely task organization construct aviation units will experience in a combat situation, 42
this adjustment also allows the division and Eagle Team to ensure that aviation task forces are fully trained in their core competencies while at the NTC. Units that participate in future rotations at the NTC should expect to execute both combined arms maneuver (CAM) and wide area security (WAS) missions that cover the full menu of Army Aviation’s core competencies. Aviation task forces will be tasked to conduct missions in support of both the division and the rotational BCT. With an increased emphasis on deliberate attack and air assault missions driven at the division-level, units should expect to employ companies and platoons in maneuver through the full range of operations. This includes an increase in missions to include deliberate attacks against enemy armor and artillery formations, air assaults to seize key terrain, and screen/guard missions along the division flank.
Enhanced Threat Capabilities
With the emergence and sustainment of the Global War on Terror, the focus of Army Aviation’s threat trainJune 30, 2016
Soldiers from Co. E, 3-501 AVN conduct refueling and rearming operations at TAA Apocalypse during NTC Rotation 16-05.
ing shifted from conventional enemy forces to unconventional, smaller-scale threats. Our combat training centers (CTCs) quickly followed suit, developing new infrastructure (including towns and forward operating bases (FOBs)) and adjusting opposing force tactics to fit the reality that our forces would likely face in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. A side-effect of this shift was the neglect of the enemy air defense (ADA) threat, except for a few aging systems that remain in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR) inventory. Unfortunately, with this shift came an elimination of the ADA unit that once was organic to 11th ACR, including the loss of all ADA personnel. The result has been a loss of threat capabilities at the NTC and limited ability to replicate current threat ADA capabilities. The Eagle Team has been actively working with 11th ACR, PEO-STRI and other Army agencies to recreate this threat to the greatest extent possible. In addition, aviation units training at the NTC must deploy will all aircraft ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Enhanced Micro Exercise Incorporation
Over the past year and a half the NTC has shifted the standard rotational design from including situational training exercise (STX) lanes at the beginning to incorporating full force-onforce operations from start to end. This has resulted in enhanced training at the BCT and TF level and a de-emphasis on small unit training. Whereas in the past aviation task forces could expect to have five days focused on team and platoon skills, those micro training events must now be scripted into the overall rotational design, which fluctuates according to actions and reactions of both friendly and enemy forces. Although we no longer run a dedicated PR lane, the team has developed mobile lanes that move with the overall rotational scenario in order to focus on opportunity training. Aviators who are shot down by enemy fire should expect to escape and evade through enemy territory. DART exercises now focus almost exclusively on the same training opportunities wherein aircraft have been
Tips for Aviation Units
While the list of skills and tasks required to succeed at the NTC is too exhaustive to cover in an article, we would advise units to focus on mastering basic Soldier and unit skills during home station training. All of them will be tested in one way or another at the NTC. In addition, units should train on simultaneous, overlapping missions. For example, task forces must be able to manage a deliberate attack mission, air assault planning, a MEDEVAC mission and convoy operations simultaneously. Task forces should also focus shifting from de-centralized planning to centralized planning at the task force level and decentralized execution by companies and platoons. Many units struggle due to unfamiliarity or not using their own standing operating procedures (SOPs). We recommend that task forces organize early and use their SOPs in their pre-rotational training to build familiarity and competence across Soldiers from 3-501 AVN conduct a rehearsal for their tactical road march during NTC Rotation 16-05.
U.S. ARMY EAGLE TEAM PHOTO
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT JACOB RYKKEN, EAGLE TEAM FSC TRAINER
survivability equipment (ASE) installed and functional in order to test those systems and train personnel on how those systems mitigate the ADA threat. The Eagle Team stands fully committed to rebuilding this threat capability at the NTC in order to provide the most realistic training possible for Army aviators.
shot down by enemy forces and must be recovered. Attacks against the Aviation tactical assembly area (TAA) are no longer scripted by the team, but develop according to the flow of the rotation. Units which choose not to secure their perimeters and that pose easy targets will be attacked frequently, as Aviation formations pose significant payoff targets for enemy forces. Those units that portray a formidable target are less likely to experience the same attacks.
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U.S. ARMY EAGLE TEAM PHOTO
An AH-64 from Co. C, 1-501 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion observes enemy movement while conducting reconnaissance operations during NTC Rotation 16-05.
the organization. Finally, commanders should evaluate their air mission commander (AMC) training programs to ensure AMCs are as prepared as platoon leaders and company/troop commanders to operationally fight their formations. AMC proficiency must go beyond masterful aircraft employment to expert tactical maneuver of platoon and company formations.
Conclusion
As the Army continues to refine Aviation doctrine, the CTCs carry a unique charter to provide feedback on current tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and the application of doctrine by Aviation units. The Eagle Team regularly participates in round table discussions with leaders from the other CTCs to share observations, in-
sights and lessons learned (OIL). Over the past year we have assisted with doctrinal reviews and course formulation for the Aviation school house, including the Captains Career Course and the Air Cavalry Leader’s Course at Fort Rucker, AL. We have also launched new initiatives in conjunction with Operations Group at the NTC to regularly publish OIL in the Joint Lessons Learned Information System ( JLLIS) as well as our professional journal Aviation Digest and ARMYAVIATION magazine. The purpose of all of these efforts is to ensure that the force is fully informed about challenges units are experiencing and to fully develop our warfighting capabilities as a force. The Eagle Team is proud of its heritage of training America’s aviators and we stand ready to continue this tradition into the future as we confront our nation’s emerging threats. Train the Force! LTC Zachary Mundell is the senior aviation operations trainer with Eagle Team, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA.
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Special Focus u Simulation & Training
Joint Readiness Training Center – Alpha Team Update:
Training Deliberate Attack Operations in Decisive Action
ALL PHOTOS U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SCOTT GIBSON JRTC VIDEOGRAPHER
By LTC Bryan Chivers and MAJ Adam Camarano
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he Attack has long been the defining offensive task for Army Aviation. Today we find ourselves in an interesting transition period where current conflict calls for maintaining proficiency in the current era of team tactics while the Army focuses on training for the decisive action fight, a more deliberate employment of AH-64s at the platoon and higher level. Maintaining proficiency in two distinctly different mission sets is an incredible challenge, and commanders must strike a delicate balance between training for the current fight and being prepared to meet emerging threats. This emphasizes the importance of why home station training for the deliberate attack is so crucial. Observations of Aviation task forces at the Joint Readiness Training Center ( JRTC) show an overall lack of proficiency in planning and executing offensive operations. A generation of officers that have only known and experienced combat in Iraq and Afghanistan largely attributed to this. In order to bridge the experience gap and re-invigorate training towards company level offensive ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Above: Task Force TALON AH-64D crew destroying targets during JRTC Rotation 16-06. Left: 1-509th Parachute Infantry Regiment OPFOR Soldiers (Geronimo) employing the MAST system during JRTC Rotation 16-06.
operations, JRTC Aviation Division introduced a training event designed specifically to train rotational task forces on the planning and execution of the deliberate attack.
Deliberate Attack Training Event
In the JRTC scenario, the Aviation Task Force is given a mission to attack an enemy marshalling area and air defense facility in order to set the conditions for the rotational brigade combat team joint forcible entry operations. The training event is designed to provide the aviation task force an opportunity to conduct deliberate planning and execution focused 46
on the engagement area development steps. It is specifically designed to reinforce the most common challenges of attack planning: intelligence preparation of the battlefield, integrating the engagement area, direct fire planning, and fire control. The ultimate goal of the JRTC training event is to develop a basic level of understanding to successfully execute a deliberate attack during the rotation and achieve a bench mark to train at home station following the rotation. With a little bit of creativity and use of training aids, training for the deliberate attack is relatively easy and inexpensive to train at home station. There is a multitude of resources to assist the S3 in building a complete training vignette or extended scenario. The Army Aviation Training Strategy (22 January 2016) describes available resources for training June 30, 2016
scenarios and lays out an example Live/ Virtual/Gaming-Constructive training concept. Additionally, the TRADOC G-27 Operational Environment Training Support Center provides a complete suite of web-based training tools, to include a repository of training support packages and vignettes, as well as the Virtual OPFOR academy that provides information to learn and replicate OPFOR counter tasks to achieve unit training objectives. A dual-pronged approach and focused training effort can create a gated training strategy to build towards battalion level proficiency and beyond. By focusing on the staff and the companies simultaneously in a nested training plan, the battalion can move towards a culminating training validation.
Staff Planning and Company Battle Drill
Units should initially build the basic level of proficiency using the staff and company level Combined Arms Training Strategy Tasks. During this phase the battalion staff focuses on steps one through three of the engagement area development. A successful scenario construct requires the commander, S2, and S3 to develop a framework for the operation to include defining the enemy through a background narrative to describe the road to war and a doctrinal template that facilitates unit training objectives. Once the construct is established, the staff can execute an engagement area development planning exercise. During this planning exercise the staff conducts intelligence preparation of the battlefield, selects the ground for the attack, and integrates the engagement area with the goal of producing the plan. During this step, the companies conduct battle drill rehearsals, leveraging the Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT), and live execution to refine and build proficiency in drills such as battle position selection and occupation, masking/unmasking procedures, manned/unmanned teaming training, call for fire, and basic gunnery skills. This phase should culminate with a staff and aircrew terrain walk of the engagement area in the local training area to validate the S2’s terrain analysis and the staff ’s integration of the engagement area. By physically walking the terrain, the participants achieve a true appreciation of the effects of vegetation and micro terrain battlefield geometry that does not manifest itself by looking at map or computer products. ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Task Force TALON AH-64D crew maneuvering while executing a deliberate attack during JRTC Rotation 16-06.
Company Level Direct Fire Planning/Execution
Upon completion of the staff planning and company battle drill phase, the training transitions to company level focus on direct fire planning. The newly released ATP 3-04.1, Aviation Tactical Employment, outlines this process in detail and highlights the necessity for the battalion commander and staff involvement in the bottom up refinement by the company planners. Upon order production by the company planning cells, the focus shifts to rehearsals to ensure all crew members understand the plan. Prior to live execution, the commander should validate his planning and battle drill training through AVCATT rehearsals. The AVCATT can facilitate the virtual training environment to conduct the operations as well as allow leaders to observe real-time all aspects of the mission with minimal cost. It’s also a great AAR and retraining tool prior to live execution. After successfully passing the planning and rehearsal gates, the company is ready for live execution. Commanders should prioritize the training event to focus the battalion and company to maximize the training for the battalion. The battalion can accomplish a holistic training event by incorporating the staff to facilitate mission command, the FARP to arm and fuel the aircraft, and adjacent companies as observers and opposition forces. The key component to live execution is the incorporation of objective grading criteria to facilitate after action reviews and identify areas that need retraining. The grading criteria should serve a dual purpose to validate the planning and execution. Criteria such as time spent in battle position, time to acquire targets, percentage of targets hit, and number of targets engaged multiple times develop valuable lessons learned and lead to more refined 47
planning and battle drills. The analysis of gun tapes and observers to gather after action review data greatly increases the productivity of the after action review (AAR) and illuminates tangible discussion points.
Adding Levels of Complexity
As proficiency grows at the platoon and company level units can add greater levels of complexity to build on the foundation and increase the level of integration with maneuver units, fires, close air support, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and threat. Combined arms integration and manned-unmanned teaming can easily be replicated in the AVCATT through linking the system to the Close Combat Tactical Trainer and UAS universal mission simulator. Units should include threat replication to increase complexity and enforce repercussions to poor tactics exposed during execution. The Man-Portable Aircraft Survivability Trainer (MAST) is a training device to replicate manportable air defense threats that both stimulate the aircraft common missile warning system and records engagements for playback during the AAR. The MAST is used extensively at the Joint Readiness Training Center and provides excellent feedback to aircrews on the effectiveness of their tactics. Training the deliberate attack is an effective way to build combat skills that will ensure the AH-64’s lethality across all operations. The proficiency gained by massing and coordinating fires on targets ensures that the tremendous capabilities of attack aviation can shape the fight in favor of the ground force commander. No Slack! All the Way! LTC Bryan Chivers is the senior aviation trainer and MAJ Adam Camarano is the senior command post trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Ft. Polk, LA. June 30, 2016
Special Focus u Fixed Wing
Slipstream vortices from an RC-12X Guardrail/Common Sensor aircraft.
The Fixed Wing Project Office and Army Fixed Wing Aviation
Optimizing Modernization for Enhanced Capabilities and Readiness By COL Stephen B. Clark and Ms. Tracey Ayres
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he Fixed Wing Project Office (FWPO) oversees the life cycle management and system safety of more than 300 aircraft spanning a diverse fleet of 30 aircraft types providing time sensitive movement of key personnel, supplies and equipment as well as critical Airborne ISR capabilities. With approximately 25% of the fleet forward deployed, last year the fixed wing fleet flew a total of 149,648 hours averaging an OPTEMPO of 154.5 hours and a mission capable rate of 94.4%.
Leveraging the Commercial Market for Capabilities and Readiness
Since the divestiture of the OV-1 Mohawk in 1996, the Army has relied on the commercial aviation market for platform capabilities and logistics support. This rather unique approach has proven highly effective in mission
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
accordance with FAA standards. By doing this, we are able to leverage the existing world-wide commercial supply chain and nearly eliminate government warehousing of repair parts as well as reduce logistics turn-around time.
Modernization Updates Communications and Electronic Attack, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) aircraft
accomplishment as well as readiness and supply chain management all while reducing program technical risks. With 133 basing locations distributed across all 50 states and 13 countries, our readiness approach is 100% performance-based CLS with all Army airplanes maintained in
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The Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS) provides the Army the ability to detect, locate, and track ground targets in real time, day/night, near-allweather-conditions with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness. Based on the King Air 350ER, EMARSS leverages developmental and existing quick response capabilities (QRC) to provide a fleet of 24 multi-variant ISR aircraft specializing in signals, communications, geospatial intelligence (SIGINT, COMINT, GEOINT) and Ground/
June 30, 2016
U.S. ARMY FIXED WING PROJECT OFFICE GRAPHIC
Dismount Moving Target Indicator (GMTI/DMTI) radar while sharing over 80% configuration commonality. The EMARSS-S variant recently completed fielding to the 224th Aerial Exploitation Battalion in Savannah, GA. The remaining variants are in modification and test with fielding projected through FY19. The Airborne Reconnaissance LowEnhanced (ARL-E) program is a modernization-in-service effort to lifecycle replace the nearly 40 year old DHC-7 aircraft and sensor suite. Based on the larger yet more efficient DHC-8 turboprop, ARL-E will leverage existing QRC sensor capabilities to provide a more robust multi-INT sensor suite as well as develop a long range GMTI/ DMTI synthetic aperture radar (SAR) while incorporating a plug and play architecture with real-time on-board data processing and exploitation. The first two of nine total aircraft are in initial modification with aircraft fielding from FY19-23. The RC-12 Guardrail continues its 40+ year legacy to provide the Army’s most capable SIGINT platform. With ongoing divestiture of the RC-12K, N, and P models, the RC-12X will remain an enduring capability into the 2030s. Current modernization efforts include the addition of Full Motion Video (FMV) and Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) compliance. The Fixed Wing Utility Aircraft (FUA) program will replace the current ARMY AVIATION Magazine
operational support airlift (OSA) fleet of C-12 and C-26 aircraft that are beyond their Economic Useful Life and not capable of meeting current range and payload requirements. The program is currently in the requirements validation phase and will enter the acquisition cycle at MS C in FY17. The jet fleet consisting of UC-35, C-20 and C-37 aircraft are projected to remain in service into the 2030s with modernization efforts focused on Global Airspace interoperability and secure data/voice cabin communications.
Quick Reaction Capabilities
In addition to programs of record, the FWPO together with the Sensors-Aerial Intelligence Project Office (PM S-AI) provides system safety and contract management for 12 QRC programs, totaling 53 aircraft. These QRCs are often contractor owned or operated and are critical to meeting existing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) orbit requirements or offer unique capabilities. Two such capabilities are electronic attack and Hyper Spectral Imagery (HSI). In August 2015, the Fixed Wing Project Office was tasked in response to a joint urgent operational needs statement ( JUONS) to integrate and deliver two Communications and Electronic Attack, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) aircraft by 3QFY16. The project office teamed with the Avia-
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tion and Missile and CommunicationsElectronics Research, Development, and Engineering Centers (AMRDEC/ CERDEC) in a government-as-an-integrator role to modify existing C-12R aircraft. The program recently completed post modification flight tests and is currently undergoing qualification testing prior to delivery in June. The existing Saturn Arch QRC is a contractor owned contractor operated (COCO) operation based on the DHC8 turboprop that provides a suite of HSI sensors to detect improvised explosive device (IED) activities. This highly successful operation has sustained OPTEMPOs of 300+ hours for several years while delivering critical and often life-saving intelligence to the warfighter. In March of this year, the FWPO was tasked in response to a JUONS to deliver two additional Saturn Arch platforms within 24 months. Pre-contract award activities are ongoing.
Summary
Army fixed wing aviation remains a diverse fleet of niche capabilities that are critical enablers to winning in complex environments and allow better utilization of rotary wing assets. The Fixed Wing Project Office remains deeply engaged in much needed modernization and replacement programs to continue to meet high demand and high priority missions well into the future. COL Steven B. Clark is the project manager for the Fixed Wing Project Office, Program Executive Office, Aviation; and Ms. Tracey Ayres supports that office as a strategic communications specialist with Wyle-CAS. Both are located at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
June 30, 2016
Special Focus u Fixed Wing
Project Manager Sensors
Aerial Intelligence
U.S. ARMY PM SAI COURTESY PHOTO
By COL Thomas Gloor, MAJ Christee Cuttino, and CPT (P) Eric Predmore
Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Enhanced (ARL-E)
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he Project Manager, Sensors-Aerial Intelligence (SAI), headquartered at the Army’s C4ISR Center of Excellence on Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), is chartered to develop, acquire, integrate, field and supply life cycle support to tactically relevant Army Aerial Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (AISR) sensor payloads. The PM SAI vision is to be the Army’s source of AISR sensors while leveraging national capabilities and enabling timely dissemination of intelligence products to meet current and future warfighter needs. The end-state is to provide products that support the warfighter with actionable intelligence in the right place, right time, and at the best value for our Nation. With a focus on integrated multiintelligence sensor and communications suites and the processing, exploitation and dissemination (PED) of intelligence products both on board and in associated ground facilities, PM SAI
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
works closely with offices of the PEO Aviation to ensure the sensor packages are fully developed and ready for integration onto the selected airborne platforms. PM SAI’s primary job is providing the tools required to provide timely, relevant, and accurate intelligence support to tactical, operational and strategic-level commanders. Each of the product offices within PM SAI have specific, though in many cases, interrelated responsibilities from development or acquisition of a singlepurpose intelligence sensor to development of suites of subsystems that include sensors across multiple intelligence disciplines (signals, imagery, measurement and signature (SIGINT, IMINT, MASINT)) for intelligence collection; on-board and/or ground processing to analyze the information and create timely products; and finally communications packages for both line-of-sight (LOS), beyond line-of sight (BLOS) capabilities required to 50
disseminate actionable information to ensure decisive action. The following product offices are part of the SAI Project Office: n Product Manager, Medium Altitude Reconnaissance & Surveillance System (PdM MARSS) n Product Manager, SensorsUnmanned & Rotary Wing (PdM SURW) n Product Director, Airborne Reconnaissance Low (PD ARL) n Product Director, Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (PD TENCAP) n Product Director, Sensors–Aerial SIGINT (PD SAS) PM SAI programs include the management, sustainment, and modernization of the GUARDRAIL/Common Sensor (GR/CS) and Airborne Reconnaissance Low (ARL), the development of the Tactical Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Payload (TSP) for the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and the development, acquisition, management and sustainment of the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS). In addition, PM SAI supports current overseas contingency operations (OCO) through rapid acquisition development and integration of combat proven payloads in support of Task Force Observe, Detect, Identify and Neutralize (TF ODIN).
New Organizational Focus
PD ARL: GR/CS, ARL-Multifunction (ARL-M), and ARL-Enhanced (ARL-E). ARL-E is a manned multi-intelligence (Multi-INT) intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform that provides a persistent capability to detect, locate, identify, and track large numbers of tactical surface targets over a broad area in day/night near-all-weather conditions with a high degree of timeliness and accuracy. These sensors are all supported by June 30, 2016
ARL-E Payloads include:
Command and Control: Data Link (CDL); n Friendly Force Tracker (FFT); n Wideband satellite communications (SATCOM). True Multi-INT Platform capable of mission configurable packages: n Dual Electro Optical Infrared (EO/ IR) sensor with Full Motion Video (FMV); n Laser illumination/range finding and target designation; n Tactical Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and communication (COMINT) intelligence sensors; n Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI); n Synthetic aperture radar/moving target indicator (SAR/MTI) Ability to adapt to future and emerging threats through a limited roll on/roll n Common
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
off approach for rapid acquisition and integration of objective capabilities: n Wide Area Airborne Surveillance (WAAS), n Light Detection and Ranging sensor (LIDAR) and Penetrating radar sensors. PdM SURW is responsible for the Small Tactical Radar Lightweight (STARLite), a synthetic aperture radar/ ground moving target indicator, dis-
Gray Eagle UAS mitigates those identified gaps in timely, assured, and persistent day and night, near all-weather detection and tracking of targets across a wide geographic area. The STARLite sensing capability addresses specific gaps for the supported commander: n Increased situational awareness over wide geographic areas by detecting, classifying, and tracking moving vehicles and dismounted personnel with
U.S. ARMY PM SAI COURTESY PHOTO
line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond lineof-sight (BLOS) communication resources, hosted on a manned DHC-8300 aircraft. The end state is to provide increased levels of situational understanding in support of U.S., Joint, and coalition forces. Nine (9) ARL-E systems will be assigned to the Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) and further task-organized as required in support of geographic combatant commands. ARL-E operates in a single or multiple platform operation. Its mission altitude and flight tracks are chosen to optimize sensor data collection. This allows the command to balance performance requirements of multiple sensors, or to optimize collection from individual sensors based upon the daily collection tasking in support of the commander’s priority intelligence requirements (PIRs). Platforms share combat information via wideband data-links through the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) enterprise in order to allocate and cross-cue sensor resources to maximize collection efficiency and effectiveness. All ARL-E platforms also contain DCGS-enabled workstations that share data across the intelligence enterprise. ARL-E complies with the DoD Information Technology Standards Registry (DISR) and Defense Information Systems Network (DISN). The DCGS-A is the primary off board PED system, while other service and joint elements will use the appropriate exploitation facilities and battle management nodes.
Small Tactical Radar Lightweight (STARLite) on the Gray Eagle UAS
mount moving target indicator (SAR/ GMTI/DMTI) system that is a lightweight, high performance, all-weather, multi-functional radar sensor utilized on the Gray Eagle UAS platform. The STARLite payload is a near all weather, day and night multi-mode, multi-function radar which provides detection, tracking, and classification of moving targets (dismounts and vehicles) with high range resolution (HRR) using the MTI mode and provides high resolution imagery of stationary targets using the SAR modes over a wide geographic area collecting strip or spot SAR imagery. Additionally, coherent change detection (CCD) products can be provided using software analytical tools. The SAR/MTI payload is housed in the forward payload bay in the nose of the Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft and provides a 360 degree field of regard and 335 degree field of view. The STARLite payload capability on the aerial exploitation battalion (AEB) 51
near-real time processing, exploitation, analysis, and reporting to answer supported commander requirements. n Sustained situational awareness over geographic areas by tracking events in near-real time to support current operations and planning of future operations and plans. n Near-real time target detection and geo-location of static targets, moving vehicles and dismounts over a wide geographic area to support sensor cueing or targeting. - Dynamic, flexible, and timely capability to assist commanders in the employment of their forces. COL Thomas Gloor is the project manager for Sensors-Aerial Intelligence, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; MAJ Christee Cuttino is the Assistant Program Manager for STARLite; and CPT (P) Eric Predmore is the Assistant Program Manager for the Long Range Radar. June 30, 2016
Special Focus u Fixed Wing
One Army: Aviation’s Role in the CSA’s Multi-Compo Vision
THE ARMY AVIATION BRIGADE COURTESY PHOTO
By COL Timothy D. Brown, COL Gene K. Lambrecht, and MAJ Jacob Whiteside
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hen GEN Mark Milley, 39th Chief of Staff of the Army, addressed the Association of the United States Army in October 2015, he did not deliver radical proposals for new equipment, or changes to the force. Instead he delivered a clear message: “We are One Army and we are indivisible.” Such words are poignant, considering the divisive end strength negotiations and readiness debates that have defined the Active and Reserve Component relationship throughout sequestration. GEN Milley delivered a unifying vision the Army needed, and as luck would have it, Army Aviation is in a unique position to validate this One Army vision. In a fiscally constrained environment where Army leaders must navigate cuts to readiness, force structure, and modernization, Army Aviation Branch proves the effectiveness of training and operating as one force comprised of all three components assigned to a single brigade. Though multi-component (multi-compo) units are not a particularly new concept,
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
previous attempts were more limited because Regular Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve units naturally gravitate, post-deployment, to parochial foxholes separated by policy, budgetary, and program differences. But one brigade is showing what happens when leaders pave over those fox-holes and create an environment designed for cooperation. This is the story of the United States Army Aviation Brigade (TAAB), and how the turmoil created by the Army Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI) led to the birth of an organization that sets the standard for multi-compo success.
Background
On January 7, 2014, in a crowded room at the National Press Club, GEN Raymond Odierno, then Chief of Staff of the United States Army, presented a plan for the Army’s future. That strategy, controversial to say the least, included continued substantial cuts to personnel across the Active and Reserve Components. It also incorporated a proposal to right-size Army Aviation 52
Left: U.S. Army Priority Air Transport (USAPAT) is responsible for executive transport such as this mission for the Army Chief of Staff, GEN Mark Milley, with (l to r) SGT Molly Moore, SGT Yin Jenkins, Milley, SSG Ossie Vereen, CW4 Mark Gibbs, and CW5 Gary Schaefer. Right: Two of the authors, COL Tim Brown (left) and COL Gene Lambrecht, in the cockpit of a U.S. Army Priority Air Transport (USAPAT) Gulfstream.
through the divestiture of legacy aircraft, and the reallocation of modern platforms such as the AH-64 from the Guard to the Regular Army. Understandably, the plan that would come to be known as ARI was met with a great deal of concern in the Army National Guard. The Adjutants General and governors across the country balked at the potential loss of such a capable asset, along with other impacts to the National Guard. Shortly after the CSA’s comments, GEN Frank Grass, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, fielded questions on the impacts ARI would have on his force. He said that in his 44 years of service, the National June 30, 2016
ARMY PHOTO BY SSG CHRISTOPHER FREEMAN, 82ND CAB PAO)
NE WS S P O TL IG H T
Goodbye to an Old Friend
ARMY PHOTO BY SSG CHRISTOPHER FREEMAN, 82ND CAB PAO)
ARMY PHOTO BY SGT NEIL A. STANFIELD, 82ND CAB PAO
By SSG Christopher Freeman, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office
The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior has been a mainstay in the skies over the North Carolina and the Fayetteville community for over 25 years. The 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, made their final formation flight from Fort Bragg, N.C. April 15. The flight saw 32 helicopters flying in a formation from Fort Bragg to downtown Fayetteville and back to Simmons Army Airfield. The final Kiowa Warrior flight honored past and present service members that have had the privilege of operating and maintaining the aircraft and served as a final “thank you” and farewell to the residents of the Fort Bragg and the Fayetteville community. The Kiowa, which has been in the inventory since 1990 and amassed over 2 million flight hours, is being retired from the inventory as part of the Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI). Top photo: 32 OH-58 Kiowa Warriors assigned to 1st Sqdn., 17th Cav. Regt., 82nd Cbt. Avn. Bde., take to the skies during their final formation flight, Simmons Army Airfield, N.C. April 15. Middle photo: OH-58 Kiowa Warriors of 1st Sqdn., 17th Cav. Regt., 82nd Cbt. Avn. Bde. fly under an arch of water to complete a final flyover “salute” formation at Simmons Army Airfield, NC, April 15, 2016. Bottom photo: The Stetson of Soldiers assigned to 1st Sqdn., 17th Cav. Regt., 82nd Cbt. Avn. Bde., reflects their time spent with the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior on the day of its last flight at Simmons Army Airfield, NC, April 15.
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June 30, 2016
Guard had never been more prepared to reinforce the active duty military in a time of crisis. Such readiness was the result of over 15 years of conflict and funding that allowed the Army and Air National Guard to make tremendous strides in equipment and training. But, as he continued, “The real challenge is how you balance that now in this fiscal environment and not lose that edge.” A commission would convene a short year later to determine how to answer that very challenge.
were at odds. The NCFA proposed a tenable course of action for the Active Component and National Guard to do more with less - together.
By April 2015, ARI was in the execution phase. While legacy trainers were divested at Fort Rucker, AL, and Lakotas were progressively making their way to Cairns Army Airfield to replace them, Kiowas were beginning their somber trek to the “bone yard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ. Yet, the AH-64 Apache divestiture in the Guard, presented in the original 2014 ARI rollout, was in the hands of the National Commission for the Future of the Army (NCFA) for further analysis because of the tremendous turmoil the proposal brought about between the Active Army and the National Guard. The NCFA found itself wrestling with the problem of how to maintain the heightened readiness, expertise, and relationships built by a National Guard that shared the burden of combat with the Active Component for over a decade in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The commission also had to answer this question in an environment where both the Active and Reserve Components
signed to the Operational Support Airlift Agency (OSAA)? When the Army National Guard established OSAA in 1994, the plan had one organization managing the entirety of the Army’s Executive and Non-Executive operational support fixed wing fleet, which at the time was principally assigned to the National Guard. But after two decades of fixed wing force reductions, and restructuring between components OSAA and the National Guard operated a much smaller fleet and had even less control over the standardization and evaluation of operational support airlift. But OSAA was not the only brigade-level organization in the National Capital Region going through ARI. Established by the Secretary of the Army in 2005 to perform both Executive Air Travel and Homeland Security contingency missions, the Army Air Operations Group (AAOG) was an Active Component economy of force brigade-level headquarters. From its inception, AAOG provided mission com-
Reorganization
THE ARMY AVIATION BRIGADE COURTESY PHOTO
In July 2015, LTG Joe Anderson, G-3/5/7, and LTG Timothy Kadavy, the Director of the Army National Guard, met to discuss a familiar problem. Specifically, how should the Army organize its fixed wing assets in light of the diminishing size of the fleet as-
mand for two aviation battalions, one rotary wing (12th Aviation Battalion), and one fixed wing (U.S. Army Priority Air Transport or USAPAT); an airfield operations battalion equivalent (AAOG Airfield Division); and a separate technical rescue engineer company (911th TREC). USAPAT, formerly part of OSAA, is the Army’s fixed wing entity for Executive Air Travel and since 2005 has operated exclusively as a member of the Active Component. In this capacity, USAPAT has developed a wealth of
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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Left: Soldiers with the 911th Technical Rescue Engineer Company practice sling-load operations with a Black Hawk from 12th Aviation Battalion. Right: Crews from the District of Columbia and South Carolina ARNG Operational Support Airlift Agency (OSAA) Detachments provide nonexecutive airlift support in Afghanistan with this C26 aircraft.
knowledge regarding best practices and SOPs for executive travel in garrison and the deployed environment. It only stands to reason that OSAA, the NonExecutive Air Travel experts and USAPAT should share practices to create an Executive/Non-Executive Fixed Wing Center of Excellence. Both LTGs Anderson and Kadavy saw a need to guarantee aviation safety and standardization while gaining effectiveness in a mission area split between the Army National Guard’s OSAA and the Active Component’s AAOG. Particularly, both organizations managed June 30, 2016
a fixed wing fleet constrained by fewer resources and challenged by budding ARI-related trust issues between the Reserve and Active Components. Multiple years of what the NCFA refers to as “unhealthy competitive tension” threatened to fracture the hard-won and much needed trust and teamwork forged between Active and Reserve components through 15 years of warfighting. That is why GEN Milley delivered his One Army vision and directed the Active and Reserve Components, two entities steeped in distinct traditions and holding decidedly separate identities, to execute a paradigm shift.
Realignment
The decision LTGs Anderson and Kadavy made in 2015 realigned multiple missions and Soldiers from the Active and Reserve components under one headquarters, now called TAAB. The leaders charted a course nested firmly with the One Army concept by combining the talents, training, equipment, leadership, and relationships of the Army Reserve, National Guard, and the Active Component into TAAB. With the realignment, the Army cre-
SECURE INCOME IMPRESSIVE RETURNS
ated a test bed for multi-compo effectiveness. TAAB would be an example of how multi-compo organizations can benefit from specialties each component brings to the fight. Remarkably, half a year later the NCFA would urge the Army to create and sustain multicompo units and offer Aviation as the perfect starting point for the initiative. Today, TAAB is the benchmark for multi-compo integration and mission execution. Grown out of two small brigade-level headquarters, one a field operating agency and the other an operations group, the newly formed TAAB headquarters combines leadership from the United States Army Reserve, National Guard, and Regular Army, a construct that allows tremendous insight regarding named contingency operations, and access to support throughout the entire Army. What is more, several synergies have emerged as Army proponencies for non-executive and executive fixed wing transport are once again aligned in the same brigade. OSAA, having served as the fixed wing standardization entity for FORSCOM in Aviation Resource Management Survey inspections for decades, provides tremendous leadership
and competence to the Army in standardizing fixed wing training and military air (MILAIR) travel across the formation. In turn, the knowledge and best practices gathered by TAAB’s seasoned executive air transport aviators brings both unmatched reputation for customer service and unrivaled experience in the highly complex international airspace environment and global transport mission. This multi-compo, fixed and rotary wing Aviation Brigade brings the best of each Army component together into one fox hole to share best practices and build a team of teams approach to Army Aviation which will also uniquely position it to prove the efficiencies and capabilities gained by the Future Utility Aircraft. In this case, the shared fox hole, experience, and trust can endure for generations. The result is a truly unique, world class aviation brigade that exemplifies the CSAs One Army vision. COL Timothy D. Brown and COL Gene K. Lambrecht are the outgoing and incoming commander, respectively, of The United States Army Aviation Brigade and MAJ Jacob Whiteside is the executive officer.
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June 30, 2016
Special Focus u Fixed Wing
United States Army Reserve: Streamlining the Fixed-Wing Fleet
PHOTO BY LTC TERRY SCHOOLER
By LTC Tracy Kennepp, LTC Terry Schooler, MAJ Mitchell Rosnick and CPT Sarah Kelley
T
he Aviation Branch is the Army’s most expensive resource, thus making it the center of attention as the military faces its toughest challenges of completing holistic reviews and preparing for a future of smaller end-strength. As Army Aviation continues to mature in an uncertain environment, the United States Army Reserve (USAR) fixedwing fleet perseveres with minimal impact to its mission and force structure. Moreover, the U.S. Army Jet Training Detachment (USAJTD) represents a smaller, yet equally crucial asset to the USAR and total Army Aviation enterprise. Intending to streamline its mission, the USAR and USAJTD continue to offer significant contributions toward a prosperous future. Published in January 2016, the National Commission on the Future of the Army’s (NCFA) comprehensive review highlighted concerns and noted specific recommendations for a more efficient outcome with the Army’s Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI). Among the report’s findings and ARMY AVIATION Magazine
recommendations, the NCFA suggested developing a substantial pilot program in the Army’s quest to examine multicomponent approaches. Even though the USAR was already operating with a successful multi-component model under both fixed wing battalions, restructuring of CONUS-based Operational Support Airlift (OSA) units was imminent. Although divestiture of the Aerial Reconnaissance Multi-Sensor (ARMS) aircraft and force structure changes within OSA units has resulted in some ARI-related obstacles, business continues to proceed normally for the USAR fixed-wing community. They are prepared to meet the Army’s operational and strategic priorities by offering a set of distinct capabilities. Most notably, the USAR remains subject matter experts and the Army’s proponent for all UC-35 Cessna Citation training and supporting missions through the U.S. Transportation Command’s Joint Operational Support Airlift Center ( JOSAC). 56
A UC 35 Cessna Citation taxiing at Mazar-ESharif, Afghanistan
Reorganization
As part of fixed wing restructuring requirements, the USAR’s 339th Military Intelligence (MI) Company was deactivated and reflagged as Company A, 6th Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment effective September 2015. Prior to the restructure, the USAR’s multicomposition model was a positive and synergistic model for integrating the effective use of Active Component aviators within the USAR. Though flagged under a new unit name, the USAR’s newest Operational Support Airlift (OSA) company was immediately prepared to execute and fulfill its new mission for JOSAC. No longer supporting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the company now maintains its focus on passenger movement requests and June 30, 2016
provides major benefits to units located throughout the United States. Since the demand for OSA support is consistent across the United States and overseas, adding the new OSA company as part of the USAR force structure is a valuable force multiplier. Additionally, the USAR routinely meets 50% of the total demand for JOSAC support within the United States and 40% amongst the entire OSA community. The combined peacetime and wartime experience of USAR fixed-wing pilots compared to the Army’s total fixed-wing experience is beyond compare, which makes USAR fixed-wing aviation a soughtafter resource on a consistent basis.
USAJTD
Rounding out the USAR fixed wing capability is the U.S. Army Jet Training Detachment. Per Headquarters, Department of the Army, the United States Army Reserve Command (USARC) assumed proponent responsibility for the UC-35 aircraft in 2007 in order to support the needs of the Active Component, Army National Guard, and United States Army Reserve fleets. Located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta GA, the Jet Training Detachment includes a mix of Active Component and USAR Soldiers who execute proponent and full management responsibility for the planning, training, programing, and execution of the UC-35 program. As part of the proponent’s responsibilities, the Jet Training Detachment authors the UC-35 Aircrew Training Manual (TC 1-C35), coordinates fleet wide initial and recurrent training requirements, and provides academic and hands on flight instruction for the UC-35 Aircraft Qualification and Instructor Pilot courses. Additionally, the instructor pilots (IP) participate in Upset Recovery Training annually, where they enhance their awareness in preparation for the inherent risk of flying airplanes with new students. In the current fiscally constrained environment, the USAJTD is implementing measures aimed at increased efficiencies throughout the UC-35 community. These efficiencies range from pairing like-component Soldiers for training to reduce TDY expenses, to conducting Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) where Jet Detachment cadre travel to units requiring support. The MTT greatly benefits units worldwide ARMY AVIATION Magazine
by training more Soldiers in a shorter timeframe with reduced TDY expenses. The Jet Detachment executes Army Training Requirements and Resources (ATRRS) course requirements three weeks per month, so an MTT must be coordinated well in advance to ensure schedule availability.
Ensuring Standardization
Though there are only 28 aircraft in the Army, the UC-35 fleet averages over 11,000 flying hours per year with an admirable safety record. Many attribute the UC-35 safety track record to the standardization of training and the annual UC-35 Users Conference hosted by the USAJTD, which provides another means to ensure standardization and provide a venue to address all issues that affect the entire fleet. The forum includes representation from the entire UC-35 community, Army Materiel Command (AMC), and civilian contract partners. Topics for the forum include standardization related to aircraft training, accident avoidance, fleet modernization and upgrades, contingency procedures, heavy maintenance, publications, and Cessna maintenance trends. All participants are dedicated to ensuring the UC35 community remains the safest, best trained, and most capable aviation asset ready to support the needs of the Army well into the future. The Army Reserve continues to remain relevant as a vital part of the Total Army fixed wing enterprise through its contributions to Operational Support Airlift and the proponency of the UC35 program. As the Army continues to experience fiscal uncertainty, the relative cost effectiveness of the USAR and its associated fixed wing operations is a crucial peacetime and battlefield capability, ensuring that key leaders have the ability to move amongst their formations. This capability is a key component to our military’s ability to maintain readiness, and will continue to support the total force well into the future.
LTC Tracy Kennepp, LTC Terry Schooler, and CPT Sarah Kelley are all assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve Command G3/5/7 Aviation Directorate at Fort Bragg, NC. MAJ Mitchell Rosnick is the commander of the USAJTD located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, GA. 57
Recognize the Hard Work of Your Fellow Army Aviators! The following Functional Awards are open for nominations NOW! Presented at the Cribbins Aviation Product Symposium
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Logistics Unit of the Year Award Materiel Readiness Award for a Contribution by a Small Business or Organization Materiel Readiness Award for a Contribution by an Individual Member of Industry Materiel Readiness Award for a Contribution by a Major Contractor Materiel Readiness Award for a Contribution by an Industry Team, Group, or Special Unit UAS Soldier of the Year UAS Unit of the Year Fixed Wing Unit of the Year Suspense: August 1
Presented at the Annual Aviation Senior Leaders Conference, Fort Rucker
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Air/Sea Rescue ATC Facility of the Year ATC Company of the Year ATC Technician of the Year ATC Controller of the Year ATC Manager of the Year DUSTOFF Medic of the Year Medicine Award Trainer of the Year Suspense: September 1
Send in Your Nominations Today! Nomination forms for all of the AAAA Awards are available at www.quad-a.org and from the AAAA National Office, 593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806 Telephone: (203) 268-2450
June 30, 2016
ALL PHOTOS – U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SPC ALTON PELAYO, 3-6 CAV
From the Field u
Amplifying Talent:
Integration of Active and National Guard Components in Support of Operation Inherent Resolve By MAJ Aaron C. Schilleci “The Active Duty guys…” “The Guard guys…” As aviation professionals, we have all heard or seen these colloquialisms to describe our service component brethren. Some may feel a sense of pride, allegiance or stigma associated with these equally essential elements of our Army Aviation community and Army team at large. Having just returned from their latest deployment, 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment was organized into a multi-component, multifunctional aviation task force – Task Force Heavy CAV (TFHC) in southwest Asia and Iraq. TFHC supports Operation Spartan Shield (OSS) and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), combining the talents of aircrews and Soldiers of both Active and Army National Guard components and achieving outstanding results in support of both operations. Many of TFHC’s successes in integrating Active and National Guard units into a cohesive formation are largely tied to three major concepts: fighting ARMY AVIATION Magazine
lean, mastery of the non-standard mission and most importantly – mutual respect and understanding the value and strength of each component.
A 15U crewmember preflights a Task Force Heavy CAV CH-47 Chinook prior to a battlefield circulation mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Fighting Lean
licopter, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), assault helicopter, heavy lift and aeromedical evacuation assets all within the lower than normal personnel cap. As a result, each Soldier’s professional and personal talents are maximized to ensure the success of the mission. Some of the more notable examples of each Soldier working two jobs include a National Guard standardization instructor crewchief who put his civilian construction expertise to use, building office space for the assault helicopter company; a National Guard air mission request officer who put his civilian cargo movement experience to use managing the nightly flow of personnel and cargo through the OIR battlefield, and the Active Duty headquarters troop commander serving as the Task Force Mayor.
The Task Force commander would often tell his troops “Everyone in this task force has two jobs.” In many cases, the commander’s statement is literal. While the standard active duty heavy attack reconnaissance squadron has just less than 500 Soldiers assigned to it, on this deployment the unit has only about 325 personnel, spread over six locations in Iraq and southwest Asia. Of these Soldiers, approximately 130 are National Guard personnel from four separate companies in six different states (AR, CA, OR, PA, WA and WV). The remainder of 3-6 CAV Soldiers and aircraft operate in support of OSS from a location in southwest Asia, assigned to the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAARNG). The task force included attack he58
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Making the Unfamiliar Familiar
From the arrival of TFHC in the OIR theatre of operations, one certainty aviators and crewchiefs grew to expect was non-standard operations. Meaning, for the National Guard UH60 assault company expecting to conduct four-ship air assault operations to a dusty landing zone at night with little to no illumination, reality was starkly different. The preponderance of UH60 missions were command and control (CAC)/VIP support missions. For the attack weapons team expecting to conduct three-hour-long aerial movement to contact operations in order to find, fix, finish and exploit the enemy, the OIR mission sets remain ed atypical. The TFHC AH-64s in fact conducted reconnaissance operations, but largely before, during and after escorting a pair of TFHC utility or cargo aircraft during CAC/VIP missions or air movement operations. Even the aeromedical evacuation aircrews experienced a relative shift in mission execution. Due to the low demand for MEDEVAC missions, our TFHC MEDEVAC aircrew members became creative and subsequently developed relationships with potential customer patient units. For example, 2-238th MEDEVAC (ARARNG) aircrews planned and executed rescue hoist familiarization and scenario-based training with Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operators to improve both our organic flight medic and NSW operator medical competencies. Other missions included working with Iraqi Army Aviation MEDEVAC units. Impressively, TFHC routinely executed complex mixed multi-ship operations every day and night. From the required operations and intelligence briefing, to the detailed TFHC multi-
A Task Force Heavy CAV UH-60 Black Hawk from 2-238th Avn., ARARNG, prepares to taxi for a night MEDEVAC mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
ship briefing, to the individual aircrew briefings, no item was briefed “as per SOP.” As we have come to learn during this deployment, many contingencies within our mission sets are not outlined in any aviation SOP. Recognizing these inherent mission complexities and associated risks, the TF standardization instructor pilot and his standardization team went to great lengths throughout the task force to significantly increase the crosstalk and understanding of capabilities between attack, assault/ MEDEVAC, and cargo aircrews. The results materialized into standardized task force kneeboard packets, briefings and contingency management procedures which apply to all aircrews, no matter the airframe.
Task Force Heavy Cav = One Team
While some TFHC Soldiers may have arrived in Iraq with preconceived judgments of one another based on service component, they were quickly disabused of those notions simply by the equitable tone and inclusive command climate set by unit leaders. From pilot’s briefings to officer professional development classes, the team concept is the
An Armament Specialist performs a maintenance operational check on an AH-64 Apache assigned to Task Force Heavy CAV. ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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standard in the Heavy CAV. Nowhere is the one team spirit more evident than in the Stetson break-in ceremony. One of the National Guard companies prepared for the event in the finest traditions of the Cavalry – in turn infusing a positive energy and esprit de corps throughout the rest of the task force.
Conclusion
The achievements of Task Force Heavy Cav have been outstanding – over 5,000 accident- and incident-free combat and imminent danger hours flown; over 5,000 Shadow UAS hours flown, more than 11,000 passengers transported and 2.4 million pounds of cargo moved. While these statistics are impressive, they are not actually the most important accomplishments of our deployment – the aviation lessons learned are. Flying complex, mixed airframe, multi-ship missions while simultaneously developing standardized aircrew products to mitigate combat risk is one of the largest accomplishments of this Task Force and has set the standard for integrating Army aviation service components. The triumvirate of directed lean operations, the willingness to enable the evolution of combat aviation mission sets to meet the ground force commander’s intent and the unity achieved by Task Force Heavy Cav by promoting parity regardless of service components will continue to enable the legendary legacy of the United States Cavalry. HEAVY CAV – Led by Love of Country! MAJ Aaron C. Schilleci is the executive officer for 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division recently deployed and task organized as Task Force Heavy Cav in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. June 30, 2016
From the Field u AH-64E Manned-Unmanned Teaming –
When New Technology Outpaces Current Systems
1-101ST AVN COURTESY PHOTO
By CW4 Brett S. Chivers
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echnological advancements in combat systems, especially in Army aviation, have seen marked improvements over the past 14 years of war. One of the most notable of these advancements is the development and integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by all four branches of the military. Army Aviation is committed to not only integrating UAS into the fight, but also into its newly configured combat aviation brigades (CAB). The Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI), which is currently ongoing, has removed the OH-58 Cavalry squadron from the CAB and replaced it with a second AH-64 attack/reconnaissance battalion. In order to retain the Cavalry mission, the second AH-64 battalion is equipped with three RQ-7B Shadow platoons. With both UAS and AH-64s being organized in the same unit, there is a purposeful focus on full integration of those assets as offensive tactical systems. Army Aviation’s initiative towards a restructured CAB is leading the way towards a more effective and advanced fighting unit. Along with organizational restructuring come doctrine, training and material considerations. Not only
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is the attack helicopter community learning how to integrate a new system into its formation, the UAS community is also transitioning from Military Intelligence to Army Aviation. The shift in organizational structure and parent branch lends to challenges in the synchronization of fielding new equipment and often complicates the merger and training of these units.
Developing Capability
In early 2009, 1st Bn., 10th Avn. Regt., 10th CAB was fielded with the first generation of hardware and software that brought live UAS full motion video (FMV) into the AH-64 cockpit. The system was called Video from Unmanned Aerial Systems for Interoperability Teaming – Level 2 (VUIT-2). VUIT-2 was designed to receive C, L and UHF band video feeds from multiple unmanned platforms. VUIT2 was equipped with a Mini-Tactical Common Data Link (MTCDL) system that permitted the transmission of received UAS or aircraft sensor video to a ground or airborne One SystemRemote Video Terminal (OSRVT). Although it had functionality and was 60
MAJ Tyler Cody, 1-101st Avn. executive officer, briefs crews for a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) mission in Afghanistan, May 11, 2015.
capable of MUM-T like operations, the system was not easy to operate and needed improvements. 1-10th had issues getting other services to understand their FMV capability, which brought limited success in working with them during operations. In 2012, 1st Bn., 101st Avn. Regt. became the first operational unit fielded with the next generation of system for UAS integration, known as the Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) system. MUM-T was an upgrade from the VUIT-2 system. The unit’s initial fielding included nine upper receivers (UR), able to receive C, S, L, & Ku band video feeds. Additionally, all 24 AH-64Ds were also fielded with the Air to Air to Ground (AAG) system. The AAG, equipped with a Ku band receiver and transmitter, was designed to receive and transmit organic Target Acquisition Designation Sight (TADS) video as well as retransmit TADS and June 30, 2016
UAS video. AAG is also compatible with the ground force’s OSRVT. The MUM-T system recently received a significant upgrade in capability for use on the next latest generation AH-64E, adding two more levels (3 and 4) of UAS interoperability. There are a total of four levels of interoperability (LOI) that can be achieved when operating with UAS; they include: Level 1 Receipt and transmission of secondary imagery or data. Level 2 Receipt of imagery or data directly from the UAS. Level 3 Control of the UAS payload. Level 4 Control of the UAS, less takeoff and landing.
Limitations
The increased capability to control a UAS sensor (LOI 3) and flight path (LOI 4) directly from the Apache increases situational awareness, operational reach, and survivability. LOIs 3 and 4 were achieved through the use of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA), which is a Ku band directional antenna with two way control capability. The UTA operates on the Army’s new standard of technology known as Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL). TCDL is currently limited to the AH-64E Apache and the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. The UTA was a huge step forward in UAS integration, but brought with it a significant degradation to the Apache’s MUM-T capability. The UTA is incapable of receiving C, L, & S band FMV feeds. These feeds are common to all legacy Army UAS as well as all Air Force, Navy, and Special Operations ISR platforms. Although the UTA brought increased interoperability with ARMY AVIATION Magazine
1-101ST AVN COURTESY PHOTO
An AH-64E from 1st Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Expect No Mercy, taxis out for another mission in Afghanistan, April 23, 2015.
the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, it prevents the AH-64E from receiving feeds from any other UAS on the battlefield.
AH-64E and Deployment
In the spring of 2014, 1-101st began fielding the AH-64E. Unit leaders and senior aviators identified the capability gap between the AH-64D’s UR and the AH-64E’s UTA early in the fielding process and requested, through an Operational Needs Statement (ONS), UR and legacy MUM-T capability on the AH-64E. Apache PM recognized the need for this capability and initiated development of upgraded aircraft software that would allow the use of the UR on the AH-64E. 1-101st Avn. Regt.’s ONS was approved and the unit was scheduled to receive URs in the fall of 2014. The 1-101st deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2015. Increasing the Apache crew’s proficiency in operating MUM-T became one of the unit’s main efforts. Apache PM was extremely helpful and responsive in assisting the unit with troubleshooting the AAG and UR 61
setup procedure in an effort to make tuning different UAS platforms easier. The unit’s intelligence section assumed the role of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) manager, compiling contacts and data on all available systems in theater from which the Apaches could possibly receive FMV feeds. Through repetition, the aviators gained familiarity and eventually confidence in the MUMT system. After six weeks, the unit’s efforts resulted in successfully utilizing the MUM-T/UR in conjunction with an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper to respond to Indirect Fire (IDF). Success was due to the efforts of the staff, aircrews and maintainers. Although the unit found a few road blocks to making MUM-T an effective tool, it proved that with the right people and effort, MUM-T can increase an Apache battalion’s effectiveness significantly. The road ahead for MUM-T for the U.S. Army and for the Department of Defense is to consolidate the effort for all airframes and systems, so that it is easier for the end user to operate. In addition a consolidated effort in knowledge management of the emerging technologies is necessary to ensure the tactical units currently operating in combat conditions have the information necessary to be more effective. CW4 Brett S. Chivers is currently serving as the Aviation Mission Survivability Officer for 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). His previous experience includes 4 years flying MH-47G Chinooks for the 160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment (SOAR); he is also AH-64 A/D/E qualified. June 30, 2016
1-101ST AVN COURTESY PHOTO
1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Afghanistan, May 17, 2015.
Historical Perspective u Reprinted from the June 1986 Issue of ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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Historical Perspective u Reprinted from the June 1986 Issue of ARMY AVIATION Magazine
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u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT
AAAA Chapter Affairs
By LTC (Ret.) Jan Drabczuk
AAPI PHOTO BY RENE BIDEZ
2016 Summit Chapter Highlights Atlanta – What a Week!
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nother successful Summit for AAAA! Over 6,000 people and 280 industry exhibitor firms attended this great networking event.
The association raised over $80,000 in scholarship support, and recognized 14 outstanding individuals and units through the National Awards Program and Hall of Fame Dinner. Sixty-nine of our chapters were represented at the Summit and almost half our chapters sponsored a Soldier to attend the event at no cost! Highlight was the Soldier Appreciation Concert with Trace Adkins and Kelly Pickler. The concert hall was rocking. Top Chapters Recognized Four of our chapters were recognized at the Summit. Chapters achieving Top Chapter of the Year status for 2015 were the Air Assault Chapter as the Top Super Chapter (501 or more members), the Mid-Atlantic Chapter as the Top Master Chapter (175-500 members), the Flying Tigers Chapter as the Top Senior Chapter (75-174 members) and the Bavarian Chapter as the Top AAAA Chapter (74 or fewer members). Chapters were evaluated on a new chapter metrics program. We
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had some great competition. Get out there and make your Chapter a 2016 Top Chapter Winner! First Ever Chapter Officer Workshop The Chapter Presidents session held at past Summits was replaced this year with a chapter officer workshop. This was a half day event followed by a working chapter luncheon. The focus was on how to improve the quality of programs that our chapters bring to our membership. The sessions included highlights on chapter metrics, National Office support, chapter fiscal operations, local and national award procedures, scholarship procedures and membership do’s and don’ts. AAAA National provided financial assistance for chapters to be represented at the workshop. All four chapter size categories were invited to attend. We had 38 chapters represented and 75 people in attendance. Individual chapter discussions were quite robust and informative – a great networking and chapter event.
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Top right: Bill May, chairman of the national non-profit House of Heroes, addresses chapter officers at a working luncheon April 27, during the 2016 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Atlanta, GA. Top Left: CW5 (Ret.) Dave Cooper (standing right), AAAA VP Membership, and LTC (Ret.) Jan Drabczuk (standing center aisle), AAAA VP Chapter Affairs, answer questions during the inaugural Chapter Officer Workshop, Apr 27, during the 2016 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Atlanta, GA.
Chapter Highlights With the recent stand up of the Yellowhammer and Mohawk Chapters, we presently have 72 Active Chapters in 4 categories. 187 chapter events were submitted to AAAA National in 2015. The National Executive Group (NEG) funded $152,217 to support 62 events for 38 chapters. Events have been grouped into six categories; dining events, fundraisers, holiday events, membership drives, golf, and special events. For this year through the end of April, the NEG has already funded $50,575 to support 23 events for 17 chapters. We continue to recognize our members. Last year 46 chapters submitted 706 Orders of St. Michael. Scholarships still are a big push at the chapter level. The Tennessee Valley Chapter leads the group with 37 scholarships at a value of over $55,000. Over half of our chapters have some level
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NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u of scholarship participation. There are funds and support available if you need assistance on AAAA programs. It is a call or email away. Operation HOHAAAA This year’s AAAA Chapter Officer Luncheon featured a challenge from Connecticut Chapter Officer Bill May. Bill, chairman of the national non-profit House of Heroes, is challenging AAAA chapters to partner with House of Heroes to “Make a Difference in a Day” for Aviation Soldiers. Founded in 2000, House of Heroes provides no-cost home repair services to military and public safety veterans and their surviving spouses. More than 900 projects have been completed since 2000. Operation HOHAAAA challenges AAAA chapters to honor and serve a deserving Army Aviation veteran in the next year by taking on and completing a… House of Heroes Project Two chapters are already on board. The Air Assault Chapter (Fort Campbell, KY) is taking on repairs at the home of Army Aviation veteran and former Vietnam POW Jim Pfister in Illinois in late June, while later this year the Iron Mike Chapter (Fort Bragg, NC) will tackle the home of Army Aviation veterans Tara and Zach Siekert. For more information and to adopt your own Operation HOHAAAA chapter project, contact Bill May at
[email protected]. Looking Forward to Next Year Those of you who had a chance to attend this year’s Summit could feel the buzz of an active and professional organization. Also you probably got your exercise as you walked to the convention hall. There was a great professional agenda coupled with fun events on the social agenda. Next year we are back in Nashville, 2628 April. Seems like time goes even faster in aviation and the year will go by fast. Chapter programs continue to improve, our chapters are growing and our association is strong. None of this happens without great national and local chapter leadership. We should all be proud that we support Army Aviation, the soldier, military families and the local community. Feel free to contact me if you need help for your chapter, Executive Board support, or to obtain clarification of National procedures. I look forward to working with you and supporting AAAA. LTC (Ret.) Jan S. Drabczuk AAAA VP for Chapter Affairs
[email protected]
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Meet Your AAAA Team POCs Chapters –
Barbara McCann
[email protected] Please make sure that your elected Chapter Officers’ status is up-to-date and that each officer’s membership is current! Call if you need assistance.
Membership & OSMs – Deb Cavallaro
[email protected]
AAAA offers a complimentary 15 month membership to currently deployed soldiers and DACs! Visit the AAAA website at quad-a. org for the application form today!
Scholarship – Sue Stokes
[email protected]
The Scholarship deadline has passed and the selection process will soon begin. Winners will be notified by mid-August. Good luck to all our 2016 applicants!
Awards – Janis Arena
[email protected] Recognition is so important when people are doing a great job. Recognize your outstanding soldiers through our AAAA Awards program! Check out the Awards section of our AAAA website for the AAAA Functional awards that are open for submission of nominations.
Marketing – Jenn Chittem
[email protected] This summer make sure to check out our Online Store at quad-a.org! Click the SHOP tab today! We have new short sleeve Polo shirts for men and women and much more!
Social Media – Corey Stokes
[email protected]
Be sure to follow AAAA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay connected with us throughout the summer! #ArmyAviation
Industry Affairs – Erika Burgess
[email protected]
Exhibit sales for the 2017 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit have already begun. Ask me about rates, dates and the other 3 Symposiums we have this year!
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Lisa Atherton, Executive Vice President, Military Business, Bell Helicopter is presented a handcrafted OH-58D(I) model by Mike Miller, President of the North Texas Chapter of AAAA at the 24 Mar 16 membership event.
ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL and OUR LADY OF LORETO AWARDS Aviation Center Chapter
CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTOS
North Texas Chapter
General James D. Thurman, U.S. Army Retired and his wife Dee are presented Cowboy Hats and a belt buckle by Mike Miller, President of the North Texas Chapter of AAAA at the 4 May 16 membership event. GEN Thurman spoke about the results of the National Commission on the Future of the Army.
CW5 Manuel R. Portela, command chief warrant officer of 1st Aviation Brigade, was inducted into the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michael by COL Woodard B. Hopkins III (right) and CSM Micheal D. Sutterfield, brigade commander and command sergeant major respectively, on May 11, 2016 at the Enterprise Country Club, Enterprise, AL. Portela was recognized for having trained and mentored future and current aviators by holding every standardization pilot position possible in a combat aviation brigade, among other accomplishments over 42 years of service. He will remain in Dothan, AL.
Deputy commandant of the Noncommissioned Officers Academy, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, 1SG James G. Rittichi-
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Connecticut Chapter
CHAPTER PHOTO BY 1LT JOHN M. RAMOS
The SoCal Chapter held a business and planning meeting at the Los Alamitos Army Airfield, Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, CA on March 18, 2016. Future activities planned include a chapter officers election, preceded by a scholarship fund raising golf tournament for the 2d quarter meeting on June 4th. In addition, the chapter will participate in the annual Wings Wheels and Rotors Expo, MWR fundraiser to be held on the Los Alamitos Army Airfield on October 23, as well as the welcome home / holiday dinner celebration for the 1-140 Avn, currently deployed. Pictured are (left to right) COL (Ret.) Russ Chung, Secretary; Rich Barber; CW4 Sam Preston; CW4 (Ret.) Sven Akesson, President of the SoCal VHPA Chapter; Odell Milligan; and LTC (Ret.) John Hendrickson, President.
er, inducts SFC Stephen A. Williams, a senior small group leader at the academy, into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael at Fort Rucker, AL, May 12, 2016. Williams was recognized for his outstanding leadership and support of Army Aviation Soldiers throughout his career. He is being reassigned to Katterbach, Germany where he will serve as a flight platoon sergeant.
Edwin P. Birtwell, VP & General Manager, Turboshaft Operations, GE Aviation, was inducted into the Gold Honorable Order of St. Michael by AAAA Executive Director, Bill Harris (right), on March 23, 2016 in Danvers, MA. Birtwell was recognized for over 35 years of continuously improving power, durability and reliability of the T700 engine through technology advancements and infusion, coupled with exemplary customer support. Also pictured is COL (Ret.) Greg Gass, GE Executive Director of U.S. Military Programs and VP Scholarships for the Washington-Potomac Chapter.
Delaware Valley Chapter
CHAPTER PHOTO BY SFC KENNETH WILLIAM VILLAGOMEZ
CHAPTER PHOTO BY JOHN HENDRICKSON
Southern California Chapter
Delaware Adjutant General, MG Francis D. Vavala (right), inducts CW3 Robert L. Davis, Jr., Aviation Safety Officer for Co. A, 3rd Bn., 135th Avn. Regt., Delaware Army National Guard, into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael, at a recognition ceremony at Joint Forces Headquarters, New Castle, DE on April 10, 2016. Davis was recognized for his 33 year career in Army Aviation with over 4,500 accident-free flying hours and having previously served as the State Army Aviation Officer for Delaware. June 30, 2016
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NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Prairie Soldier Chapter
New Chapter Officers Aloha Chapter
Treasurer, CPT Matterson Sebastian
Iron Mike Chapter
Mrs. Joselly Franco, is inducted into the Honorable Order of Our Lady of Loreto by BG Scott R. Morcomb, commanding general of the 11th Theater Aviation Command at Ft. Knox, KY, on April 30, 2016 during a chapter meeting at Der Biergarten in Atlanta, GA. Franco was recognized for her outstanding work as the family readiness group leader for HHC, 244th Theater Aviation Brigade at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ.
CHAPTER PHOTO BY JOYCE WILSON
CHAPTER PHOTO BY LTC LEONARD A. GRATTERI
President, Dean Heitkamp Senior Vice President, Paul Ambrose
CW5 Martin Adkins, outgoing commander of Operational Support Airlift Detachment 43, Nebraska Army National Guard, is inducted into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Lincoln, NE, on April 1, 2016 by MAJ William McGreer, admin officer for the 1st Bn., 376th Avn. Regt. Adkins was recognized on the occasion of his retirement with more than 25 years of aviation service with the NE ARNG.
Mount Rainier chapter Treasurer, MAJ Matthew Fix
North Texas Chapter
Secretary, Steve Kihara VP Military Affairs, CPT Craig Neeley
Ragin’ Cajun Chapter
Secretary, CPT William Kuebler Treasurer, CPT Charles Snyder VP Programs, 1LT Joseph Kramer
UPCOMING EVENTS JULY 2016 July 1
Award Submission Deadline – ASE, AMSO, Avionics, and Donald F. Luce Depot Maintenance Artisan Awards
Thunderbird Chapter
July 5-9
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Annual Reunion, Reno, NV
July 15
AAAA SFI Executive Committee (Conference Call) Meeting, Arlington, VA
President, CW5 Paul Merchant, Ret. VP Programs, CW2 Brian Gage Treasurer, 1LT Tyler Sharpe Senior Vice President, CPT Brian Thacker VP At Large, SFC Nick Prescott
July 16
AAAA Scholarship Selection Committee Meeting, Arlington, VA
Utah chapter
July 22
Blue Book Submissions Deadline
VP Membership, Rich Johnson
AUGUST 2016 August 1
Award Submission Deadline – Logistics Support Unit of the Year; Materiel Readiness Awards; Fixed Wing Unit of the Year; UAS Soldier and Unit of the Year
SEPTEMBER 2016 Sept. 9-12 NGAUS 138th General Conference and Exhibition, Baltimore, MD
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Wright Brothers
Secretary, CW5 D.K. Taylor, Ret.
Yellowhammer Chapter President, COL Johnny Bass Secretary, CW4 J.R. Pote Treasurer, CPT Charles Gardner VP Membership, CPT Zachary Burton VP Programs, MAJ Bradley Williams VP Scholarship, CW2 Anthony Baccigalopi
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u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT
AAAA Membership
By CW5 (Ret.) Dave Cooper
The Membership Corner –
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Before we get to individual accomplishments, let’s highlight AAAA chapters that did a great job recruiting new members. The Bluegrass chapter headquartered in Lexington, KY added 19 members in 2015. Iron Mike chapter at Ft Bragg, NC gained 94 members last year, while the Jimmy Doolittle chapter out of Columbia, SC increased their membership with 183 new members! The Air Assault chapter at Ft. Campbell, KY is a Super Chapter; that is it has more than 501 members; they added an additional 190 members last year. Congratulations to chapter president Hawk Ruth and chapter membership VPs Donnie Calvery and Clifton O’Brien for their great work. Top Gun As previously reviewed in this column, information on AAAA’s Top Gun program is located at quad-a.org under the Membership tab and then the Membership FAQs. Each member who sponsors a new member receives an AAAA coin as a small token of our appreciation and a credit towards the ACES program. Those members who sponsor a total of five or more new members each year receives a $10 Amazon Gift Card in appreciation of their effort and is eligible to win the AAAA Top Gun contest. While these folks were recognized at the convention I wanted to ensure their names and accomplishments were published in this column. The Top Gun program is where AAAA recognizes and rewards individual recruiters. B. Garner Pouge III of the Corpus Christi chapter signed up 16 new members, which was good for 5th place and received $100. Coming in 4th place, Air Assault chapter’s Mark Mastrian enrolled 21 new members and received $200 for his outstanding efforts. From the Oregon Trail chapter, Adam Lulay came in third place by enrolling 81 new AAAA members for which he received $300. Coming in second was Allen Broyles of the Morning Calm chapter by signing up 82 members. He received $400. The overall 2015 Top Gun award winner was Robert Keeter from the Aviation Center Chapter. Robert enrolled 121 new members. As the grand prizewinner he received $300 and an all-expense paid trip to next year’s Summit in Nashville, TN.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
AAPI PHOTO BY RENÉ BIDEZ
y the time this article is published the Army Aviation Mission Solution Summit in Atlanta, GA will be a distant memory… albeit a very good one! My mother always told me that it is never too late to thank someone.
50-year-plus members and friends gather for a photo during a reception in their honor at the 2016 AAAA Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Atlanta, GA.
50 Year Membership Reception Each year during the Summit AAAA sponsors a reception honoring those who have been members for 50 years or more. This year the reception was held just prior to the Soldier’s Appreciation Dinner on Saturday night. There were about twenty 50 year members in attendance along with some friends and family members. Most of this group are Vietnam veterans who had logged flight time in H-19’s, L-19’s and the A models of UH-1 and CH-47. Both Army Aviation and AAAA were built on their shoulders, their exploits, their professionalism, their dedication to the ground force and their heroics. Everyone has heroes…this group of aviators is mine. When asked why they had stuck with AAAA so long most had a similar response. Paraphrasing, they said all their buddies belonged to AAAA. It was their professional organization. Going to the AAAA meetings was a chance to visit friends that you hadn’t seen and find out who got orders to PCS and find out where they were going. This sounds a lot like what today we call networking. The original publisher of the AAAA magazine, Ms. Dottie Kestin attended the reception as well. She and her husband, Art, first published the magazine in 1957. For those that have not had the pleasure of meeting her, Dottie’s smile is radiant and her eyes twinkle. She is truly a gem. Before the reception broke up we took the brilliant suggestion to take a picture. One of the honorees insisted his girlfriend be in the picture and that prompted all family members to join the group. The 50 Year Membership Reception was great fun. Thanks to each of you for your service to the Nation and your membership in AAAA. CW5 (Ret.) Dave Cooper AAAA Vice President for Membership
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NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u New Lifetime Members
CW3 Micahel B. Angus CPT Charles S. Ackley Jr. LTC Rip Ayers, Ret. CW5 John W. Bailey CSM Mark B. Baker SGM William J. Baker, Ret. MAJ Ravi A. Balaram Thomas M. Ballenger III 1LT Zachary D. Ballert LTC Guy D. Bass CPT Auston M. Bartlett SFC Ryan E. Becker Rolf Beutler SSG Peter T. Biancamano, Ret. SFC Micahel A. Bishop SGM Marty H. Book CPT David T. Booker CW3 Arthur D. Bosshart, USN Ret. CW3 Russell N. Bourgoyne CW3 Jeffery L. Braden CW3 Kyle A. Broach COL Richard T. Calchera Catherine Calkin Hayley T. Campbell 2LT Patrick H. Campbell CPT Daniel M. Cedillo Bryan Cheek CW2 Aaron I. Chiu CW2 Benjamin M. Ciraulo COL Jerome Clarke MAJ Ryan A. Cryer CW3 Timothy A. Dailey CW3 Nichaolas L. Demas SFC Christopher J. Danvers LTC Roger F. Deon Jr. LTC Thomas J. DiCandido Robert C. Doerer MAJ David Eaton CW3 David J. Falco LTC Michael R. Ford Tommy W. Filler SGT Daniel N. Fousse CPT Salvatore Garcia CW2 Ryan G. Georgenes CW5 Allen R. Godfrey Elvin K. Gunter LTC Ricky E. Ingram COL Robert R. Keeter CPT Joshua Kelly CW4 Thomas P. Hamilton LTC John L. Hamlin, Ret. LTC Michael Hansen CSM Rodney Harris CW5 Herbert W. Hayes IV COL Harold D. Hooks Jr. Robert W. Hutson CPT Thea Iacomino CW5 Charis A. James Larry Jess CPT Albert J. Lee COL Mark S. Levine Jeff A. Luther Doglas B. Lynch CW5 Marques A. Martins Stephen S. McCan SFC Gary W. McDaniel, Ret. William E. McLean LTC John H. McMahan CW3 Michael L. Meador LTC Ryan M. Miedema
BG Scott R. Morcomb CW4 James E. Morrow COL Eric M. Nelson, Ret. SFC Reginald R. Nelson, Ret. LTC Ross F. Nelson CW3 Kristopher D. Nordyke LTC Robert W. O’Connell LTC Michael S. Odom LTC Mark Ott CPT Robert L. Ozburn MAJ James R. Paulette Jr. CW3 Jason R. Payne LTC Jeffory A. Perkins, Ret. LTC Kevin Powers CPT Daniel P. Quinn CPT Brandon B. Reynolds MSG Erika E. Richardson SFC Charistina A. Rivera CPT James Robinson MAJ Jorge A. Rosario Dewayne N. Rudolph CPT Jeremy J. Saldana SGM Gerald J. Sallila MAJ Mary Beth Scott CPT Thomas B. Sears CW5 Bobby C. Sebren, Ret. MAJ Joshua Severs COL Gary M Servold, Ret. MAJ Michael C. Shaw 1LT Robert Sieman LTC Richard Siracusano Jr. Ret. 1LT Richard Siracusano III CW5 Dennis E. Smith CW3 Gerald P. Smith II LTC Mark A. Smith MAJ Christopher R. Spencer CW3 Adam Stratton CW4 Dale E. Stroud, Ret. CSM Micahel D. Sutterfield Gordon Sutton LTC Marck C. Taylor, Ret. CW5 Louis G. Timolat, Ret. CW4 Stephanie K. Truax, Ret. COL David J. Underwood CPT Joshua Vanderlip LTC Robert W. Walker BG Jason L. Walrath CW4 Nicholas G. Walz COL Christopher Waters CW3 Thomas E. Weekley Michael Weigart CW4 Randy L. Welcher CPT Ryan G. Whipple CPT Brent T. Wiese CW3 James Williamson, Ret. CPT Kyra J. Willyerd William C. Wilson CPT Steven M. Wisniewski
New Members Air Assault Chapter Jonathan F. Bolster CW5 Richard R. Campbell CW5 Scott Chapman 1SG Kyle Clutter CPT Joab Cohe CW3 Mark W. Crane CW4 Alberto Fraticelli CW4 Marcus Hazel CW5 John Hedges SGT Jeri Herring SFC Nathaniel Kittredge SGT Jason R Korbel
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
AAAA has started a new Top Recruiter Program
for 2016 which awards $100 to the member who recruits the most new members in a given month (minimum of 10 members to qualify).
AAAA congratulates the following Top Recruiter for May 2016:
CW3 David J. Facio VP Membership for the Bavarian Chapter - 16 new members For more information on this and other programs, contact your Chapter officers or go to quad-a.org.
SFC James R. Lamping CW5 Bernard E. Litaker Jr. CW3 Tony Luke 1LT Christopher Matteson SPC Emanuel L. Moore MAJ Paul B. Neal CW4 Stanley D. Pebsworth SFC Mark Pierce SSG Carlos R Rivera,Ret. MAJ Cole Spitzack SFC Robert Thurston Jr. MAJ Chadd M Tillman Robert A Waite III Aloha Chapter PV2 Roderick Aquino Jr. SFC Derrick T Davis LTC Randel Gillette Jennifer Niswender SPC Pantarat Peakipat CPT Matterson Sebastian PFC Shanon K. Sison MAJ Matthew Smith MAJ Michael Turpin Arizona Chapter Gregory Baker CDT Jacob Conover Mr. Edmund G. Elsner CW4 Michael E. Little CPT Robert L. Parker CW4 John Vandenberg,Ret. Armadillo Chapter CW2 Brett D. Aderhold CPT Jaymes D. Bell Aviation Center Chapter WO1 Nelson S. Austin CW2 Jonathan A. Bass CW2 Timothy Bedsole 2LT Robert L. Bingham WO1 Bruce E. Blaur Zebulon Coombs WO1 Stepen M. Culver 2LT Kyle T. Degraw 2LT Steven W. Eifert WO1 Allen H. Gardner CW4 James Hagerty 2LT Alexandra L. Hastings Mr. Mark Hayes WO1 Andrew T. Hill COL Sean Hollonbeck 2LT Tyler J. Jamison SFC Matthew P Kingsbury CPT Ryan Langhammer CW3 Chase Magann 2LT Irene L. Mallet WO1 Jacob A. Martin WO1 Albert N. Mathenge MSG Robert Meek CW3 Patricia Meek, Ret. CPT Sharleen Morgan CW5 Robert Morriss, Ret. CW3 Daesung Murray
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2LT Brenden Y.Parnagian 2LT Joseph M. Pirri CW4 James R. Pote 2LT Long C. Ran CW3 Lee D.Reichbaum WO1 RAymond Richardson WO1 Nicole Richardson WO1 Dillon T. Spray SPC Robert Sutterfield 2LT Daniel J. Trainer 2LT Kevin W. Winant Badger Chapter CW5 David Hinkens, Ret. Rachel Matthews PV2 Connor K. McCauley SSG Tom McDonald PV2 Derek M. Peterson Paul Voss Bavarian Chapter SSG Nino C. Banzuela PFC Dylan A. Conklin SPC Luis Marreroramos Paul S. McDonald SPC Rachael E. Morris MAJ Beau G. Rollie PFC Michael J. Umdhay Black Knights Chapter MAJ Lukas Berg Bluegrass Chapter Larry Sisson Cedar Rapids Chapter Tim Ford Central Florida Chapter Don Bolling George E. Cheros CDT Samuel Evans Andrew France-Beckford Anna Guaragno Scott Hooper Wesley J. Hyatt Cathy Margopoulos Michael C Orlovsky Lupe S. Prieto Jason Alan Reichard PFC Michael Smith Francisco Torres Colonial Virginia Chapter COL Arthur Conroy Jr. Ret. CW4 John Contratto III Ret. SSG Ron L Hinman LTC Jeff Rains, Ret. LTC Brad L Snowden, Ret. Connecticut Chapter Ann Adams SGT Michael J. Boscarino SGT Kyle F. Buckley Mrs. Nancy Ann Castorina LTC Raymond Chicoski Sr. Frank DiPasquale Natalie DuGay Marilyn Emery
Michael Jordan Robert Michell Lindsay Phillips SFC William B. Sowers Olivia Wolfgram SSG Mark Zimmer Corpus Christi Chapter Howard F. Koch Kenneth Mayle John N. Sena Cowboy Chapter CPT Wade I Myers Delaware Valley Chapter SPC Thomas Dougherty Massimo Pugnali PVT Isaiah C. Taylor Embry Riddle Eagle Chapter CW2 Matthew P. Simms Flint Hills Chapter Joe Chincuanco SGT Nicolas P. Dugan SGT Bryant A. Moreno SPC Cory M. Nystrom PFC Ryan E. Pittman SPC Monique S. Quezada CDT Daniel Schmidt COL Alan Soldan CPT Justin Stirling Flying Gator Chapter PVT Brian R. Cathey Kevin Fowler Mitchell Malone PV2 William Walter Flying Tigers Chapter Heather Chapman SPC Susanne Stermer SGT Todd Toombs Frontier Army Chapter MAJ Sean Davis Great Lakes Chapter SSG Kenneth Andersen CW2 Aaron Cartwright SPC David J. Casement SSG Daniel R. Crampton CW2 Andrew S Griffin CW2 Troy P. Kosal CPT Kyle H Love CW3 Timothy A. Miller CW2 Ryan T. Moore CW2 Michael F. Murray SGT Skyler D. Nauta 1LT Todd M. Osborne Jr. SFC Douglas E. Rawlins CW2 Jonathan Sheaffer SFC Michael D. Webb Greater Atlanta Chapter SSG Schmacher A Blount MAJ Stephen David Boda New AAAA members continued on next page
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New AAAA members continued CW4 Dario Britton Wayne Carlisle Bryan Cessna Robert Chinn William Davis COL Samuel F Driver LTC Fred Edwards MAJ Alan R Fey, Ret. Eugene L.Fleeman Jr. Robert Allen Gaboardi Scott Geller LTC Edwin Gerot, Ret. Robert Karlinski Nathan Kwan CW4 Thomas C. Latham MAJ William McManus, Ret. CDT Christopher Olmstead Catherine E. Ort Ashley Todee Quartey CW2 James Radcliff Dave Tippel CW2 Patrick C Will Carol Williams Greater Chicago Chapter Chris Timothy Corcoran SSG Timothy Nosser LTC Charles M. Schlom Griffin Chapter 1SG Kenneth Aungst, Ret. 1LT William McGinnis SSG Michael P. Smith Idaho Snake River Chapter PV2 John Ervin PV2 Alexander K. Galloway Iron Mike Chapter WO1 John Barrett SPC Michael S. Craig CPT Trudylee Fisher Tyler Roca Jimmy Doolittle Chapter CW2 James Barlow, Ret. David Bishop PFC Forrest L Hite Keystone Chapter SPC Nicholas J Conner CSM Nilsa M Cruz CW4 Heather E. Oglesby SSG Michael Simmers Lindbergh Chapter SPC Brandon L. Micheletti Robert James Tock MacArthur Chapter SGT Jermaine Cohen SSG Peter R. Pifer Katie A. Zimmermann Magnolia Chapter 2LT James Haycraft CPT Christopher Stump Mid-Atlantic Chapter MAJ Cary Bacon SGT James K. Bolek SSG Brian F. Byrd PVT Robert Camp SFC Israel Franco CPT Kerry D. Fredrich SGT Christopher Hoffman James Lloyd Danny Mayfield LTC Scott McIntosh Gary Olson CW5 Gino S. Spescia LTC John N Tumino Minuteman Chapter Paul Daigneault Suzanne Daniels CW2 Michael J. Reilly Mohawk Chapter SPC Nicholas Cavanaugh 2LT Devis Ceci
Eric M. Geoffroy Morning Calm Chapter PFC Thomas Aldrich CPT Brittany M. Ashlock SPC Tyler M. Aul PFC Patrick W. Blohm SFC Charmaine Campbelll CW3 Joshua Paul Collins 1LT Jarrett J. Concannon SPC Justin T. Corcoran 1LT Neal E. Covell MAJ Frederick Cummings CPT Matthew T. Fackler LTC David N. Feltwell SFC Mark C. Galiza SGT Dustin V. Gomez SGT Mariah K. Green 1LT Christopher W. Howell CPT Cydnia L. Jackson SFC Jason Keefer 1SG Arnel Kroll CPT Ryan LaPlante PFC Jeremy T. Lee CW2 Stephen D. Lee 1LT Joshua L. Lepper PFC Chasitee D. Little 1LT Steven W. Lovelace SSG Alfredo ` Magana 1LT Rebecca M. Marshall SSG Joshua W. Martin 2LT Patrick F. McCluskey CW2 Aaron C. Moore CPT Arthur J. Murphy SSG Brian K. Newell, Sr. SFC Masao T. Nomura PFC Sarah O. Oropesa CPT Richard Pazdzierski SGT Jonathan S. Peoples 1LT Katelyn N. Radack SFC Matthew D. Richie 2LT Min Sog Ryu SFC Julio A. Saunders 1LT Luke J. Schumacher SSG Damian A. Schwab LTC April Skou SGT Jason D. Stoutenburg James Strickland LTC Allen T. Thiessen MAJ Nathan H. Whitney 1LT Aaron A. Wolcott Hanna Yu Mount Rainier Chapter SFC Luke F. Backes CW4 Rex Bruce SGT Aaron J. Dunn PFC Juan FloresQuezada SSG Greg A Freeman CW2 Clifton Malm MAJ David J. Orzech CPT Ryan Rooks SFC David Swanson, Ret.
North Country Chapter 1SG Marques A. Jones CW3 Peter A. Latham MAJ Al LoPresti, Ret. SSG Michael McArthur Jr. CW3 Thomas Streit, USAR North Star Chapter MAJ Andrew Nordseth Mr. James P Sorensen SPC Luke M. Sosniecki North Texas Chapter SSG Thomas Cantu Janie Foster William Harless Melissa Haymes PV2 Dillon M. Holcombe Edward Hudson Mr. David Lloyd Kirby SGT Samuel D. Moore Hunter C. Sheuerman
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Edward L. Simonini Old Tucson Chapter CW4 Douglas B. Determan SFC Terry R. Horner COL Douglas W. Little SPC John A. Maez LTC John N. Morelos CW3 Vincent Savala Mary E. Sykes PFC James T. West Oregon Trail Chapter 1SG Jim Redman Brown PV2 Shoni Esquiro Phantom Corps Chapter CW3 Joseph E. Beauchamp CPT Shawn Bowden CPT John Mcquilliams CSM Roque Quichocho Jr. CPT Rob Wilson CW3 Grenville Yearwood Pikes Peak Chapter MAJ Marvin R. Adams, Ret. SGT Keith A. Burgess SGT Dorlis J. Colon SFC Edward M. Duque PFC Mansor J. Elisha Paul Finn SPC Jeffery F. Foster MAJ Cameron G Gallagher SPC Wilbert Gonzalez Chp Richard R. Hurst CW4 Michael W Lovelace MAJ Dylan W. Malcomb LTC Damian McCabe SGT Dustin R. McInelly CW4 Carl Miller SPC Joshua A. Novelo PV2 Katherine G. Rodriguez PVT Dale Joseph Satterthwaite SFC Neil J Schmidt SPC Marc A. Webber PV2 Alexander Wilson Prairie Soldier Chapter SGT John Bartel PVT Michael L. Schmidt Ragin’ Cajun Chapter SSG Christopher Billingsley MAJ Thomas M Jones CPT Charles D. Snyder SSG Steven R. Sykes CW4 Robert Teague Rio Grande Chapter CW2 Zachary K. Georgia 1LT Brian Keefer CPT Jared Kolb SPC Alton F. Pelayo CW2 Mehdi Thomas Savannah Chapter CW2 Matthew Andersen 1LT Jeremy Bowling PFC Kamron L. Burrus CW4 James R. Carrico CW2 Dallas M. Garcia SGT Justin D. Jackson SPC Ivey C Miller, Jr. CW3 Arron T. Richards CW4 James M. Riley SPC Danielle M. Womack CW4 Wade Ziegler ShowMe Chapter 1SG Trafton Creemer, Ret. CW4 Christopher Weddle Southern California Chapter SFC Richard H. Barbara 1LT Jeffrey S. Brockmeier CW2 Cassandra R. Bryson CPT Danny Cruz CW2 Ronald Diller Stephen Dixon 1SG David P. Dubell SPC Jonatahn Marquez CW5 William Patterson, Ret.
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SGT Robert Prewitt SFC Edward L. Pulver SSG Dalila B. Rosales CMSgt Christopher Rushing Christine M. Torres PFC Sara Vasseur Stonewall Jackson Chapter 1LT Jackson W Fairburn Tarheel Chapter CW5 Carnadose Bauknight John Spencer Boler CW4 Michael Eckhardt CW5 Scott Henry Ed Johnson WO1 Brian R. Litwiler CW4 Brian L. Nelson, Ret. CPT Alva M. Pearson CW5 John Ray SFC Timothy Reichert WOC Brent Thomas Snow Tennessee Valley Chapter COL Juan Arcocha, Ret. MAJ Kendra Bencun LTC Aubrey Bentley, Ret. Xuyen K. Do MSG Marius Dockery Mark Gauldin CW3 Cruz Gonzalez Lee Ann Hunt CSM Carlos J. Magwood Valerie McGrath COL Stephen Milton David L. Motes Austen Newlin Ken Noland Sandeep K Patel, PhD SSG Thomas R. Prouhet Jason A. Pugh Brendan F. Schlosser COL Joe David Seay, Ret. Derek Sharp SFC Greg Smart, Ret. Alan Spencer John T Stough LTC Rodney A Turner Kathy Wigley Dan Ziegler Thunder Mountain Chapter Lee Patrick Thunderbird Chapter 1LT Vinnie Bracaglia COL Mike Callis, Ret. SPC Christopher A. Davis James Mahan SGT Kevin L. Witt Utah Chapter Earl Hyrum Malmrose SSG George C. Young III Volunteer Chapter MAJ Nicholas Drakos CW4 Penny Jacobs, Ret. CDR Bob Pergler Voodoo Chapter Steve Atkinson Christopher Delao LTC Hannon Didier SSG Joseph C Lafleur Capt. Olin F. Land, Jr. Washington-Potomac Chapter CW5 Quinn Albert Stephanie Blankenship MAJ Rob Cranston Emma Dereberry SPC Davis Fairchild CW4 Frederick Lamar Hall MSGT Jerome Hodge, Ret. SGT Aaron J Jones Dan McConnell Garrett Richard Miller CW5 Craig Nixon, Ret. Ian Northrop CW3 Trinidad Rodriguez Jr.
Jeff Showalter COL Clyde Woltman, Ret. Winged Warriors Chapter COL Felipe Sandoval Wright Brothers Chapter MG Mark Atkinson, Ret. SSG Gregory Casagrande COL Joe E.Coogan, Ret. Phil Phillips Dismukes SSG Benjamin P. Embreus CW2 Jason R. Forson CAPT Dennis J.Gartland Sr. Daniel Hingston Frank C Maus CW2 Cody W. Schapson Yellowhammer Chapter WO1 Nelson S. Austin CW2 Scott Baccigalopi CW2 Jonathan A. Bass CPT Ryan Langhammer CW4 James R. Pote Zia Chapter 1LT Templer Horry CW4 Delfin E Medina CPT James Raschel No Chapter Affiliation PFC Ahmed O. Akinloye Walied M. Almendiel Arthur Averitt Matthew L Ayers PV2 Eric J. Baird SPC Carlo T. Ballesteros SPC James G. Barr SGT Derick M. Bauman SPC Justin J. Berry CWO Jacques J.Boucher Mr. Forrest E. Boulware III LTC William T. Breeze Mr. Jonathan Buff SPC Harry J Calderbank PV2 Nathan J. Campbell PVT Skyler T. Cantrell MG Ray Carpenter, Ret. Gene Champe 1SG Mario J. Cirinese, Sr. SPC Samantha L. Correa Doug Cowart Barry Crane, V Ret. John Cunneen SPC Ken J. Datas SSG Eugene S. Deriada Sal Detruit Cornelious Doraton PV2 Timothy J. Draher SGT Stephen A. Egert CW4 Kenneth Engasser MAJ Andrew Evans Jonathan Faiella Erik Faraldo PFC Dreen L. Fincham Eric Gagnon Benito M Garcia LTC Robert Gibson, Ret. SGT Branden E. Giembusz CW4 Michael D. Goff, Ret. PVT Isaac Gomez Caleb Goodwyn Tom Johnson COL Andrew Jones Joseph R. Kelly, Ret. Declan Keogh CPT William King, Ret. MSGT Shane Labrie SPC Cody D. Larsen David Lee, USN Ret. PFC Wynand J. Lehman Mike Love SGT Mark A. Malenic SGT Joshua J. Manci New AAAA members continued on page 73
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Mrs. Clarissa “TC” Freeman AAAA is saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Clarissa “TC” Freeman on May 19, 2016 at the Jennie Stuart Medical Center, Hopkinsville, KY following a long illness. She was 83. A native of Killeen, she served as a field representative for 9½ years for former U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning and was currently serving as a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA). Married to Army Aviator COL (Ret.) Bob Freeman, they moved to Hopkinsville when he was named garrison commander at Fort Campbell and remained there after he retired from the Army. As the wife of a decorated Vietnam aviator, and mother to two sons who served in the Persian Gulf and a daughter who was an Army wife, she knew what other spouses were going through when their husbands and wives were deployed. She was involved in taking care of wounded soldiers. She planned welcome home events. She tackled issues that troubled Army families, such as ID card and housing problems. She hosted luncheons, consoled families in their grief and, as a Champion of Fort Campbell, was an advocate for funding of Fort Campbell. She was instrumental in establishing the Welcome Home Flights for soldiers returning after Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and those flights continue to this day. Her support for Fort Campbell went into high gear after her husband retired and her passion for the soldiers of Fort Campbell never ceased, even as her illness limited her abilities. While confined to her bed, she remained active on social media and often sent out messages of support to the Fort Campbell based 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). She was a member of the Kentucky Military Affairs Commission, the board of directors for the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, Hopkinsville/Christian County Military Affairs Committee, a volunteer at Fisher House and an Eagle Ambassador. She was an honorary member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, 5th Special Forces Group and 327th Infantry Regiment, and distinguished member of the 502nd and 187th Infantry Regiments.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
AAPI PHOTO BY BILL HARRIS
FREEMAN FAMILY PHOTO
In Memoriam
COL Jim Lloyd Interred Family and friends of COL (Ret.) Jim Lloyd gathered at the Fort Myers Old Chapel on April 6, 2016 for his interment at Arlington National Cemetery, VA. A former director of the USAACE Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization and 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade commander, he passed away suddenly and peacefully of natural causes on July 28, 2015. His wife, COL (Ret.) Karen Lloyd (also an Army Aviator) serves on the AAAA National Executive Board and Scholarship Foundation Board of Governors.
A life member of AUSA, she served as Tennessee/ Kentucky AUSA chapter president, Kentucky state president, and Second Region president. She was a recipient of the AUSA Citation for Exceptional Service in 2002 and received the Anthony Drexel Biddle Medal, AUSA’s second highest award. Also a Life Member of AAAA, she was inducted into the Honorable Order of Our Lady of Loreto and as a Knight of the Honorable Order of Saint Michael for her support of Army Aviation and the Aviation community. She also received the Department of the Army Award for Public Service and the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. In 2009, both she and her husband were among the first nine honored as Champions of Fort Campbell, and their portraits were installed on a wall inside the division’s headquarters building. Funeral services were on Sunday, May 22nd, at the First United Methodist Church in Hopkinsville and interment with full honors the following day at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville. May she rest in peace.
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AAAA Family Forum
By Judy Konitzer
The Voices of Awardee Spouses
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ost enjoyable for me at the 2016 AAAA Summit was having the opportunity to meet our awardees and many of their families. Several spouses acceptied my invitation to share their acceptance remarks or thoughts with us.
PHOTO BY MELISSA VONESCHENBACH
Travis Stewart
Wife of Colonel Harvey E. Stewart (Deceased), Army Aviation Hall of Fame inductee “My family and I thank you for this wonderful occasion of honoring our loved one. Not only have you brought to mind some wonderful memories, but we are now experiencing what will become wonderful memories for the future. Harvey would be very humbled and forever grateful for this honor. He would say he was representing so many who gave so much and he would seek to honor them. Harvey and Army Aviation were a perfect match. The challenge, the moment by moment involvement, the excitement of seeing Army Aviation develop an ever increasing role in military importance, and looking to the future for greater possibilities created a fulfilling career for him. AAAA is an organization he greatly appreciated, and he looked to AAAA magazine for information until his death. A hero has an instinct, a voice inside that urges the person to be a savior. To a hero, there is no choice in the matter when it comes to saving lives. Regardless of age, size, or disability, a hero simply is. This is what I observed in Harvey during our many years together. After Harvey retired from the
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Army, his passion moved from aviation to Disaster Relief and Christian ministry and missions… I, with gratitude, accept Harvey’s induction on behalf of my hero, Harvey Stewart.”
Crystina Backes
Wife of SFC Luke Backes, 4th BN, 160th SOAR(A), Robert M. Leich Award winner “This was my first time attending the AAAA Summit and it was an experience that my family will never forget. When my husband first spoke of his nomination, I was so proud of him as always, but little did I know this wasn’t an ordinary award. It was an honor to even be considered from the thousands of Soldiers in Aviation positions. Like other spouses, it is frustrating when he works 14 hour days and travels often. I continually remind myself “this is what I signed up for when I married a military man, and his selflessness and work ethic is the reason I fell in love with him.” His job is more than providing for our little family, but for the safety of millions of families across our country. We are so grateful for the recognition and appreciation shown for my husband’s hard work, and for the love and support AAAA shows our fami-
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lies as well. This organization reminds us of the importance Aviation Branch has in the Army, the sacrifices our active duty Soldiers and Veterans have made and continue to make, and that our community and government’s support is much needed more than ever for the morale of our families and for this well-oiled machine called Army Aviation. Thank you AAAA for all you do.” Watching Crystina ascend the steps to the stage with a broken ankle in a walking boot cast to accept the award for her husband was proof that Night Stalkers Spouses Don’t Quit! Judy.
Michele Deon
Wife of LTC Roger F. Deon, AAAA Army Reserve Aviation Unit of the Year commander “The 2016 AAAA Summit was an amazing experience! It is clear that AAAA is an organization that recognizes and supports our Soldiers and Aviation professionals, and the Summit is an event where Retired, Active Duty, National Guard, Army Reserves, Industry and their families are equally welcome, supported, and celebrated. We celebrated the generations who came before us; we thanked those who carry the torch today; and we shared information and invaluable networking capabilities to those who are new. The social events were enjoyable, well organized, and the family programs allowed family members to develop relationships that will last beyond the Summit. What truly humbled me is how hard the AAAA Staff worked to accommodate the Soldiers and their families. Everyone from the U.S. Army Reserve Aviation, the Flying Tigers Chapter, and Fort Knox, KY humbly appreciate the hospitality and graciousness displayed.”
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Janet Sheckles
Wife of CSM Carl M. Sheckles, AAAA Army Reserve Aviation Unit of the Year senior NCO “This was my first time attending the AAAA Summit and I enjoyed every moment. To be able to attend an event that truly cares about the entire military family is so rewarding. I’ve always known how dedicated my husband is when it comes to serving our country. Until I attended this Summit, I never realized that I’ve been in the presence of a Hero for 30 years! I am so proud of My Soldier.”
Amy F. Lamping
Wife of SFC James R. Lamping, the Rodney J.T. Yano Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award winner “Being an Army wife for almost 8 years I have known James’s dedication and commitment to the Army, but I was not prepared for the experience of him actually receiving this award. When we arrived at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta I was impressed by the beautiful venue and how well we were treated. Meeting with Ms. Arena, I quickly realized what an honor it was to receive such a prestigious award. Throughout our time at the Summit, we were surrounded by amazing Soldiers and Officers, many who outranked my husband, but we were treated with great respect. I realized that no matter the rank, AAAA was designed to honor and serve those who are committed to Army Aviation, and James is honored to be recognized by such an amazing organization. We look forward to attending the Summit for many years to come.” Judy Konitzer is the family forum editor for ARMY AVIATION; questions and suggestions can be directed to her at judy@ quad-a.org.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
New AAAA members continued from page 70 PVT Nicholas Martinez-Mejia 1LT Soma A. Mayahzadeh Bob McAleer Hal Merryman SGT Justin C. Middleton SFC Lynn Mills Taylor Nicole Morrison Kenneth E Nicholas PVT Raymond Nicholas Jr. PVT Dylan M. Noel SPC Hank L. Oilovch LTC Timothy O’Leary III Ret. Masayuki Oshitani Mike Owens Barbie Peek Tom Perkowski James Pfister PV2 Robert M. Pippard SGT Andrew D. Raby LTC Brian Raduenz, Ret. CW3 Dustin Ramsey SSG Brandon P. Robb SGT Geraldo R. Roberts Capt. Karl Russell Quito Saez Derek Sharp John Singleton Egbert Smit SGT Jonathan Solano CW4 Jason Lee Stephens PFC Matthew S. Sutton Kenneth Tappe CW4 Eliud Torres Jacob Veldhouse SGT Dalton Warren LTC Steve Weigel SSG Michael E. Wirick Angel Wolfrey SPC Kenneth F.W. Yap
2016 chapter sponsored Soldiers enjoyed their time together at the Hall of Fame gala event held at the Army Aviation Summit in Atlanta, GA.
Lost Members Help AAAA locate a lost member from this list and recieve a FREE one month extension to your AAAA membership! PFC Samantha Amorine SPC Omar S. Anwar COL Juan Arcocha, Ret. Otis Armstrong CDT Elijah J. Bail MAJ Timothy Baker Susan L. Beckman 1SG Mark Andrew Bedwell MAJ Matthew Bowman CW2 David L Brannan Kevin L. Bredenbeck Robert N. Brown Steve Brown Kathleen Byrne William P Caffey Dee Campobasso Rene Castilleja MAJ Christopher Michael Chung CDT Joshua Clark Shawn W. Clark James E Collier
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CW4 Andrew C. Cranford, Ret. Kyle Davis CW2 Jeffrey M. Delfin LTC James E. Dimon Kevin Douglas LTC Fred J. Dufault Marcio Duffles CW3 Tommy Lynn Eaves, Ret. CW5 Jeff Elmore, Jr. Ret. Ashley Erickson David Fields CPT Matthew J. Fleming Mitzie L Forrest WO1 Gerald C. Fraiser CDT Julia Frassetto 1SG Robert John Graham, III CW2 Kayla C. Grass Scott Gray SPC Allen S. Hancock MAJ Michael A Hansen SGT Joseph J. Heuberger CW5 Gregory J. Hilewitz, Ret. Satonya T. Hobson-Williams Joe Holter LTC James E. Huber James L. Hunt Alan John CW4 Anthony S. Johnson MAJ Charles F. Johnson, Ret. MAJ Kenneth K. Jones, USAF Ret. CPT Kellie L. Keller SFC Thomas P. Klehn 2LT Benjamin J. Krzeczowski CPT Steven Kuhni MG Ronald F. Lewis, Sr. 2LT Carlos F. Lopes SPC Javier Alex Lopez Dean Loucks CW2 Jose L. Martinez, Ret. John Mastrogiacomo WO1 Jordan B. McCoy 2LT Collin McDermott CPT Kristal Mckoy CW5 Brent A. Mellaud SPC Gregory G. Michalopoulos CSM Dale Lee Miller
WO1 Timothy A. Moore SFC Bill R. Nabors, Jr. CDT Niels Nielsen CPT Patrick Casey O’Donnell Eric Linc Olivares Dana R. Osborne Ryan Palmieri LTC Roger K. Paquette SGT Ashley B. Pardo MSG Apelila N. Paresa SSG Tyler Parsons MAJ Brian Payne SGT Shodea L. Pitts SPC Derek A. Poole SFC Steven Reynolds Creig Rice CW3 Trinidad Rodriguez, Jr. Jim Roop CSM Donald L. Rose, Jr. SGT Marc L Rothman, Jr. SSG Timothy A. Ryan Jeff Salata Louis Scipioni, Jr. 1LT Lacey L. Sovern Larry Stolz SGT Thomas E. Storms MAJ Chad A. Stover Michael A. Strieber LTC Richard W. Thomas, Jr. Ret. WO1 Bobby Triantos Quinton Van Gundy Mr. Alden D. Van Winkle CW4 Gregory T. Vaughn Christopher Wagner COL Charles L. Weaver, Jr. SSG Tylor J. Wheeler CW5 Steven G. Whipple, Sr. CW4 David White 1LT James B. Whittington Justin M. Wisdom Christopher Donald Wood PFC Sarah A Wood Richard Wright
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Thank You to Our Scholarship Fund Donors AAAA recognizes the generosity of the following individuals, chapters and organizations that have donated to the Scholarship Foundation since the beginning of the calendar year. The list includes donations received for all scholarships, as well as the General Fund which provides funding to enable the chapter, corporate, heritage and individual matching fund programs as well as national grants and loans. Donors marked with an * are partially or totally donating to the newly established Families of the Fallen Scholarship. Every penny donated to the Scholarship Foundation goes directly to
a grant or loan as a result of the Army Aviation Association of America subsidizing ALL administrative costs!
Sidney W. Achee Acquisition Integration, LLC Air Assault AAAA Chapter Airbus Group Aloha AAAA Chapter Ameripack, Inc. MG (Ret.) Ronald K. Andreson Army Aviation Center FCU Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, Inc. W.T. & D.R. Atchley Steve Atkinson Augustawestland North America, Inc. Avion Solutions, Inc. BAE Systems CW5 John W. Bailey Karen Barker LTC (Ret.) James R. Barkley, Sr. COL Mark M. Beckler BG (Ret.) Joe & Helen Bergantz Big Red One AAAA Chapter Bluegrass AAAA Chapter The Boeing Company CAPT (Ret.) Pete Bohn II Booz Allen Hamilton LTC DeAnna L. Bridenback Tracy G. & Keith Brown CPT Matthew L. Brown William E. Butler, Jr. Kenneth B. Capolongo Charles A. & Anne L. Carter Carrie A. & Michael P. Cavalier CW3 Gary L. Clark CPT Timothy L. Childrey COL (Ret.) C. Doug Ciley, Jr. Frank L. Collazo Steve Cope Tim Cornett John Cunneen Defense Enterprise Solutions, LLC COL (Ret.) Thomas J. DeVine Hon. Dell L. Dailey Warren M. Dasczynski MAJ (Ret.) Jon D. Davis William Davis CW5 Troy A. DeGoyler Stephen E. Dickens Digiflight, Inc. COL Samuel F. Driver Russell L. Dunford Nicole M. Edmonds James O. Emerson
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
European Firearms Importer, LLC BG (Ret.) William H. Forrester, Jr. Anthony J. Gentile Leslie H. Gilbert COL Jon R. Greenhaw Allan L. & Rose M. Gruer Jeff & Andrea Hager COL (Ret.) Curt J. Herrick, Jr. Harry Hewson Carl E. & Judith H. Hildebrand Karen L. Hill Sean Hollonbeck Art Jacobs JACS Gary D. & Marijane M. Jerauld William A. & Andrea J. Johns COL Larry M. & Linda F. Jonas Nancy L. & Anthony R. Jones Keystone AAAA Chapter Michael W. Key David L. Kirby John Kozub Donal Krause Dr. (COL, Ret.) Hal Kushner Tracey A. Lake LTC Phillip H. Lamb Edward L. Landry COL Daniel K. Lane Jeffrey L. Langhout COL (Ret.) John Lasch III Cecilia M. Lewis Arno Linder Macy’s Bloomingdale’s COL P. Manke CW2 Tom Marshall CW5 Marques A. Martins CSM James McConnell Rutherford T. & Kristine E. McGuire MCR Federal, LLC Millennium Systems Services, Inc. COL Douglas E. Moore CAPT Stephen R. Muecke CW2 (Ret.) Donald T. Munsch Munsch & Company Aeromechanics LtCol (Ret.) Todd E. Newtown CPT Jason Nichols Rick C. Ochs LTC (Ret.) Stanford Oliver MG (Ret.) Virgil L. Packett II COL (Ret.) Derek J. Paquette, Sr. Derek J. & Kathleen Paquette
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MAJ Richard J. Pere Piasecki Foundation Jerry Prince COL (Ret.) Jack H. Pryor COL (Ret.) Barney Pultz LTC John E. Quackenbush MG (Ret.) Kenneth Quinlan, Jr. Stewart E. Remaly Joseph Rice Kirk M. & Jane E. Ringbloom Robertson Fuel Systems Rockwell Collins Charitable Ron Root James C. Rowland Jennifer Rusak Brian M. Sabourin LTC (Ret.) Fred C. Sautter CW5 Benjamin D. Savage SGT Christopher Schara Michael Seldes LTC (Ret.) Emmett C. Shaffer Sigmatech, Inc. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation LTC (Ret.) Michael K. Slowinski CW5 Timothy Smail So. California AAAA Chapter William Squires, Jr. Karl V. Stahlecker Garnett R. Stowe, Jr. 2LT Masaki Sudo Paul H. Surry System Dynamics International System Studies & Simulation, Inc. Tarheel AAAA Chapter Technical Ordinance Group, Inc. CW4 Barry Thomason TJK Konsulting, Inc. COL (Ret.) Harry W. Townsend Victory Solutions, Inc. Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Louis Vogler Mendiel Almendiel Walied James D. & K. Lynn Walker LTC Steve Weigel James T. West Joyce M. Wilson Albert L. Winn Robert D. Witzler David Wolons Clifton E. Yu
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AAAA Legislative Report By COL (Ret.) William H. Morris AAAA Representative to The Military Coalition (TMC)
[email protected]
National Defense Authorization Act 2017
The House of Representatives passed their version of the National Defense Authorization Act on May 18th, 277-147 providing for $606 billion in discretionary spending for defense and energy programs. This total is the same amount submitted in the President’s Budget, but the House made significant moves within the budget submission to include using $23.5 billion in overseas contingency operations (OCO) funding to the base budget to maintain or increase proposed services active duty end strength and for new programs, as well as providing an additional $35.7 billion to sustain contingency operations through April of 2017. The forced cut off of OCO funding will certainly make the next President have to consider a funding supplemental for sustaining combat operations globally just months after taking office. Of course this move has alarmed the White House and House Democrats and could likely lead to the President’s veto of the NDAA for the sixth time during his two terms of office. One of the major themes of the House bill is restoring readiness and to that end the bill specifically called out applying more resources to enhance training for Army and Marine Aviation units whom have recently experienced higher mishap rates over the last ten year period and since the start of sequestration two years ago. The House also looks to preserve end strength for the Army by keeping the total at 480,000 rather than the Presidential Budget request to drawdown to 450,000 by Fiscal Year 2018. In taking care of Servicemembers and their families, the House bill supports a higher pay raise of 2.1% compared to the Presidential Budget submission for a 1.6%. The 2.1% number keeps Servicemembers pay on par with the Employee Cost Index, the National quarterly report on wages, bonuses and benefits, as directed by law. Based on combatant command and Service shortfalls, the House bill restores funding for 24 UH-60M and increases funding for an additional 12 UH-60M. Additionally, the bill restores five
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
AH-64E Guardian remanufactured aircraft and supports 17 LUH-72 Lakotas. Advanced Precision-Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Hydra Rocket totals were also increased from the 100 requested in the Presidential Budget to 600 based on critical Army shortfalls. The Senate side of things is looking a bit different than the House. On May 13th the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) marked their version of the NDAA authorizing $543 billion in the base budget and $59 billion on OCOC funding. Prior to the Senate’s vote on the NDAA Senator John McCain (AZ), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee is prepared to introduce legislation that would authorize defense spending in the base budget at approximately $17 billion above the mandated caps of the Defense Budget Act of 2011. This is certain to cause angst on both sides of the aisle as it would force an automatic debate which would be separated from domestic and other non-defense related bills and could jeopardize the bi-partisan two year agreement reached last year which solidified the budget through the end of 2017. Additionally, under Senator McCain’s plan the 2017 NDAA would contain language that would eliminate the position and authorities of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics currently held by the Hon. Frank Kendall, and yield even more authority to the Services in a continuing theme from the 2016 NDAA where the Service chiefs and secretaries received more authorities which has been witnessed by recent changes to the Army Requirements and Oversight Council (AROC) that is the final approval authority now for programs like the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP). Meanwhile the Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) unveiled their $574 billion budget plan for defense on May 24th. The SAC bill keeps the pay raise for Servicemembers at 1.6% in FY 2017 and reduces overall end strength by 25,000. It should be an interesting caucus later this summer as the four committees seem to each have their nuances and it will make for lively debate.
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Veterans Administration Challenges
Just when it seemed that Veterans Administration Secretary Robert McDonald had the organization on a corrective path, he then complicated matters by comparing medical treatment at the VA to the same experience as standing in line to ride an amusement in Disneyland. The reaction from Veteran’s Service Organizations and Military Support Organizations was immediate and unflattering charging that the comparison of Veteran’s health care to an amusement ride seemed in poor taste and degrading. Although Secretary McDonald was trying to make a point that customer satisfaction was the most important outcome from a visit to a VA clinic, many organizations and politicians such as the American Legion, Presidential candidate Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan all disagreed with the Secretary’s analogy. The VA continues to be mired by long wait times for appointments which were most recently noted in a GAO report which evaluated 180 new enrollees in VA care only to find that half of them were unable to access primary care because VA staff did not know or understand the guidelines of the new policy. Additional challenges emerged on the same week as the Secretary’s Disney comparison when reports emerged that the VA had declared thousands of Veterans deceased, stopping all benefit payments and adding more animosity to the embroiled agency. Although the VA processes millions of cases each year, the financial burden and time spent by Veterans correcting a record of death does present unnecessary hardship and embarrassment to the organization. Many of the misrepresented deaths have been a result of the death match program where the VA cross checks with the Social Security Administration to ensure benefit recipients are being rightfully compensated. Largely this is the result of many cases of fraudulent VA benefits being sent out to those Veterans who were deceased while others were fraudulently using social security numbers and addresses to get benefit checks from those whom had already passed away.
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Industry News
Announcements Related to Army Aviation Matters
Editor’s note: Companies can send their Army Aviation related news releases and information to
[email protected].
SNC Selected to Provide SOCOM Solution for BORES
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, CA, was awarded a $9,486,872 modification to contract W58RGZ-13-C-0110 to exercise fiscal 2016 option hours for engineering services for the Grey Eagle unmanned aircraft system; work will be performed in Poway, with an estimated completion date of April 2, 2017.
U.S. ARMY PHOTO
L-3 Communications Verex Aerospace LLC, Madison, MS, was awarded a $9,629,413 incrementally funded, firm-fixed-price, logistics support bridge contract action for the Logistics Readiness Center (LRC), Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, GA with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2016.
Sierra Nevada Corp is in contract negotiations with the U.S. Army as it prepares to field an interim degraded visual environment (DVE) capability based on the U.S. Special Operations Command DVE Pilotage System. The Army has been pursuing a Brownout Rotorcraft Enhancement System (BORES) for fielding on UH-60M/V Black Hawk and CH-47F helicopters. Based on industry responses to a request for information (RFI) that closed last year and an integrated product team (IPT) meeting in February, SNC’s DVESP was chosen as the best and quickest interim solution. PEO Aviation signed the acquisition decision document (ADD) on April 15. According to SNC, the system is now undergoing developmental and qualification testing ahead of a “milestone C” low-rate production decision. Full-rate production authorization from SOCOM is expected in the 2017/2018 timeframe with the regular army expected to begin production of DVE BORES around the 2019/2020 timeframe, according to COL Matthew Hannah, project manager for Aviation Systems. While the forwardlooking BORES system enables takeoffs, landings and limited hover and ground taxing in brownout conditions, it is an interim solution. The DVE full capability covers all modes of flight in all conditions and will be integrated onto the Future Vertical Lift aircraft and the full fleet.
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS PHOTO
L-3 President/COO Elected to The Wings Club Foundation Board of Governors
L-3 Communications announced on April 6 that its president and chief operating officer, Christopher E. Kubasik, has been elected to the Board of Governors of The Wings Club Foundation, Inc. Established in New York City in 1942, The Wings Club is a leading global foundation dedicated to the advancement and development of aviation.
Contracts – (From various sources. An “*” by a company name indicates a small business contract) AAR Allen Services Inc.,* Garden City, NY, was awarded a $7,280,276 firm-fixed-price, multi-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for overhauling T-700 anti-ice valves; funding and work location will be determined with each order with an estimated completion date of May 26, 2021.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Northrup Grumman Systems Corp., Chantilly, VA, was awarded a $24,587,690 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for line replaceable unit repair, reset/overhaul, and technical services for various Guardrail Common Sensors, receiving sets, AN/ARW-88(V) radio items, and obsolescence management; funding and work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 13, 2021. Northrup Grumman Technical Services, Sierra Vista, AZ was awarded an $83,417,599 modification to contract W58RGZ-13-C-0010 for logistics support for the Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System; work will be performed in Sierra Vista and Afghanistan with an estimated completion date of Oct. 30, 2016. SAIC, McLean, VA, was awarded a $10,591,623 modification to contract W31P4Q-15-F-0007 for the Aviation Mission Planning System, Phase II software modifications; work will be performed in McLean with an estimated completion date of March 29, 2017. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, CT, was awarded an $88,117,272 modification to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0008 to exercise an option for eight UH-60M aircraft; work will be performed in Stratford with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2017.
Advertisers Index Advanced Turbine Engine Company .................................. 2 ALKAN ........................................................................... 33 CAE ................................................................................. 1 Coastal Seat Cushions, Inc. ............................................ 41 Columbia Helicopters, Inc. .............................................. 19 David Clark Company ..................................................... 15 Flight Safety International ................................................. 37 Intercoastal Electronics ................................................... 21 L-3 Wescam Communications ........................................ 11 Meggitt Defense Systems ................................................. 5 Navigator Development Group, Inc. ................................. 44 Phantom Products, Inc. .................................................. 45 Science and Engineering Services, SES, Inc. .................. 88 SKF USA. ...................................................................... 13 Streamlight Inc................................................................ 17 Telephonics Corporation ................................................... 7 Textron Aviation - Special Missions .................................... 9 USAA............................................................................. 39 Vinnell Arabia .................................................................. 23
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AAAA Awards
Order of St. Michael Recipients Gold
Dr. COL Hal Kushner, Ret.
Bronze
CW4 Peter E. Barr SFC Fred A. Osgood SFC Cody R. Seiber SFC Donald E. LaPolt CW4 Blain Fuller 1SG James M. Conway CPT David J. Behrmann CW4 George D. Gansel 1SG Derek J. Quackenbush CW3 Christopher A. Ryan CW4 Wayne R. Olin SFC William J. Graves MSG Thomas L. Mattingly MAJ Kyle L. Faudree CW3 Tommy L. Eaves, Ret. MAJ Travis H. Owen CW4 Brian M. Mushet CW5 Charles K. Woolley 1SG Jairo H. Lopera SFC Robert J. Zimmerman CW5 Daniel A. Cross CW4 Brett S. Chivers 1SG Ronnie G. Winberry Jr. CW5 Patrick A. Mueller CW4 Alberto Fraticelli MSG Bobby Willis SFC Eric D. Kahle LTC Hoby F. Cupp LTC Peter Velesky LTC Noma C. Martini LTC Chad H. Smith SFC Hector J. Heredia-Lopez SSG Derek K. Sharp, Ret. LTC Richard Gray CW5 Martin Adkins SGM Harry Comrey SFC Raymond A. Proietto CPT Nathan Smith MAJ Edward Speeckaert CW4 Timothy D. Wolshire CW4 Richard Hammond SSG Carl F. Hinton CW4 Jimmy E. McElhaney Jr. CW5 Bryon K. McCrary CW4 Edward C. Simmons 1SG Martin J. Cortese CW5 Jeffrey D. Starritt CW3 Jason D. Lami CW4 Chris Ezell MSG Michael W. Danielson CPT Robert K. Freyou
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
SFC Kelly G. Mooney CW3 Travis D. Hall Wilbert Early SGM Martin Moreno CPT Christopher Quinlan SFC Dean A. Hess COL Stephen D. Clift MSG Keith A. Caraway CW4 John W. Yearwood MAJ Damion M. Calvert CW4 Michael G. Rutledge 1SG Luis R. De Jesus COL Michael S. Oshiki LTC Kyle J. Burrow MSG John A. Dolan CW4 Paul D. Gardenhire CPT Steven P. Bane SSG Robert J. Prugh SSG Michael T. Hubbard MAJ Alissa A. McKaig CPT Nicole R. Bardwell SFC Santiago E. Ramirez 1SG Robert Graham III 1SG Miguel Q. Martinez 1SG Jose Rodriguez CW4 Daniel E. Barry CW4 Kyle D. Evarts 1SG Daniel Miller LTC Steven Moore, Ret. Sofia C. Bledsoe Wallace B. Newcomb COL Karl V. Stahlecker LTC Steven B. Traum George N. Wimpy CPT Jenny M. Gunderson CW3 David J. Zientek CW4 Christopher J. Lund CW3 Shane Burkhart CPT Jacob T. Rykken CPT Daniel L. Pechacek SFC Christopher Gilliland 1SG Matthew P. Wright SFC Edgard Gonzalez 1SG Michael Hermann CW3 Robert T. Henninger CW3 Charles E. Frey SFC Vito S. Dichristina SFC Michael J. Schantz COL Donna Kay Korycinski CW4 Thomas Latham MAJ Robert K. Beale CW4 Jason O. Dunnam CW4 Roger A. Blankenship CPT Nicholas G. Kanakis BG Sang Yoon Lee COL Bo Hyung Lee CW3 Zachary L. McDowell CW3 Cameron R. Nowell CW3 Jason Pike CPT Wesley C. Emery CW4 Jason W. McCormack CW3 Brandon A. Smith CSM James Johnson CW3 John L. Wilson CW4 Kristina Irving LTC David E. Cooper 1SG Adam J. Shifflett COL Mark K. McPherson SFC Keith E. Brittin CW4 Shawn N. Paris Scotty L. Ray
SSG Derek M. Czerniak February 2016 Flint Hills Chapter
Our Lady of Loreto Recipients Jennifer Cupp Charity Lent Sadie McCurry Veronica Velesky Amy M. McNish Nathele Anderson Natalie Smith Becky Johnson Theresa M. Washabaugh Tracey Anne Lake Teresa T. Traum
Soldier of the Month SPC Nicholas J. Cavanaugh March 2016 Mohawk Chapter SSG Charles R. Woodruff June 2016 Tarheel Chapter PFC Dylan A. Conklin March 2016 Bavaria PFC Ryan E. Pittman March 2016 Flint Hills Chapter SGT Nichaolas P. Dugan January 2016 Flint Hills Chapter SPC Cory M. Nystrom January 2016 Flint Hills Chapter SPC Monique S. Quezada February 2016 Flint Hills Chapter SPC Anotnio M. Massol May 2016 Tarheel Chapter
NCO of the Month SSG Nino C. Banzuela March 2016 Bavaria Chapter SSG Lucas E. Desmond April 2016 North Texas Chapter
SGT Bryant A. Moerno March 2016 Flint Hills Chapter SSG Brian F. Byrd June 2016 Mid-Atlantic Chapter SGT James K. Bolek March 2016 Mid-Atlantic Chapter SSG Michael S. Brenning February 2016 North Texas Chapter SGT Samuel D. Moore January 2016 North Texas Chapter SFC Thomas Cantu March 2016 North Texas Chapter SSG Steven R. Sykes May 2016 Ragin Cajun Chapter SSG Michael A. Downs January, February, March 2016 Mohawk Chapter SSG Christopher Billingsley April 2106 Ragin Cajun Chapter
DAC of the Month SSG Elena P. Hoesley May 2016 Colonial Virginia Chapter GS-9 Danny L. Weatherly May 2016 Colonial Virginia Chapter
May ACEs CW3 David J. Facio Bavarian Chapter SGT Michael Steven Pelegrin Flying Gator Chapter CW5 Dale K. Taylor, Ret. Wright Brothers Chapter
In Memoriam
MSG Warren E. Preston III CW4 Willard G. Turman, Ret.
Recognition is so important when people are doing a great job. Recognize your outstanding soldiers through our AAAA Awards program! Check out the Awards section on our AAAA website: quad-a.org
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People On The Move Aviation General Officer Assignments
Aviation General Officer Promotions
BG Laura Yeager was promoted to her current rank on May 31. Yeager, who flew Black Hawk helicopters and served as deputy commander of 40th Combat Aviation Brigade in Iraq, is one of two female generals serving in the California National Guard, and the fourth in California Guard history. She is currently serving as the Director of the Joint Staff, Office of the Adjutant General.
BG John R. Evans Jr., deputy commanding general, support, 2d Infantry Division, Combined, Eighth Army, Republic of Korea, to commanding general, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
BG Erik C. Peterson, commanding general, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to director, Army Aviation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, District of Columbia.
Promotions FY16 Lieutenant Colonel Army Competitive Category Selection Board Results The fiscal year 2017 LTC Army competitive category selection board results were released April 14, 2016. AAAA congratulates the following 71 Aviation majors on their selection. SEQ # NAME 0113 Ambrose, Lee E 0216 Angell, Brian Chris 0149 Armstrong, Curtis M *0466 Artino, Daniel S 0364 Athanasakis, Michael + 0012 Baldwin, Regan M 0262 Becki, Ralph L * 0140 Berlew, Adam Charle 0013 Berryhill, Joshua P 0183 Bogardus, Bryan Myl * 0391 Buack, Diosabelle T 0395 Buckner, Boyce Ryan 0250 Burkert, Ryan T 0043 Bustos, Michael Jos + 0409 Camarano, Adam S *
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
0285 Carlson, Eric David * 0195 Catalano, Timothy J 0283 Cook, Christopher J 0294 Corrigan, Chad Patr 0116 Dall, Nicholas Kyle 0148 Davis, Joshua Marti 0215 Dunning, Richard E 0370 Elliott, Mathew D 0251 Franz, John T 0256 Griffith, William J + 0310 Gunter, John R B 0299 Guthrie, Ryan Ann * 0115 Hale, Michael Benja * 0056 Hall, Mark D 0054 Harrell, Paul G 0230 Harris, Travis 0397 Haskin, Keith A * *046 Hummel, Brian M 0047 Hussey, Thomas Lind * 0411 Johnson, Jesse Ray * 0150 King, Jason A * 0263 Lane, Christopher C 0428 Lanzafama, Michael 0412 Lavalley, Jamie R * 0174 Lee, Chong Y 0293 Legaspi, Mark Antho 0261 McConnell, Jess * 0282 McKaig, Alissa A 0326 McKinney, Eric Daff 0340 Miller, John P III *
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MG Warren E. Phipps Jr., senior advisor to the Ministry of Defense U.S. Forces – Afghanistan, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Afghanistan, to deputy commanding general for operations; and chief of staff, Installation Management Command, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
U.S. ARMY PHOTO
The chief of staff, Army announced on April 14 the following aviation general officer assignments:
BG Joane Mathews’ daughters, Shannon and Lindsey, attach her shoulder boards reflecting her new rank during a formal promotion ceremony April 4 in the Senate Chamber of the Wisconsin state capitol building. Gov. Scott Walker promoted Mathews – the first Native American female to become a general officer in the entire Army National Guard – who will serve as the assistant adjutant general for readiness and training. She is both rotary and fixed wing rated.
0028 Miller, Mary Kather * 0376 Moreshead, Paul W 0241 Morton, Christopher * 0278 Nesrsta, Ryan C 0238 Parker, Matthew L 0237 Parrish, Brandon W * *0467 Ploetz, Nicholas J + 0146 Poquette, Jeffrey A 0179 Raub, Jason Scott + 0011 Ream, Theodore P 0382 Redding, Samuel L * 0220 Robinson, Guyton Le * 0145 Roder, Michael Paul 0184 Rosenberg, Jeffrey * 0300 Sandoval, Keith Pau 0255 Sarrette, David A J + 0284 Scher, Matthew J * 0252 Scullion, James H 0346 Severs, Joshua T + 0333 Smith, Stephen T + 0070 Snyder, Stephen Phi 0358 Vieux, Seth William * 0182 Weaver, Martin E * 0292 Wilde, Patrick Ryan * 0344 Wolfe, Matthew Stev * 0197 Wuensch, Paul Marce * BELOW ZONE * = AAAA Member + = Life Member
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FY 2016 Master Sergeant Army Competitive Category Selection Board Results The fiscal year 2016 Army master sergeant competitive category selection board results were released May 2, 2016.AAAA congratulations the following 100 Aviation sergeants first class on their selection. Seq # Name MOS 87 Alexander, Loshana Latoya 15Q 35 Allan, Daniel John * 15T 98 Alonso, Benjamin Allen 15T 96 Anderson, Jennifer Aileen 15P 38 Anderson, Njikoka Tarukeh 15T 76 Armstrong, Scott Lawrence 15U 101 Baird, Justin Leonard 15T 66 Barton, Jason Alan 15G 69 Becker, Ryan Eric + 15T 4 Bernard, Patrick 15U 47 Bertram, James Elliott 15P 51 Borchardt, James William 15P 102 Bowlen, Kevin Matthew 15B 52 Boyer, Leonard Calvin III 15T 63 Brooks, Duane Lee 15E
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People On The Move Awards
is given to graduates of the USMA whose character, distinguished service, and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.” Celebrating with Cody are his wife, Vicki; son, LTC Clint Cody and his wife, Kim; and grandson, Connor.
Cody Receives DGA
Aviation. Pictured are (l to r) MG (Ret.) Jim Kelly, West Point Alumni, Army Aviator and the guest speaker; BG (Ret.) Dennis Kerr, Black Knights Chapter President; Jaksha; and MG (Ret.) Tim Crosby AAAA National Treasurer. Brackin Named ROTC Cadet of the Year
GEN (Ret.) Richard A. Cody, former Army Vice Chief of Staff and a Master Army Aviator, received the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) during the Grad Week kick off May 17th on the Plain at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. The DGA
68 Browder, Michael Verne Arthu 15B 86 Bryant, Jason Michael 15E 95 Buzzard, Jeremy Wayne * 15P 53 Cadman, Robert Thompson + 15T 93 Cano, Holly Nicole 15P 62 Cash, Brian Mitchell * 15U 10 Casper, Brandon Russell 15Y 97 Castro, Michael Anthony * 15Y 91 Cauley, Jeffrey Allen 15B 59 Cayanan, Rolando Malig 15D 44 Chavezesquer, Rodolfo 15U 32 Dalton, Lee Anthony 15S 29 Danielsen, Ryan Alan * 15Q 24 Day, James Gregory 15S 43 Denote, Jason Paul 15U 12 Derk, Robert Kenneth 15U 61 Diaz, Diaz Ruy H 15U 85 Dine, Matthew Harvey 15N 49 Duerksen, Andrew Duane 15P 74 Duncan, Jason Michael 15E 72 Emmanuel, Camron 15B 90 Fisher, David Charles 15U 31 Frye, Christopher John 15T 19 Garant, Alan Gerard * 15R 18 Garcia, Benjamin 15U 56 Gentillon, Erland 15D 14 Gonzalez, Edgard * 15R 8 Guyette, Eugene Curtis 15G 70 Haight, Darik Allenbonnet 15U 60 Hodzic, Damir * 15T
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Cadet Clayton Jaksha, U.S. Military Academy Class of 2017, is honored as the AAAA USMA Cadet of the Year on May 6, 2016 at the West Point Ski Lodge during a Black Knights Chapter meeting and Send Off dinner for the cadets that are branching Army
88 Hoh, Jin Suk 15U 11 Horn, Robert Allen * 15D 67 Hughey, Demetrious Windell 15N 83 Hutchings, David Robert 15U 46 Jackson, Brice Aaronrichard 15P 7 Jones, Jimmie Lee Jr 15E 45 Jones, Richard Thomas 15T 54 Jones, Sean Alan 15R 58 Jones, Zebadiah Boone 15U 21 Journigan, James R.Jr * 15Y 81 Kahle, Eric Dallas * 15R 13 Macfarlane, Bryant David * 15Y 26 Marshall, Michael Randall Jr 15Q 89 McFarland, Brian 15U 57 Miller, Jayson Stephen 15T 82 Miller, Kevin James 15T 23 Neal, Chad Jeffery 15T 80 Nuuvali, Susie Sarah 15N 20 Ortiz, Jose Javier 15T 50 Pacheco, John Robert 15P 5 Parrish, Brian Matthew 15T 92 Payne, Micah Wayne * 15T 100 Perdock, Paul Adam 15T 28 Prestridge, Julia Isabel 15T 77 Ramosburgos, Pedro R 15U 9 Reichard, Ryan Christopher * 15S 79 Reid, Steven James * 15U 42 Rendell, Deon Edward 15P 55 Restolopez, Noel 15T 71 Reyes, Rolando Antonio 15F
COURTESY PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
CODY FAMILY PERSONAL PHOTO
Jaksha Named USMA Cadet of the Year
Cadet Collin Brackin is presented the 2016 AAAA ROTC Cadet of the Year Award by AAAA National Treasurer, MG (Ret.) Tim Crosby, during the May 7 Commissioning Ceremony at Shippensburg University in Oxford, PA. 2016 marks the 100 Anniversary of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps!
40 Reynolds, Jonathan William 15Y 30 Rickert, Angelo Valle 15F 39 Riddle, Joseph Hale * 15E 2 Riedel, Michael Evan 15R 78 Rihn, James Richard 15T 3 Ring, Preston Eli 15R 6 Riveramelendez, Freddy Gamal 15K 41rodriguez, Omar Augusto 15N 16 Ryan, Christian Tyrone 15T 73 Schad, Jason Michael 15T 22 Scott, Marcell Tywan * 15U 64 Seamon, Richard Scot 15T 75 Shoemaker, Wesley Curtis * 15T 36 Smith, Mark David 15T 25 Stallings, Daniel Earl 15G 99 Thomas, Matthew David 15G 84 Toribio, David 15G 65 Underwood, Leslie Alan 15E 17 Vonholtz, Sean Michael 15T 1 Weaver, Jaqua Mashon * 15R 15 White, Melissa Kaye 15U 33 Willis, Daniel Adam * 15T 94 Woods, Ralph Terry Jr 15W 27 Wright, Eric Dewayne * 15S 48 Young, Richard Douglas 15U * = AAAA Member + = Life Member
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FY17 Colonel/Lieutenant Colonel Army Competitive Category Centralized Selection List - Command and Key Billet The Army released, on Apr. 1, the names of the colonels/lieutenant colonels selected for command and key billets for FY 17. AAAA congratulates the following 53 aviation officers on their selection. COL Command/Key Billet LTC/P Black, Ronald Christian * LTC/P Braman, Matthew Wesley * COL Burke, Thomas Emmet * COL Chasteen, Chad Eric LTC/P Cole, Kenneth Christopher LTC/P Gallaway, William Scott * LTC/P Halter, Scott Michael LTC/P Harrington, Bernard John * LTC/P Hopkins, John Clinton * LTC/P Miller, Jason Lee * LTC/P Murphy, Stephen O’Neill * LTC/P Perry, Henry C.Jr * COL Walsh, Brian E LTC/P Watkins, Brian Todd * LTC/P Wilkinson, Scott D.+
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People On The Move LTC Command/Key Billet LTC Buss, Darren W LTC Clower, Stephen Lee MAJ/P Clyde, Christopher H. * MAJ/P Cody, Clinton Richard MAJ/P Cullinan, Brendan J. * LTC Davis, John Brian III * LTC Didier, Hannon Albert * LTC Easley, Jonathan A.+ LTC Fair, Frank J + MAJ/P Giordano, Anthony F * LTC Hudson, Anthony W. * LTC Hursey, Don P LTC Jaeger, Timothy R * LTC Johnson, Cayton L * LTC Johnson, Michael Scott * LTC Kendall, Ryan Calvin LTC Keown, Adam Reed LTC Landrum, Matthew A + LTC Lane, Shoshannah B MAJ/P Lewis, Nathan L * LTC Lockhart, Dennis Oneal LTC MacGregor, Kent Mead LTC Martin, Elizabeth Ann + MAJ/P McQuown, Glenn C.III LTC Miller, Jacob W * LTC Morgan, David William * LTC Morris, John Alvin III * LTC Mundell, Zachary Jared + LTC Nix, Cecil C IV LTC Rose, Timmy Lee * LTC Rowland, Matthew Lee MAJ/P Schwenn, Khirsten T. + LTC Scott, Walker W.III + MAJ/P Smith, Derek A LTC Smith, Randall Mack LTC Tiedeman, John Edward MAJ/P Wingeart, John D MAJ/P Woody, Bryan T
FY17 Colonel/GS15 and Lieutenant Colonel/GS-14 Product Manager Centralized Selection Lists On April 1, the Army released the names of the
Acquisition Corps colonels/ lieutenant colonels selected for product management command and key billets for FY 17. AAAA congratulates the following 10 aviation officers on their selection. COL PM LTC/P Fortier, Gregory Steven LTC/P Gonzalez, Hector A. LTC/P Mikesh, Robert John Jr LTC/P Sheppard, Talmadge C. * COL Varnadore, Marcus L. LTC PM LTC Allen, Cornelius L. Jr * LTC Herman, Joseph M * LTC Klarenbach, Robert Greg LTC Medaglia, Danielle R * MAJ/P Schmitt, John M.*
2016-17 Academic Year Senior Service College and Fellowship Program Selection Board The Army has released the names and schooling assignments for Army Competitive Category colonels and lieutenant colonels who will attend senior service colleges and SSC-level fellowship programs during the 2016-17 academic year. AAAA congratulates the following 26 aviators on their selection. LTC(P) Black, Ronald Christian * – Duke University LTC Chivers, Bryan James * – Army War College LTC Cochran, John Howard * – National War College
COL Cunningham, Gary Lee – Army War College COL Czehowski, Shawn Bryan * – Eisenhower School LTC Davis, John Patrick –Asia Pacific Center (HI) LTC(P) Donnelly, Robert Christoph * – Army War College LTC(P) Ferido, George Gragasin * – Navy War College LTC Garcia, Rogelio Javier – Army War College LTC Gardner, Whitney Benjamin * – Navy War College LTC(P) Harrington, Bernard John * – Army War College LTC Higgins, Joshua Patrick * – National War College LTC(P) Hopkins, John Clinton* –Notre Dame Univ. LTC Johnson, Mark Christian* – Army War College LTC Kappelmann, Mark Glenn+ – Army War College LTC Martin, Richard Alden * – ASLSP (FTLKS) LTC McFadden, Michael Sean* – Syracuse Univ. LTC(P) Miller, Jason Lee – Navy War College LTC Myers, Scott Andrew * – Army War College LTC Ott, Mark P * – Army War College LTC(P) Petty, Thomas Christopher * – Georgia Tech COL Pierce, Steven Mark * – Army War College LTC Smith, Kelsey Aaron * – Army War College COL Smith, Stuart S * – Australia LTC Then, Erich Robert* – CIA LTC Weinshel, Matthew Robert * – Duke Univ.
U.S. Military Academy Class of 2016 Aviation Branch The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2016 graduated and commissioned as second lieutenants into the U.S. Army May 21 at West Point, NY. AAAA congratulates the following 84 graduates who branched Army Aviation.
NAME/HOMETOWN Andrews, Benjamin Nolan, Daphne, AL Auten, Michael Robert, Hickory, NC Basnett, Jonathan Keith, Kennesaw, GA Basnight, Peter Lincoln Fairfax Station, VA Batina, Thomas Lawrence II Wayzata, MN Beck, Gabriel William Prossier, WA Bedo, Ian Francis, Bothell, WA Bell, Joshua Eric Whitsburg, TN Berkman, Thomas Eugene West Chester, PA Bilodeau, Steven Winston Greenville, ME Binkley, Chase Edward Lake Villa, IL Boorman, Reid James Bonners Ferry, ID Browning, Jacob Nicholas Hudson, OH Caid-Loos, Marissa Layne Houston, TX Camacho, Daniel Kevin Manassas, VA Chaney, Tyler Scott Newbury Park, CA Chenoweth, Grant Robert Rochester Hills, MI
Coleman, Samuel Allen Dallas, TX Connolly, Shane William * Warwick, NY Dailey, Kenneth Dean III, Riverton, UT Deets, Alexandra Tatiana * Wilmington, NC Duran, Jordan Danielle, O’Fallon, MO Finley, James Steven Jr. Las Vegas, NV Fritz, Anthony James Waterford, MI Funfrock, Ludovic Andre Jean, Colorado Springs, CO Geiger, John Nelson Barrington, IL Goodman, Daniel Joseph Wilmington, DE Gothard, Lowell Duncan * Fayetteville, NC Greif, Benjamin Ross + Los Angeles, CA Hager, Madison Gabriel Wayzata, MN Hall, Justin Lawrence * Sarasota, FL Hamming, Nathan William La Canada, CA Hargis, Cameron Jerome Corpus Christi, TX Hartford, Samuel Keith Melbourne, FL Harvey, John Michael Jr. Columbia, TN Haworth, James Daniel Corinth, MS Hill, David Kimmell Jr. Edmond, OK Hinkley, Ryan Christopher * Oviedo, FL Hinrichsen, Kyle William Congerville, IL Hoffinger, Patrick James * Moraga, CA Hogg, Aaron Patrick Leavenworth, KS Holder, Kathleen Hannah
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Stillwater, MN Hyde, Colby Miles Eagle, ID Idrache, Alix Schoelcher New Carrollton, MD Ives, Nicholas James Wheaton, IL Jaksha, Clayton Bernard * San Diego, CA Kane, Andrew William, Cumming, GA Kim, Isaac Hendrik, Oberlin, OH Korzan, Kristopher Michael Camarillo, CA Kushnak, Michael Regis, Fort Collins, CO Leonard, Zachary Shea Philomath, OR Lynch, Timothy James Mendham, NJ Madza, Afa, Comstock Park, MI Malcolm, John David, Marietta, GA McCormick, Daniel Harrison, Berwyn, PA McFadden, Michael Brian, Harvest, AL Miller, Chase Alan, Lasalle, IL Naifeh, Timothy Clark II, Tiptonville, TN Palowitch, Brendon Jayce, Martinez, GA Parker, Regina Frances, Picut Chapel Hill, NC Pieringer, Nathaniel Barnes, Ligonier, PA Pilkington, Andrew Donald Golden, CO Raimondi, Michael Seymour, TN Read, Spencer Bennett * Davie, FL Reece, Justin Scott Greensboro, NC Reisweber, Natalie Ann Edmond, OK Ritchie, Thomas Alexander III Tulsa, OK Sellers, Tommy Lee III Bellevue, NE Senft, Jack David, Cheshire, CT Smart, Derek James, Clovis, CA Strobehn, Alyssa Breanne, West Valley, UT Swiniarski, Steven Edward II Plymouth, MA Tetro, Jeremy Paul, Live Oak, TX Valencia, Raoul Nolan, Brooklyn, NY Walsh, John Patrick, Saratoga Springs, NY Warfield, Kaeleigh Cherith Mason, OH Watson, William Mark II * Tampa, FL Waugh, Alexander Cameron, Leavenworth, KS
Williams, David Henry Jr. , Dana Point, CA Wulff, Brian Raymond, Batavia, IL Yi, Si Hyun * Harker Heights, TX Yoon, Andrew Dae Kwon Garden Grove, CA Zeidler, Peter Robert Milwauke, IL Zeigler, Christopher Ray Fairland, IN
FY17 CSM and SGM Key Billet Selection Board Results On Apr. 21, the Army released the names and projected command sergeant major and sergeant major key billet assignments. AAAA congratulations the 27 Aviation senior noncommissioned officers on their selection. BDE CSM Slate 2017 CSM Gonzalez, Gerardo 128 Avn Bde (Ft Eustis) * CSM Williams, Antoine Diego 1 Avn Bde (Ft Rucker) SGM Book, Marty Holmes 4 ID CAB (Ft Carson) + CSM Brock, Mark Garrett 16 CAB (JB Lewis-Mcchord) * CSM Clavon, Terri 3 ID CAB (Hunter AAF) * CSM Hall, James Thomas 1AD CAB (Ft Bliss) * CSM Harris, Rodney Wade 25 CAB (Schofield Brks HI) * SGM Marrerobaez, David 82 CAB (Ft Bragg) BN CSM Slate 2017 MSG Brooks, Bernard Jr 12 Avn Bn (Ft Belvoir) MSG Carithers, Shannon Mark 1-228 GSAB (Honduras) MSG Decletlopez, Francisco J 1-145 Avn Bn (Ft Rucker) SGM Keller, John Andrew 2-13 Avn Bn (Ft Huachuca) * MSG Ackerman, George Thomas 96 ASB (Ft Campbell) MSG(P) Baker, Mark Bryan 2-17 Cav (Ft Campbell) MSG Blomberg, Brian Scott 603 ASB (Hunter AAF) MSG Bryan, Joshua Michael 1-6 Cav (Ft Riley) MSG Calamese, Rodney Eugene 1-214 Avn Bn (Mannheim Ge) * SGM Coffee, Ross Edwin 3-17 Cav (Hunter AAF)
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
u Editor’s Mailbox We encourage you to send your comments and suggestions to editor@quad-a. org. Submissions should be exclusive to ARMY AVIATION – we do not publish open letters or third-party letters. Submissions should be 150 to 175 words, should refer to an article that has appeared in the current or most previous issue, and must include the writer’s name, address, email address, and phone numbers. No attachments, please. We regret that because of the volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge unpublished letters other than by an automated e-mail reply. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified within a week. Letters may be edited and shortened for space Joe Pisano, Editor
Incorrect Aircraft ID’d in Crash April 6, 2016 Mr. Pisano, Not sure if you’ve received notes about it already but the TF ODIN crash mentioned on page 6 [March 31, 2016 issue] was not an RC-12. It was a King Air 300 (one of the QRC King Airs acquired for TF ODIN). I’m disappointed that the investigation report didn’t clarify this either... Needless to say many of us in Army FW were surprised that such a glaring mistake was made in the official report. Thanks for your time. Regards, CPT Joshua Castillo April 7, 2016 Gentlemen, Please check the facts prior to posting something as important as a fatal accident in your Briefing announcements. The task Force ODIN crash was not a RC-12 Guardrail as noted or pictured in your article. The aircraft was in fact a KA-300 aircraft, tail number 914EA which I delivered to Afghanistan in 2010. I’m certain the Guardrail community does not appreciate the negative press and there is no excuse for this error two years after the accident. CW3 Darin A Skopek
The information concerning the aircraft type involved in the 2014 accident was obtained from the accident report released by U.S. Army CENTCOM in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. LTG Joseph Anderson then deputy commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, states in his cover memo the aircraft was an RC-12, a reference repeated in the report. A later check with the Combat Readiness Center confirms it in their database as a KA-300 but not able to determine if it was the derivative RC/MC platform. Joe Pisano, Editor
SGM Coolbaugh, Christopher Lee 2-158 Avn Bn (JB LewisMcchord) * MSG Crowley, Jayson Lynn 3-501 AHB (Ft Bliss) MSG(P) Cruzortiz, Jose Antonio 601 ASB (Ft Riley) MSG Griswold, Jon David 5-101 AHB (Ft Campbell) *
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MSG Hale, Thomas Floyd 2916 Avn Bn (Ft Irwin) * CSM Hartmann, Steven Jeffrey 4-6 Cav (JB LewisMcchord) * ARSOA CSM Slate 2017 CSM Webb, Billy Don 160th SOAR(A) 10-Jun-17
CSM Armstrong, Robert 4-160th SOAR(A) 10-Jun-17 * CSM Hutchings, Paul George 2-160th SOAR(A) 10-Jun-17 * = AAAA Member + = Life Member
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People On The Move Flight School Graduates
AAAA congratulates the following officers graduating from the Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) courses at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker, AL.
ALL PHOTOS U.S. ARMY PHOTO, FORT RUCKER PUBLIC AFFAIRS
AAAA provides standard aviator wings to all graduates and sterling silver aviator wings to the distiguished graduates of each flight class ... another example of AAAA’s SUPPORT for the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family.
IERW Class 16-12
32 Officers, April 14 ABOLC 16-12 LT Daniel Cate * – DG LT Derek Brown * – HG LT Jacob Howell – HG LT Daniel Murphy * – HG LT Michael Buhl LT Brandon Clayton * LT Katherine Collins LT Ryan Eckerson * LT Scott Genz LT Dietrich Henckel * LT Erik Houston * LT Kevin Keyes * LT Michael Lesmeister LT Timothy Mapley LT Andrew Pribble LT Peter Schulcz LT Christopher Welker AWOBC 16-12 WO1 Jerad Tullis * – DG WO1 Jared LaBere – HG WO1 Drake Woodside – HG WO1 Joseph Arion WO1 Stephen Bradny WO1 Travis Brown WO1 Donald Distler WO1 Brenden Enns WO1 Nathaniel Hedden WO1 Jonathan James WO1 Michael Padiong WO1 Andrew Riggs WO1 Thomas Swanson WO1 Robert Thelen
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IERW Class 16-12
IERW Class 16-12
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32 Officers, April 28 ABOLC 16-13 LT Michael Williams – DG LT Aaron Briscoe – HG LT Theodore Ivanco * – HG LT John St. Pierre – HG LT Donald Apelo LT John Bovenzi LT Courtney Brungardt LT Domenic Casinelli LT Ashley Hendrickson * LT Zachary Horovitz LT McKenzie Hudgins LT Aaron Leopold * LT Daniel Millard LT James Murphy * LT William Novak LT Pierce Roberts LT Andrew Slade LT Dana Spinks AWOBC 16-13 WO1 Craig Sanchez – DG CW2 Lindsey Kanno – HG WO1 Trisha Baker * WO1 Michael Carty * WO1 Joseph Collette WO1 Austin Fillion WO1 Daniel Gonzalez WO1 Arthur Hinaman WO1 David Hottinger WO1 Davon Jackson WO1 Carl Mendoza WO1 Aaron Pacholk WO1 Michael Pendley WO1 Mark Sills * 22 Officers, May 12 ABOLC 16-14 LT Stephen Smallwood * – DG LT Brian Bolibrzuch * – HG LT David Chesnut – HG LT Jarvis Coburn LT Timothy Dore LT Eric Escobedo * LT Dane Fairbourn LT Kaitlin Lafferty * LT Pete LaKoff LT Robert Lawrenz LT Peter Marx * LT Brendan Meehan LT Darim Nessler LT Jacob Olson LT Julia Steines-Berkemeier * LT Brian Zordell AWOBC 16-14 WO1 Jorge Cabriales – DG WO1 Tyketon Barger WO1 Colin Bucko * WO1 Katherine Joy WO1 Brendan Lucas * WO1 Clifford Paulenka 30 Officers, May 26 ABOLC 16-15 LT Joshua Smith – DG LT Alexander Carrier – HG LT Thomas Fritz * – HG LT Michael Brewer
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ALL PHOTOS U.S. ARMY PHOTO, FORT RUCKER PUBLIC AFFAIRS
People On The Move
IERW Class 16-13
IERW Class 16-14
IERW Class 16-15 LT Steven Brown * LT Paul Cobo LT Samuel Forrer LT Jacob Gleason LT Elizabeth Horney LT Lewis Howard LT Jair Mayorga LT Christopher Mite-Bolanos LT Bryce Thompson LT Charles Tobin LT Roberta Woronowicz
AWOBC 16-15 WO1 Josey Chambers – DG WO1 Zachary Lundgren * – HG WO1 Richard Oglesby – HG WO1 Jeremy Benford WO1 Sean Cazzell WO1 Garnett Crosswhite WO1 Alex Demetrides WO1 Clinton Giglio WO1 Randy Grayson WO1 Norman Hall
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WO1 Jonathan Myers WO1 Keith Norman WO1 Antonio Nunez WO1 Konstantin Shevnin WO1 Ryan Williams DG = Distinguished Graduate HG = Honor Graduate * = AAAA Member + = Life Member
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People On The Move ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL TRAINING (AIT) GRADUATIONS AAAA congratulates the following Army graduates of the indicated Advanced Individual Training (AIT) courses at the 128th Aviation Brigade, Joint Base LangleyEustis, VA. AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer (15R) Class 010-16 PVT Camp, Robert P. III – DG PVT Hinton, Dalton R. – HG PV2 Brookes, Brandon A. PVT Bean, Atavian R. PVT Blake, Clinton T. PV2 Jimenez, Daniel A. PVT Fletcher, Gerald D. Jr. PVT Aguon, Daryl David G. PVT Henthorn, Damon L. PFC Brewer, Christian A. PVT Alvarado, Ray R. Jr. Class 204-16 SPC Yap, Kenneth Francis Wei Haan – DG SPC Lang, Han – HG SPC Lee, Wookil SPC Parker, Jerome D. II PFC Travis, Riley R. PV2 Sampson, Clint A. PVT Rodriguez, Ricardo N. Jr. PFC Pazienza, Michael J. PVT Reyes, Noel E. Class 011-16 PFC Elisha, Mansor J. – DG PVT Stewart, James E. – HG SPC McNamara, Christopher
PVT Seiler, Emma L. SPC Akonjuen, Elvis Tabe SPC Fortner, Jonathan M. PVT Demarino, Bailey R. PVT Nez, Seth L. PVT Summerhill, Matthew T . Class 012-16 PV2 Baird, Eric James – DG PV2 Fish, Andrew M. – HG PV2 Bullard, Robert Donald PFC Carpen, Christina Latchmi PVT Green, Jamahl M. PV2 Griffiths, Shane Craigh PFC Gurung, Sajan PFC Lord. Toby James PV2 Morgan, Renee J. PV2 Stewart, Jaylon Desean PV2 Workman, Austin Darrell UH-60 Helicopter Repairer (15T) Class 013-16 PFC Sara Vasseur – DG Class 014-16 PV2 Alexander Wilson – DG PVT Peter Thach – HG SPC Brett Bailey SPC Matthew Brady PV2 James Gale PFC Jacob Holiday SPC Anthony Ligas SGT Joseph Linville PV2 James McKenzie PFC James Perdue PVT Michael Weegens Class 015-16 SPC Julian G. Quintero – DG PV2 Krischan Guerra – HG PV2 William Binkley SGT Clifton Brown Jr. PFC Dorian Cain PFC Daniel H. Munoz
PV2 Almir Husanovic PV2 Joshua Inman PV2 Alexander Morehead PVT Robert Reynolds SPC Kereca Thompson PFC Meidan Wang Class 016-16 PV2 Randall Baker, Jr. – DG PV2 Jayson Boren – HG SPC Hunter Abbott PV2 Matthew Ashbrook SSG Travis Coleman PFC Christopher Cox PV2 Stanley Crawford, IV PV2 Luis Montoya PV2 Oluwaseyi Ogundumila PFC Brantly Reffitt PV2 Alex White PV2 Kyle Yocius Class 017-16 PV2 Chadwick Smedley – DG PFC Joshua Stephenson – HG PV2 Jarhett Benzel PV2 Jeffrey Blackard Pv1 Daniel Chowhale Pv1 Maurice Gattis PV2 Jeffery Mahoney III SPC John Orr PV2 Matthew Patterson PV2 Christian Stornello PV2 Blaine Sutton PV2 Steven Young Jr. Class 018-16 PV2 Thomas Hollenberger – DG PFC Matthew Miller – HG PV2 Jeffrey Barbour PV2 Drake Biggers PV2 Rafal Deby PFC Kyle Echevarria PFC Dustin McDaniel PV2 Christopher Roth Jr.
Class 019-16 SPC Daniel Bourque – DG PV2 Marcus Campbell Jr. – HG PV2 Ryan Barton PV2 Kyle Brown PV2 Joseph Collins Pv1 Daniel Cooper PV2 Cededric Harrold SGT Joshua Hernandez SGT Erick Hicks PFC Timothy Hostetler PV2 Alexa Hunt PV2 Hunter Johns Class 020-16 PV2 Nathan MacDonald – DG PV2 Devin Mozden – HG PVT Christopher Collins PV2 Dereck Johnston PV2 Nathanael King PV2 Keith Maclean PV2 Benjamin Mobley PFC Mitchell Ripple PV2 James Rivas PV2 Jeremy Sherman PV2 Brandon Southerland CH-47 Medium Helicopter Repairer (15U) Class 005-16 PFC Sebastian Groff – DG PV2 Guy Allis, IV – HG PV2 Cody Blair PV2 Joseph Bohn SPC Brian Burks SPC Eric Flecharivera SPC Sean Hauzer PV2 Jacob Kummer PV2 Christopher Nance PV2 Connor Parker PV2 Benjamin Rose SPC Bikky Shrestha Class 503-16 PV2 Timothy Stasiek – DG
PV2 Ace Marxen – HG PV2 Quinton Dobbs PFC Branly Fernandez PV2 Humberto Garza PV2 Sabrina Haman PV2 Tyrone Key PV2 William Kitchens PV2 Corey Nash PV2 Johnathan Snow PV2 Samuel Wightman Class 006-16 SPC Ritesh Sharma – DG PFC Taylor Zale – HG PV2 Benjamin Davis PV2 Daniel Delorenzo PV2 Alan Forest PVT Jeffrey Foti, Jr. PV2 Jeremiah Pyle PV2 Ty Sandy PV2 Andrew Williams Class 007-16 PV2 Joseph Kimbro – DG PFC Max Bennun – HG PFC Austin Anderle PFC Ryan Bell SGT John Franczak PV2 Mario Plascenciamacias PV2 James Schmidt Aircraft Powerplant Repairer (15B) Class 003-16 PFC Shanon K. Sison – DG PVT Thomas C. Martinez – HG SPC Anthony F. Ariola Jr. PV2 Justin W. Billigsley PV2 Andrew T. Griffin PV2 Kenneth J. Lafreniere Jr. Aircraft Powertrain Repairer (15D) Class 002-16 PFC Bradley C. Ward – DG
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People On The Move PFC Cesar A. Caceres – HG SPC Troy B. Arguelles PVT Desmond J. Clevinger PV2 Steven Cloutier SPC Masahn L. Goldwire PFC Adam J. Hamilton PVT Hunter R. Knight PVT Ricky N. Lopez Jr. PVT Reece P. Salamun PFC Jonathan E. Taylor PVT Peter Vasquez PFC Brian W. Wade PFC James A. Whitt Aircraft Electrician (15F) Class 803-16 PVT Skyler T. Cantrell – DG PFC Craig G. Singleton – HG PVT Alec D. Babcock PVT Lee H. Broadway III PV2 Marcus A. Gabaldon PVT Nadine A. Gallero SPC Michael C. Hahe PV2 Justin N. Turner Class 804-16 PVT Brian R. Cathey – DG PVT James W. Bono IV – HG PVT Devon L. Cronover PVT Jesse J. Hollett PV2 Jordan R. Parker Aircraft Structural Repairer (15G) Class 004-16 PVT Isaac N. Gomez – DG PFC Timothy Brice – HG PVT Ashley M. Cotto SPC Joel D. Imel PVT Koltan J. Monieth SPC Yembe Pemwoyalesly PVT John J. Prieto PV2 Jeremy Prieto PVT Cody J. Stophel PVT Justin A. Wilson Aircraft Pneudraulics Repairer (15H) Class 003-16 PV2 Dillon M. Holcombe – DG PFC Matthew Johnson – HG PVT Christopher J. Bressler PVT Khalil T. James PFC Carl D. Majak PVT Nicholas A. Nelson PVT Thomas M. Owens PVT Luis A. Soberanis Jr. Class 004-16 PVT Isaiah C. Taylor – DG PV2 Matthew Hartvigsen – HG PVT Dustin J. Decker SPC John Lewis Guthridge
PVT Jordan J. Jarrett PV2 Jacob C. Krier PFC Yoshiyah A. McKay PVT Gerson Danilo Paniaguamorales SGT John P. Pickering PVT Dwight A. Williams II Avionics Mechanic (15N) Class 801-16 PFC Damien D. Binda – DG PFC Emanuel Floyd III – HG PV2 Albry R. Crumpton PV2 Christian J. Fox PVT Marisol Gameros PVT Johncezar D. Gonzales PVT Marisa White Class 802-16 PVT Zachary T. Aines PV2 Anthony R. Hollins Jr. SPC Luke T. Johnson PVT Rolando R. Morejonalejo PV2 Brett T. Rush PV2 Rondel E. York Class 826-16 PV2 Nicolas Martinez – DG PV2 Jakob Booth – HG PV2 Chase Bexten PVT Christopher Collison PVT Cody Davidson PV2 Taren Kinnel PVT Brandon McFarland PV2 Jordan Redic Class 827-16 PVT Matthew Moran – DG PV2 Derek Peterson – HG PV2 Nicholas Scheiffele PVT Jacob Swisher PVT Aaron Thierry PV2 Daniel Torres
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) GRADUATIONS TUAS OPERATIONS TECHNICIAN AAAA congratulates the following Army graduates of the Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Technician Course, MOS 150U, at Fort Huachuca, AZ. 7 Graduates, May 13 WO1 Steven W. Dixon – DHG CW3 Tomas M. Castro CW2 William E. Stafford WO1 Benson F.Johnston WO1 Aaron S. Krabbe WO1 Ruben P. Miller WO1 Christopher L. Raynor
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
UAS OPERATOR AAAA congratulates the following graduates of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator Course, MOS 15W, at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Gray Eagle UAS Operator Course 14 Graduates, May 5 PV2 Austin P. Arnold – HG SPC Jakeb A. Fry – HG PFC Ethan C. Oliver – HG SPC Derrick E. Heffron PFC Lukas C. Baker PFC Eleazar Gonzalez PFC Aron M. Schuller PFC Ethan C.White PV2 Andrew R.Conklin PV2 Devon A.Courtney PV2 Brandon A. Pablo PV2 David A. Redinbo PV2 Colton S. Sexton PV2 Hailey Y. Shatteen
UAS REPAIRER AAAA congratulates the following Army graduates of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer Course, MOS 15E, at Fort Huachuca, AZ.
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Army Aviation History
Shadow UAS Repairer Course 9 Graduates, May 10 SPC Wayne E. Guidotti SPC Julie R. Rahr SPC Jesse S. Wooley PV2 Alexus G. Alejo PV2 Zachary R. Beale PV2 Blake A. Meling PV2 Alec Ortiz PV2 Dalton R. Robbins PV2 Ryan E. Web Shadow UAS Repairer Course 13 Graduates, May 30 SPC Cody E. Jiron – HG PVT Jordan M. Rice – HG SGT Brian D. Jackson SPC Nicholas B. Windsor PFC Joseph J. Fruean PV2 Alejandro J. Alaniz PV2 Ryan M. Albright PV2 Jonathan L. Hilliard PV2 Tyler E. Linn PV2 Christian P. Mbeche PV2 Jordan P. Santimaw PV2 Lenell A. Stewart PV2 Robert A. Taggart DG = Distinguished Honor Graduate HG = Honor Graduate
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June 30, 2016
Art’s
Attic
By Mark Albertson
Art’s Attic is a look back each month 25 years ago and 50 years ago to see what was going on in ARMY AVIATION Magazine. Art Kesten was our founder and first publisher from 1953 to 1987. He was also the founder of the AAAA in 1957 and served as its Executive Vice President. Each month contributing editor Mark Albertson selects a few key items from each historic issue. The cartoon, right, was done back in 1953 by LT Joe Gayhart, a friend of Art’s and an Army Aviator, showing the chaos of his apartment-office in New York City where it all began.
50 Years Ago
25 Years Ago
June 1966
June 1991
Remembering BG Carl I. Hutton I am sorry to report the death of BG Carl I. Hutton. Carl passed on June 15 following a prolonged illness. He was interred with military honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California. BG Hutton will long be remembered as one who contributed new thoughts and ideas to improve the combat effectiveness of the Army. He was one of the early promoters of the helicopter as a firing platform. [The above obituary is based on a letter contributed by MG Ernest F. Easterbrook.]
Briefings: General Gordon Sullivan, Army Chief of Staff designee, has selected CSM Richard Kidd, 47, as the next Sergeant Major of the Army. CSM Kidd, currently assigned to I Corps, will replace SMA Julius “Bill” Gates, who is retiring June 30, 1991, after a career of more than 33 years. CSM Kidd is a graduate of the Sergeants Major Academy, Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course and Airborne School. He put in two combat tours in Vietnam, 1966-67 and 1970-71. Among his decorations are the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachute Badge, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with Palm). . .
Fail-Safe At Fort Wolters, Texas, a captive training device is in use. A helicopter mounted on a ground effects machine (GEM), AKA Whirlymite, is shown hovering from the ground. The contraption enables a student to practice all manner of in-flight maneuver, safely. A test group of 100 candidates—without previous flying experience—are receiving three hours of Whirlymite instruction.
“Desert Challenge,” by LTC John R. Penman The 8th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, deployed from Germany to Saudi Arabia, September 1990. The 8th was attached to the 507th Corps Support Group, 1st COSCOM, to provide doctrinal corps-level Aviation Intermediate Maintenance support to XVIII Airborne Corps. By April 1991, the 8th Battalion had… processed over 14,000 work orders and 33,000 spare parts requests. Performed 57 aircraft recoveries, eleven of these in hostile territory, including the first enemy aircraft, an Mi-8 Hip and an Mi-24 Hind. The 8th logged 215,250 man-days without serious personal injury.
Instructors Needed U.S. Army Transportation School, Fort Eustis, Virginia, is in need of instructors in the field of Aircraft Maintenance. Instructors will broach the following technical subjects: Maintenance Publications; Propeller and Rotor Maintenance; Maintenance Management; Propulsion Systems Maintenance; Electrical Systems; Rotary Wing Maintenance and Airframe and Equipment Maintenance. Three years practical experience or training in one of the above subjects is required for training level positions.
74 Years Ago, June 6, 1942 Army Aviation was formed – Happy 74th!
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Army Aviation
Hall of Fame First Lieutenant Gerald D. Green The Army Aviation Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Army Aviation Association of America, Inc., recognizes those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Army Aviation.
The actual Hall of Fame is located in the Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker, Ala.
The deadline for nominations for the 2018 induction is June 1, 2017
Contact the AAAA National Office for details and nomination forms at (203) 268-2450 or visit www.quad-a.org
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
Army Aviation Hall of Fame 2001 Induction Then CW2 Gerald D. “Gary” Green became the hero of heroes during more than 1,600 combat missions in Vietnam. Among his 81 awards are the Distinguished Service Cross, three Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Purple Heart Medals. His extraordinary feel for the battlefield and rare understanding of the enemy gave him unmatched ability to locate, kill or capture the enemy, and acquire key information. His creed was attack, attack, attack. He repeatedly returned from missions with a prisoner, backpacks of enemy he had killed or other crucial information. He was shot down seven times – five in a Cobra and two in a Scout. On one occasion he located a 122 millimeter artillery battery, drove the enemy from their guns and kept them under fire while his gunner disabled the artillery pieces with thermite grenades. On another mission he found and followed a wire line and discovered a major enemy headquarters in an area where no activity had previously been reported. He later discovered a cave which he suspected held supplies. Using a thermite grenade, he blew up this large ammunition supply point, taking the side of a mountain with it. Five times he landed in the face of an attacking enemy to rescue downed air crews. He lifted the wounded out strapped and clinging to his Cobra rocket pods. In another instance, although seriously wounded, he pulled his unconscious gunner from his crashed OH-6 and dragged him along a jungle trail to a rescue helicopter while fighting off an enemy platoon. During this running fire fight he killed eight of the pursuing enemy with grenades and his rifle. Exhausted and again wounded by a “punji stake” that completely penetrated his left foot, he boosted his still unconscious gunner into the helicopter and then covered its departure with grenades and rifle fire. He twice extended his Vietnam tour. His daring and skill made him an inspiration to his fellow pilots and the heart and soul of his unit. His exploits were legendary in the 101st Airborne Division. Wounds required his evacuation and eventually the loss of his right leg. While hospitalized he was commissioned 1LT and later retired. He was killed April 30, 2000 when his gyrocopter exploded during flight.
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