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October 31, 2022

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine
19-G30-02

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October 31, 2022

22

Contents
October 31, 2022, Vol. 71, No. 1 0
10

TO THE FIELD
10

Army Aviation Branch Chief's Corner
By MG Michael C. McCurry II

14

14

AMCOM Commander Update
By MG Thomas W. O’Connor, Jr.
		
18
Aviation Branch Maintenance Officer Update		
By CW5 Patrick O’Neill

22

AMCOM Command Sergeant Major Update
By CSM Bradford L. Smith

26

Combat Readiness Center Update
By LTC Sean O’Connell

		28
Reserve Component Aviation Update
		By COL Lindsey Halter		30
128th Aviation Brigade Update
		By CW4 Abe Garcia
26

32

CCDC AVMC Tech Talk
Dr. Thomas L. Thompson

34		Ask the Flight Surgeon

By LTC (Dr.) Emily A. Simmons

SPECIAL FOCUS — Aviation Maintenance/

Sustainment

36
36
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

AMCOM Adds Advanced Manufacturing To Its Sustainment 		
Toolbox
By Lisa Hunter			3

October 31, 2022

Contents
October 31, 2022, Vol. 71, No. 1 0
40

SPECIAL FOCUS – Aviation Support

46

40

Developing and Delivering Relevant Enabling Capabilities 		
Focused on the Future Fight
By COL Burr Miller

46

MOSA – The Army Aviation Modernization Moon Shot
By Mr. Matt Sipe

SPECIAL FOCUS – National Functional Awards
48

2022 Army Aviation Association of America National
Functional Award Winners

FROM THE FIELD

55

52

From Concept to Reality: FARA Ecosystem Experimentation
at the Tactical EDGE
By LTC Tanner Spry55

AAAA Aircraft Survivability Equipment Symposium is Back
By CW4 Joe Pisano, U.S. Army Retired

DEPARTMENTS

63

68

AAAA NEWSAAAA President’s Cockpit......................................................................................................8
AAAA VP Chapter Affairs.....................................................................................................62
Chapter News ......................................................................................................................63
AAAA VP Membership.........................................................................................................66
New Members..................................................................................................................... 67
AAAA Family Forum...............................................................................................................68
AAAA Legislative Report...................................................................................................... 70
AAAA Scholarship Foundation..........................................................................................60
ARMY AVIATION COMMUNITY NEWS
Advertisers Index..................................................................................................................... 71
Art’s Attic..................................................................................................................................... 78
Briefings.........................................................................................................................................6
Enlisted Soldier Spotlight.....................................................................................................24
Hall of Fame............................................................................................................................... 79
Historical Perspective........................................................................................................... 57
Industry News............................................................................................................................ 71
People on the Move.............................................................................................................. 73

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: aaaa@quad-a.org. Army Aviation Magazine E-Mail: magazine@quad-a.org. 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.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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October 31, 2022

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Briefingsu
Briefings

and forupdates.
Visit articles
our website
additional
articles and updates.

Dr. William A. LaPlante wassworn in as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment(USD(A&S)) on April 7, 2022.
He is responsible for all matters pertaining to acquisition; contract administration; logistics and materiel readiness; installations and environment;
operational energy; chemical and biologicaldefense; the acquisition workforce; and the deGEN James E. Rainey was promoted to his
fense industrial base. Prior to this appointment,
present rank and took command of Army
he served as the Senate-confirmed Assistant
Futures Command in Austin, TX, during
Secretaryof thefor Acquisition,
Tech- inceremonies
atAir
theForce
LBJ Presidential
Library
nology,and
Logistics
from
2014
to
2017.
Austin, Texas, on Oct. 4, 2022. He replaces

provided by the advertiser.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

On The Cover
On The CoverARMY AVIATION Magazine

6

May 31 2022

U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY CPT JOE LEGROS

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SPC TYLER BROCK

DODPHOTO
PHOTO
U.S. ARMY FUTURES COMMAND
U.S. ARMY PHOTO

ARMYAVIATIONmagazine.com
ARMYAVIATIONmagazine.com

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See page 72 for other Aviation General
Any questions? Call 203 268-2450.
Officer changes.
6
October 31, 2022
DOD GRAPHIC

Debbie Coley
Jackie Harris
Editorial
Address
Elisabeth Mansson
593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806
Tel: (203) 268-2450
Fax: (203) 268-5870
Editorial/Address
593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806
Tel: (203)/ Fax:
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Visit268-2450
our website
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additional

Safety,Authorizes
chaired by former Army Vice-Chief
DoD
of Staff, GEN of(Ret.)
Richard Cody,
Shipment
BreastMilkwhichrecommendedasa Travelto provide a dedicated focus
on operational safety challenges, as well as
Accommodation

DOD PHOTO

DeputyDirector ofManager
Advertising& Exhibit
Sales
Advertising/ ErikaBurgess
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erika@quad-a.org
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Circulation Department
Director Data
DebServices
Cavallaro/ Ben Marini
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Debbie Coley
JackieDepartment
HarrisCirculation
Elisabeth
ManssonDeb Cavallaro

Rainey Takes
LaPlante
SwornCommand
In asof AFCUSD(A&S)

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

Founders /Art and Dotty Kesten
Founders /Art and Dotty Kesten
Publisher / William R. Harris Jr.
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Editor / CW4 (Ret.) Joseph L. Pisano Sr.
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MOSARC™ AVIONICS BENEFITS• Field new technology faster• Accommodate budget pressure• Break vendor locku President’s Cockpit

Getting Back in the Saddle!

O

ne AAAA national
event down withtwo more to go before
the end of the calendar
year.
By all measures the September 11-13,
2022 Aircraft Survivability Equipment
Symposium in Lexington, KY wasa great success. From the over 400
attendees and the outstanding awardees
and families, to the terrific industry
partner support in the exhibit hall, wewere very fortunate indeed to have sucha record-breaking event considering we
had not held one since 2019! See page
55 for more details and photos. All
that said, I feel I owe the attendees anapology because we just did not haveenough seats… a good problem tohave, and we vow to do better.
Now our focus shifts to Huntsville,
Alabama. As we move to our next event,the AAAA Cribbins Army Aviation
Readiness Conference next month, I
would like to highlight our vision forthis ever evolving event begun by Joe
himself along with COL Don Luce andPaul Hendrickson. They started thisevent in 1973 in St. Louis. Cribbins isreally a mini AAAA Annual Summit
six months out of phase from the April
Summit itself. Although it will always
feature acquisition and sustainment
elements, it has now matured to include
the total aviation enterprise. Led by the
Army Aviation Branch Chief and othermembers of the six pack plus one, theCribbins Readiness Conference will give
you a broad picture of the state of the
Branch with the opportunity to visit with
key PMs and leaders in the previously
mentioned Acquisition and Sustainment
communities as well. Capping it all
off on Tuesday evening, November
15, 2022 will be our first Annual
AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc.,(AAAASFI) Dinner Concert which willfeature outstanding Country recording
artist Michael Ray! Don’t miss this great
opportunity to support the AAAASFIand have a wonderful time doing it. By
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

MG K. Todd Royar is inducted into the Gold Honorable Order of St. Michael by AAAA National President,
MG (Ret.) Tim Crosby in conjunction with the AMCOM change of command on Aug. 12, 2022 at
Redstone Arsenal, AL. Army Materiel Command Commanding General, GEN Edward Daly, was on handto congratulate Royar for his more than 34 years of service to Army Aviation.

the time you read this there may still bea few tickets left but no guarantees.
The December depot-focused Luther
G. Jones Forum in Corpus Christi,
TX rounds out the calendar year on
December 6-7. This forum is always aprofessionally rewarding and fun eventthat shines a light on the incredible
artisans and sustainment professionalsof this national asset. While there, we get
the opportunity to recognize the year’s
outstanding depot artisans through our
AAAA awards program.
One last item I would like tomention that has emerged from myvarious chapter visits around thecountry. The chapters have raised
the issue of rebooting our “Speakers
Bureau” that used to exist back in theday. Specifically, the chapters would liketo have a list of speakers that would be
willing to attend Chapter events andaddress them on various subjects toinclude Army Aviation Hall of Famers,
Industry representatives, outstanding
leaders from among our Army
Leadership, AAAA Boards, and theretired community. If you are interested
in participating, please contact Laura
Arena, our Director of Member
8

Engagement. Laura will endeavor to getyour availability out to the 79 chaptersaround the world to assist them intheir professional program planningand development. As you may know
AAAA underwrites almost $200,000 ayear for our chapters to sponsor local
events, and this would be a way to share
past lessons learned and visions for the
future with our over 18,000 members
and their families.
I am still on my mission to visit all thechapters before my tenure is over next
April. If I have not been to your chapter,believe me, I am headed your way.
Finally, the submission period
is open for our National Awards
recognizing outstanding Soldiers andunits – active, Guard and Reserves. Get
your submissions in by January 1st …
information and forms can be found on
our website at www.quad-a.org/awards.
As always, send me your thoughts onanything AAAA at tim.crosby@quad-a.
org. Hope to see you at an upcoming
AAAA event soon.
MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired
35th President, AAAA
October 31, 2022

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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October 31, 2022

u Army Aviation Branch Chief's Corner

Preparing to Sustain Army Aviation
into 2030

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SGT PRESTON MALIZIA

By MG Michael C. McCurry II

arge-scale combat operations(LSCO) against near-peer adversaries
will require units to operate fromstandoff, and in dispersed, austereoperational environments.

L

Army PFC Anthony Haines, armament electrical and avionics repairer,
assigned to Bravo Company, 1-3rd Attack Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation
Brigade, conducts a biweekly inspection on the M230 automatic gun of an
AH-64D Apache helicopter at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, April 3, 2022.

The reliance on contract maintenance for over 20 years of
war in Afghanistan and Iraq resulted in atrophy of technicalmaintenance skills and depth of maintenance experience
across our formations. We must restore our ability to sustain
at the speeds and precision necessary to fight and win future
operations. LSCO will demand high levels of competence
and flexibility to rapidly deploy small, well-led maintenanceteams across the battlefield enabling Aviation Forces to SeeStrike-Move and Extend for the ground maneuver force.
It is time to summon the same vigor, enthusiasm, andinnovation we leveraged to learn COIN operations in the early
2000s to drive Army 2030 transformation and prepare Army
Aviation operations and maintenance for the future battlefield.
The emerging technology of Future Vertical Lift (FVL) withFLRAA, FARA, FTUAS, and ALE has “advanced the ball”

for Army Aviation in materiel. Commensurate sustainment
readiness requires new perspectives and approaches toplanning, training, and executing Aviation logistics.
The next fight will not begin with combat aviation brigades
rotating onto a set of ready, theater provided aircraft in wellstocked clam shells with contractor maintenance. LSCO
operational tempo demands Aviation logistics Soldiers
become proficient masters of their craft, ready to transform
maintenance into a more predictive, mobile, and survivablecapability.
We have highly trained, disciplined, and fit aviation
maintainers ready and willing to excel by enabling Aviation
anywhere and anytime. Reducing our dependence on contract
maintenance support provides the training sets and reps forour capable and deserving Soldiers.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

10

October 31, 2022

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

11

October 31, 2022

becomeCarriage &Release systems

Release Unit

Cargo Hook

Ejector Release Unit

ArmyAviation2022-23-1.indd 1

Sonobuoy Launcher
25/07/2022 13:22:23

New maintenance tools such as additive manufacturing andemerging attributes like maintenance-free operating periods(MFOP) will increase the division’s lethality by maximizing
aircraft available to mass forces and rapidly disaggregate
them as the aerial arm of combined arms maneuver. In theinterim, we can pragmatically apply these principles to deriveachievable processes now, such as limited maintenance
operating periods (LMOP) along the lines of progressive
phase maintenance.
New Force Designs
As we plan and implement new force designs, our priority
will be ensuring the right mix of expertise and talent in ourmaintenance teams with adequate special tools and equipment
for dispersed operations. Fully mobile contact teams from allechelons (flight companies, aviation maintenance companies,
and aviation support battalions) capable of expeditiouslytransporting the requisite mix of tools and equipment will
be imperative to enable maintenance when and where it isrequired in the battle space.
Enemy satellite imagery, unmanned reconnaissancesystems, long-range artillery, and integrated air defense
systems offer little sanctuary for sustainment operations.
Challenging our maintainers with training that integrates
Warrior Task Training, camouflage and concealment, andtactical movement with MOS-specific training will sharpen
maintainers with the tactical skills necessary to survive.

field training exercises in conditions they will encounter
while conducting maintenance in LSCO. Capitalizing onthese opportunities to increase tactical proficiency sharpens
our Soldiers by reinforcing resiliency and readiness for future
austere conditions. Small maintenance teams dispersed acrossthe battlefield require the right skill set in the right place. As
we continue to develop the proficiency and experience ofNoncommissioned officers and Enlisted maintainers, wemust have information age tools to develop and track aviation
maintenance training requirements.
Similar to tracking Aviators’ readiness levels, the Aviation
Maintenance Training Program (AMTP), TC 3-04.71, allows
Leaders to track and develop the skills and task proficiencyof maintainers. AMTP helps to identify training needs for
specific skills and tasks, enabling commanders to minimize
unit readiness gaps.
A decisive advantage in LSCO requires novel ideas
for Aviation maintenance planning, equipping, training,
and talent management. Our officers, warrant officers,
noncommissioned officers, and Soldiers are the best in theworld. Now we must provide them with the knowledge, skills,
and equipment to sustain operations in a new environment.
As a branch, we are taking on this time of transition to LSCO
with holistic and innovative changes in how we maintain our
fleet of manned and unmanned aircraft. Our efforts will lead
us to success on any battlefield, anywhere in the world!
Above the Best!

Maintenance Training
USAACE is modernizing maintenance training
curriculums by challenging new Soldiers with 72 hours of

MG Michael C. McCurry II is the Army Aviation branch chiefand commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellenceand Fort Rucker, AL.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

12

October 31, 2022

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u AMCOM Commander Update

AMCOM Continues to Develop Programsfor Current and Future Forces
By MG Thomas W. O’Connor Jr.

T

he Army must meet both current
and future operational demands, andAMCOM is helping Army Aviation build
the capacity that provides the capability
to meet both.

U.S. ARMY CCAD COURTESY PHOTO

Specifically, AMCOM is involved in every aspect of Aviation
sustainment and modernization. We are not alone and have an
incredible team of partners, military, industry, and academia.
This team is helping us deliver sustainable materiel readiness for
the Soldiers of today and set the conditions to support the Soldiers of tomorrow. I want to take this opportunity to share withyou some of the tremendous initiatives ongoing at AMCOM
that will allow us to make significant strides improving materiel
sustainability and readiness, develop our workforce, and prepare
the command to support the future force.
First, AMCOM is taking a holistic approach to readiness.
Our strategic initiatives focus on our people, processes, criticalprograms, and our data analytics. All are key factors that support readiness not only for today but will also support readiness for the future force. Together, they are an explosive combination and readiness results are proof of the effectiveness ofthese initiatives.

At Corpus Christi Army Depot, an artisan works on an aircraft. The High
Velocity Training Program was developed specifically for the Army’s organic
industrial base to provide the workforce with adaptable “eLearning” based on
simulation and management software.

The Team
As always, every great organization has great people. Manyof you know AMCOM has a stellar workforce. Our team’s strategic initiatives focused on people will enable continuous training opportunities that advance our skilled, proficient workforce,ensuring they are fully capable of executing all AMCOM’s missions. As the Army procures new capabilities and weapons systems, our processes, facilities and workforce at both the headquarters and the depot must be ready to meet those requirements.
We continue to invest in the development of our people ensuring we are recruiting and retaining the best people. Our latest
initiative is High-Velocity Training (HVT). HVT was specifically developed for the Army’s organic industrial base. Throughthe program, our human resources team is setting up remoteand online learning tools that employees can access 24/7. They
are also creating lab designs and equipment specifications thatwill enhance CCAD artisans’ skills by offering training at the depot. The program will provide the Corpus Christi Army Depot’s
workforce an adaptable “eLearning” based simulation and management software.
The program will also help CCAD recruit and train new employees and retain a workforce who is committed, data-literate
and agile. We are actively seeking veterans, military spouses
and students. Once we on-board employees, we are training the
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

skills they’ll need as members of the CCAD workforce.
Furthermore, AMCOM recognizes that diversity in the workplace increases the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness. As
a result, we established a diversity board, comprised of employees
from every directorate, and a diversity committee, made up of every director. The board and the committee work individually andtogether to develop and implement programs to attract minority
candidates to further diversify our workforce.
Sustainment Capabilities
Everything AMCOM does is to improve combat readinessthrough the delivery of sustainment capabilities. AMCOM
continues to develop and refine our processes and programs todeliver cutting-edge sustainment to enduring and modernizing
fleets. Our major efforts include maximizing the depot source ofrepair, supporting the modernization of our combat platforms
and adopting technological innovation to improve supply-chain
performance.
CCAD is converting UH-60 L model Black Hawks to UH-60
V models. The Victor model is a digitally reconfigured version
with a glass cockpit similar to the UH-60 Mike model. This program is one of the links that helps Army Aviation transition to the
Future Vertical Lift programs. The Victor model retains the range,
14

October 31, 2022

Partnerships
AMCOM continues to build relationships beyond the Department of Defense to include with industry and academia.
Both are outstanding partners who are helping AMCOM movethe sustainment ball down the field. One area is with advanced
manufacturing.
Engineers at Wichita State University’s National Institute for
Aviation Research (NIAR) disassembled a UH-60 Black Hawk
aircraft and made a 3D scan, using handheld scanners, of every
major structural component. They then merged the 3D scanswith the old 2D drawings to create a complete 3D-model file.
In July, NIAR started the process of making a digital twin of an
AH-64 Apache helicopter. The end result are models the Armycan give to vendors or Army artisans to create a part. Scanningthe parts and building the 3D-model file is on the first step inthis process. In fact, we are already 3D printing some simple
parts that are either obsolete or hard to obtain.
In addition to the NIAR-scanned parts, our artisans at Corpus
Christi Army Depot are using blue-light scanning and cold sprayto make or build up parts. They are also sharing their workspacewith robotic counterparts, JARVIS I and JARVIS II.
As you know, many bolt holes on a helicopter were madeby hand, so they are not perfectly aligned. JARVIS I scans
an existing aircraft part and then transfers the scanned hole
placement onto a new, blank part. In short, perfectly making imperfect holes. JARVIS II is a robotic cell that cuts Black
Hawk blade inspections and repairs from a three-week process to a one-week process.

speed, sling-load capacity of the Lima model. The CCAD artisans
are adding in an entirely new wiring system and a fully digital
cockpit that replaces all the analog controls.
The Victor model’s digital interface enables pilots to perform their mission planning outside of the aircraft using acomputer equipped with the same programming as the aircraft. The pilots have access to moving maps that allow themto monitor the condition of the aircraft, routes, waypoints,
landing zones and return flights. The better pilot interface reduces crew burden and allows pilots to maintain situationalawareness outside the aircraft to execute the mission safer,
faster and more effectively. The Victor and Mike models arevery similar, so the training for both models is also nearly thesame, making training easier for everyone.
The conversion provides multiple benefits. First, it adds up
to 30 years of use to the airframe. Furthermore, there’s a significant cost savings. A UH-60V is approximately 40% cheaper
than the purchase price of a new UH-60M. That savings can beused to fund the Army’s aviation modernization, i.e., the future
vertical lift programs.
Since the Army owns the Victor model technology, there’s acost savings in upgrades. For most Army aircraft, the original
equipment manufacturer, or OEM, owns the aircraft software.
On those platforms, when software needs to be upgraded, theArmy pays the OEM thousands of dollars to upgrade aviation software. The Army owns the Victor model software, an
open-architecture concept that future vertical lift programs
will employ. Because of this open-architecture feature, theArmy can update or change the software instead of paying
a contractor. So far, CCAD has produced 25 UH-60 Victor
models and are on schedule to complete 23 this year and 31
Victor models in FY23.

Preparing for the Future
As AMCOM continues to improve sustainment and readiness for the current force, we are preparing for the future force,as well. We are capturing all of our advanced manufacturing
processes in an AMCOM policy and taking strides to verify
and validate the accuracy of aviation enterprise data to document all aviation enterprise strategic and stakeholder requirements. This will help us provide the Army accurate, integrated
data sets across the aviation fleets.
Our preparation for the future force includes building infrastructure now that will support the future Aviation efforts. At
CCAD, construction is ongoing on a new powertrain facility
that will house rotary-wing component rebuild activities. The
new facility will support advanced manufacturing, 3D printing, automation and state-of-the-art test cells. These capabilities will support powertrain and engine sustainment efforts
throughout the Department of Defense. When completed in
FY27, the facility will increase workplace efficiency, capability,
flexibility and capacity for CCAD’s enduring workload on the
T700 and T55 engines. It will also seamlessly integrate work on
the Improved Turbine Engine, the T901.
I am proud to be a member of this extremely talented AMCOM team. Every day, I meet another member of the AMCOM
team who is dedicated to ensuring readiness for our Soldiers.
Continuing our tradition of excellence – taking care of people,
ensuring sustainable materiel readiness, and preparing for the
future force -- is always paramount in our minds and efforts.
The entire AMCOM team is committed to one mission: Readiness for America’s Soldiers.

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u Aviation Branch Maintenance Officer Update

U.S. ARMY THE ARMY AVIATION BRIGADE COURTESY PHOTO

Save Time and Money By Doing Things
By the Book By CW5 Patrick O’NeillI

t’s hard to believe that it’s almost November. It
seems like just a few short days ago we wereenjoying the beautiful summer weather.

Aviation maintainers assigned to the 12th
Aviation Battalion, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, inspect a
UH-60 during routine maintenance.

With another Halloween soon to bebehind us and looking forward toanother holiday season, I reflected on
our busy summer. I find that some of
my personal endeavors relate to mymore recent Army experiences.
If I may... This past spring andsummer, I took on a large project at
my home. It took me the entirety ofthe spring, summer, and good portionof this fall to complete. You may ask
yourself why this is relevant to Army
Aviation. I took on a project that was
perhaps too big for me to do alone. It
was also a project about which I had alittle experience but not enough to be
confident in.
Although I watched many YouTube
videos and read several articles on
how to proceed with my project
those sources didn’t have step-by-step

year, I have seen numerous experienced
professionals doing their jobs by the
book. Unfortunately, I have also seen
and continue to see individuals still
not following proper maintenanceprocedures. This past spring andsummer, Army Aviation experienced
several different situations that werecaused by improper maintenance.
Some situations were due to lackof knowledge or experience; somewere blatant disregard for proper
procedures; and some were caused byincorrect procedures written or steps
omitted from our technical manuals.
Many millions of dollars were lostor spent to fix these errors. The mostegregious of these missteps led to theloss of an aircraft. The silver lining
during all of this was that none of ouraviators or crew members were severely

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

instructions or manuals telling me how
to do the project. As I got into someof the intricacies of my never-ending
endeavor, I learned that professional
help or guidance would have been
greatly useful. One might say that thisis painfully obvious. That experiencereminded me that explicit guidancefrom technical manuals is the way to go.
As I toiled through the hot summer
months to complete my project, I
thought back on the many years that
I have been a maintenance officer.
How many times have I spoken topeers and subordinates about using
proper manuals for the task at hand?
If I had only listened to myself at the
beginning of this project, my summer
job would’ve been much easier.
I have traveled across our Army’s
maintenance facilities over the past
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October 31, 2022

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

A maintenance specialist with the 96th Aviation Support Battalion “Troubleshooters,” 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault), conducts maintenance checks on a UH-60.

hurt. And, thanks to our Army’s highly
skilled pilots, no lives were lost. The
worst part of these incidents was thefact that every single one was avoidable.
Every few years, all aviation brigades
go through an inspection. During these
inspections, maintenance proceduresand practices are heavily emphasized.
Some people feel that these inspections
are a waste of time and resources. From
what I have learned over the years and
now whole heartedly believe is thatthese inspections are worthwhile andnot intrusive. They are great reminders
to us all that we need to comply with
Army regulations and standards formaintenance each and every day. For
these inspections do nothing morethan reinforce standards that are
already in place.
We all have received well-planned
and thought-out training throughout
our careers. Continued Armyeducation is just the start. We, as
professional maintenance officers andnoncommissioned officers in charge,need to continually and aggressively
pursue training that keeps us up todate with new equipment, policies
and procedures. Many of theseopportunities are available online
and at our Army depots. As leaders,
we must also ensure that we pass ourknowledge and experience on to our
Soldiers through proper support,
supervision and mentorship. I can’t
20

begin to tell you how important it is thatTechnical Inspectors and Maintenance
Officers are out on the hangar floor
helping, training, and observing daily,
all while simultaneously enforcing thestandards.
Please make no mistake, in our
Army we have the best trained andskilled maintenance test pilots,
technical inspectors and maintainers ofany military in the world, this includes
our contractors and Department of the
Army Civilians. At the end of the day,
we are all human and we make mistakes.
We do a job that can be unforgiving andwhere only perfection is expected. The
problem is that none of us are perfect,
and it will always take a team of highly
trained and skilled individuals toachieve the goal of perfection.
My ask is that we all do the small tasks
by the book each and every time we dothem. As leaders, we should ensurethat our fellow Soldiers and teammates
are doing things correctly. I would
like to take this opportunity to thankeveryone associated with Army Aviation
maintenance for always looking out forour pilots and crew members by always
putting their safety first.
CW5 Patrick O’Neill is the Aviation
Branch Maintenance Officer, U.S. Army
Aviation and Missile Command at
Redstone Arsenal, AL.
October 31, 2022

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

21

October 31, 2022

u AMCOM Command Sergeant Major Update

A Year as the AMCOM CSM:

At AMCOM, it’s all about the workforce supporting
the Warfighter By CSM Bradford L. SmithI

It is truly exciting to come in eachday and collaborate with the AMCOM
workforce on the lines of effort and initiatives. These lines of efforts and initiatives start here and will eventually
impact the entire Army Aviation enterprise. In short, everything AMCOM
does is about people: our workforce,
Soldiers and Joint Warfighters.
Whether it is advanced manufacturing, streamlining process at both of ourdepots, the conversion of the UH-60
Lima to Victor Model Black Hawk orrecording a podcast. It is all because of
the workforce, the “PEOPLE.” The Chiefof Staff of the Army, Gen. James McConville and the AMCOM commander,
MG Thomas O’Connor, are adamant:
Our number one priority is “PEOPLE.”
I have had the opportunity to travel tosome of our locations and had the privilege to meet some of the amazing people
who make up our workforce. I can report to you that they all care about one
thing: the Warfighter. AMCOM’s workforce, its people –regardless of if they are stationed at
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Corpus
Christi, Texas; Germany; Korea; or
any of the many other locations – arecommitted to supporting the Warfighter.
It is because of our dedicatedworkforce that AMCOM can moveso many lines of efforts and initiatives
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

U.S. ARMY CCAD COURTESY PHOTO

t is hard to believe thatover one year ago I
joined the U.S. Army
Aviation and Missile
Command (AMCOM)
team as the Command
Sergeant Major.

SGT Lord Rigonan, 1106th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group (TASMG), California Army
National Guard, works alongside Corpus Christi Army Depot artisan Michael Salazar during unit training
at the depot, June 16, 2022.

forward simultaneously and achieve
outstanding results. There are too many
to list, so I will concentrate on a few inthis article.
First, is advanced manufacturing.
Across the enterprise, there’s a lot of
discussion about printing parts in thefield. I think this is something that
can happen; however, laying out andunderstanding the process is the mostimportant step, in my opinion. Ms.
Andrea Benson is leading the AMCOM
22

advanced manufacturing initiative.
She has coordinated and conductednumerous
semi-annual
Advance
Manufacturing Summits over the
past few years with our sister services,
industry, and other organizations
within the Army Aviation Enterprise.
This effort has allowed AMCOM topublish a third version of the AMCOM
Advanced
Manufacturing
Policy,dated August 2022. AMCOM’s policyaligns with Department of Defense
October 31, 2022

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October 31, 2022

u Enlisted Aviation Soldier Spotlight
Each month we will feature a past AAAA National or Functional Enlisted or NCO
Award winner as part of our ongoing recognition of the Best of the Best in our Aviation
Branch. The CY 2021 National winners were featured in the March/April AAAA Army
Aviation State of the Union issue.

SSG Jalen E. Rhodus
AAPI FILE PHOTO

Company F, 6th Battalion,
101st Aviation Regiment
Task Force Eagle Assault
101st Combat Aviation Brigade
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Air Traffic Controller of the Year, 2019
Sponsored by Raytheon Company

S

SG Jalen Rhodus’ performance as Foxtrot Company’s Phoenix Tower Facility Chief
was marked by a relentless pursuit for excellence and superb knowledge of tower
control which directly influenced Phoenix Tower’s ability to conduct operations
without accident or incident in support of Operation Resolute Support Headquarters,
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, and Task Force Destiny. During his deployment, he wasa key participant in the creation of the Green Zone Aerodrome within the Kabul Base
Cluster (KBC). Effectively, this allowed for all six current and future U.S. Army air traffic
controllers to receive rating credentials, while enhancing the combat effectiveness of
Task Force Destiny. SSG Rhodus ensured the safe, orderly, and expeditious movementof aircraft in support of various aviation missions including MEDEVAC, reconnaissance,sling-load operations, and Distinguished Visitor operations in the KBC with his controllers
completing over 73,000 aircraft movements, controlling 18,205 aircraft, and supporting
over 92,000 passengers without accident or incident. He is a dedicated, passionate
leader, and subject matter expert, whose innovative and strategic approach to solving
complex problems for Air Traffic Control operations procedures is held in high regard
within the ATC community.

guidance and input from previously
mentioned partners to ensure it
covers airworthiness in our advanced
manufacturing efforts.
Another incredible AMCOM asset isour organic industrial base, our depots.
If you have not had the opportunity
to visit either of our depots, Corpus
Christi Army Depot (CCAD) in Texas,
or Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD)
in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to
see the great work the AMCOM teamis doing, then you need to schedule a
trip. LEAD is known for its missile
systems maintenance, but they are also
resetting the Army’s Aviation GroundSupport Equipment and Auxiliary
Ground Power Unit or AGPU, and theGeneric Aircraft Nitrogen Generators,
or GANG.
One program our depots offer is awell-kept secret. In fact, it’s too muchof a well-kept secret: They will train
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

your Aviation Soldiers. If you have theopportunity, I strongly recommend
sending aviation maintainers to LEAD
where they can work side-by-side with
our artisans on some of these systems.
The training they receive will enable
them to better maintain your aviation
ground support equipment.
Another training opportunity awaits
your Soldiers at CCAD where they canwalk the UH-60 Black Hawk Lima to
Victor production line to see how ourartisans are transforming UH-60 Limamodels from an analog cockpit to the
UH-60 Victor model with a digital,
glass cockpit, similar to the UH-60
Mike model. The Victor model retains
the range, speed, sling-load capacity of
the Lima model, but with a lot of needed
improvements. These aircraft will be
the link that helps Army Aviation segue
to the Future Vertical Lift program.
You and your Soldiers will see,24

firsthand, how CCAD is modernizing
UH-60 blade repair using the JARVIS
II, or the Joint Autonomous Repair
Verification and Inspection System
II. JARVIS II is a robotic cell thatmodernizes multiple inspection andrepair processes on the UH-60A, L
and V main rotor blades, cutting thetime for blade inspections and repairs
from three weeks each to one week
each. While at the depot, your Soldiers
can train with the CCAD artisans on
engine and transmission maintenanceor just about any other facet of aviation
maintenance. If you’re interested insending your Soldiers to one of the
AMCOM depots for training, contact
the respective depot sergeant major tocoordinate.
With all the lines of efforts andinitiatives at AMCOM, back in
February, I asked MG Todd Royar, if
he thought producing podcasts about
what AMCOM is and what we aredoing would be helpful to the aviationenterprise. I am proud to report that
we have completed seven podcasts,
thus far. For each podcast, we broughtin subject matter experts to discussvarious topics. We really tried tokeep each podcast under 10 minutes;
however, some of these topics can
get interesting with questions andconversation back and forth. We havecovered several topics, including what
is a Logistic Assistance Representative(LAR),
AMCOM’sadvancedmanufacturing efforts, UH-60 Lima
to Victor production line and ProductQuality Deficiency Report (PQDR).
We have a list of topics we still need tocover. I am looking forward to learningfrom the next subject matter expert andsharing that information with you. You
can check out the AMCOM podcast“What Can AMCOM Do for You” athttps://www.amcom.army.mil/news.
These lines of effort and initiatives
are just a few of the many examplesof the amazing AMCOM workforce
who are supporting the warfighter
every day. I am proud to be a memberof the AMCOM team and to be their
Command Sergeant Major and I am
looking forward to what we together asa team will continue to do to support
the Warfighter.

CSM Bradford L. Smith is the commandsergeant major of the Aviation and Missile
Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
October 31, 2022

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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25

October 31, 2022

u Combat Readiness Center Update
By LTC Sean O’Connell

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY SGT JOHN SCHOEBEL

Set Up For SuccessA

rmy Aviation has virtually eliminated the “fourthquarter spike” the past two years and kept ClassA mishap rates at less than 1 per 100,000 flight hours
the past five years, according to U.S. Army Combat
Readiness Center (USACRC) data.
The key to this success is operationalrisk management and leader engagement at all levels. Currently, the Army istransitioning its training focus to largescale combat operations. Past experiences tell us that transitions are whereleaders must manage risk the most. To
assist in loss prevention efforts, the USACRC identified some leading indicators that accounted for 88% of Class C
and below flight/flight-related mishaps.
Out of 826 events between FY16 andFY22, the leading mishap category wasobject strikes/controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) and hard landings, primarily due to power management issues.
More than 120 of these Class C eventswere dangerously close to being a ClassA mishap. Combating this leading indicator will require renewed focus on terrain flight mission planning.
In counterinsurgency operations,
the Army transitioned to higher flight
profiles to prioritize small-arms firerisk mitigation over air defense systemthreats. Now that our threat profile has
ARMY AVIATION Magazinechanged, we are once again flying closer
to the earth’s surface. Terrain flight presents numerous hazards, including wires,
trees, weather limiting line of sight and,of course, the ground. These hazards may
seem obvious, but CFIT continues to bea factor in Army flight mishaps. If notproperly trained and prepared to enterterrain flight, mishaps can occur, as yourworld shrinks from an abundance of visibility and maneuver space to inches andseconds from the surrounding hazards.
This is especially true at night and in other degraded visual environments.
To compensate for not having the recovery time from mistakes afforded byaltitude, there are three margins we canincrease — power, airspeed, and terrain
flight mission planning. First, power
can cover up a multitude of mistakes if
a conscious effort is made to conserve it.
With excess power, you can stop faster,
turn steeper and climb more quickly
over obstacles — all of which are advantages in the near-earth environmentof terrain flight. The second margin is26

A Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) CH-47
Chinook from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 211th
Aviation Regiment, maneuvers over hilly terrain
on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, April 2, 2022.

airspeed. The closer you operate to theearth, the slower you must fly to avoid
obstacles. This may seem obvious, but
we must constantly fight the negative
habit transfer caused by the high-altitude/high-energy flying of the past. The
third margin is to increase preparation
through terrain flight mission planning.
Mission planning at terrain flight takes
more than following a needle on a GPSor mindlessly following a course line
on a multifunctional display. Good terrain flight mission planning takes careful consideration to avoid hazards presented to the pilot at lower altitudes. It is
no longer a given that a course line will
follow a straight line on a map. Planninglandmarks for terrain association becomes more important than ever.
Remember, avoiding terrain flight is
not the answer. Consistently practicing
terrain flight to develop proficiency sets
us up for success and keeps Army Aviation’s Class A mishaps low.
Readiness Through Safety!
LTC Sean O’Connell is a member of theAviation Division, Directorate of Analysis and Prevention, U.S. Army Combat
Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, AL.
October 31, 2022

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

27

October 31, 2022

u Reserve Components Aviation Update

Mountain Medic 22 Provides
Challenging Training

By COL Lindsey Halter

The Army Reserve Aviation Command(ARAC) recently completed the second
iteration of its Mountain Medic exercise.
This exercise focused on MEDEVAC capability and took place at Fort Carson,
Colorado. The first Mountain Medic
took place in 2020 to prepare G/7-158
GSAB, a Reserve MEDEVAC unit, fordeployment in support of Operation
Freedom’s Sentinel. The Reserve medical
exercise Global Medic was cancelled thatyear due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With no other training opportunity, theARAC, along with a non-deploying sister
MEDEVAC company, developed a training event to prepare the unit for deployment. The first Mountain Medic took
place over 10 days and exercised two Forward Support Medical Platoons (FSMPs)
as well as one Area Support Medical Platoon. The crews conducted 50 nine-line
scenarios with 30 point of injury (POI)
sites. Mock patients with trauma moulage kits were utilized to provide realism
for the flight medics. This first Mountain
Medic validated the concept and demonstrated the value of this training, laying
the foundation for the success of Mountain Medic 22.
One focus of the exercise is Total
Force interoperability. During Mountain
Medic 22, Army Reserve MEDEVAC
crews interacted with Army units from
active duty and Special Forces, alongwith active duty and Reserve Air Force,
Air National Guard, and even Space
Force personnel. A total of 84 personnel
from six different organizations helpedwith the training prior to the exercise
and more than 260 personnel from ten
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

U.S. ARMY RESERVE AVIATION COMMAND COURTESY PHOTO

T

he Army Reserve
Aviation Command(ARAC) recently
completed the second
iteration of its Mountain
Medic exercise.

MEDEVAC training at Fort Carson, CO during Mountain Medic 22.

separate organizations participated in the
training. The ARAC had aircraft fromfour units involved. This support andpartnership across many organizations isa key element in making Mountain Medic
realistic, challenging, and successful.
Mountain Medic provided a unique
opportunity for crews to work together
as a team in scenarios not available during regular continuation training. The
training started with each unit giving acapability brief. Other preparations included local area orientations and staticload training. Aircrews received training
on high-altitude operations and power
management, skills that will certainly
carry forward throughout their flying
career. The main portion of the exercise
gave medical personnel the opportunity
to get hands-on training with cadavers
and role-players with moulage, as well as
patient hand-offs with multiple levels of
medical role treatment teams. In particular, the cadavers gave medical personnel
a chance to practice skills that they can’t
perform on live-role players or even highfidelity simulators. Aircrews got experience flying in high altitude and in a contested environment as Mountain Medicalso included opposing forces (OPFOR).
This exercise is a great example ofwhat LTG Jody Daniels, the Chief ofArmy Reserve and Commanding General of U.S. Army Reserve Command,28

addresses in her white paper, “Changing Culture: Moving from Metrics to
Readiness.” LTG Daniels wants Reserve
units to get away from metrics focusedleadership and get back to what matters:“recruiting, developing, and retaining
cohesive teams and units that are highly
trained, disciplined, and fit to accomplish their wartime mission.”As the military transitions to largescale combat operations, Mountain
Medic will have to adapt. The exercise did
incorporate simulated GPS degradation,
but this will need to be continued and expanded. Adding armed gunship escorts
to the scenario could further replicate acontested battlefield environment andreinforce anticipated mixed airframe operations. Additionally, MEDEVAC crews
will need to practice more mass-casualty
events. Mountain Medic has done an excellent job developing the joint concept as
it already incorporates Army, Air Force,and Space Force.
Using a Total Force approach, Mountain Medic 22 tested and developed both
medical personnel and aircrews. Planning is already underway for Mountain
Medic 23.
Army Reserve Aviation – Rise Above!
Ready now! Shaping tomorrow!
COL Lindsey Halter is the acting
commander of the Army Reserve Aviation
Command at Fort Knox, KY.
October 31, 2022

WE’VE STOOD
WHERE YOU STAND

For 21 years and 7 months, Bruce Melendez proudly served in the
U.S. Army in various roles including CH47 Mechanic, CH47 Flight
Engineer, CH47 Technical Inspector, CH47 Test Pilot Course
Instructor, Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant.

Bruce Melendez

U.S. Army 1986-2007

Today, Bruce is our Flight Test Lead; a role for which his time in theservice prepared him well. His service to our country continues to be
his life work as he contributes his knowledge as a civilian.
He knows what you demand - he’s stood where you stand.

| summit-aviation.com/stand

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

29

October 31, 2022

u 128th Aviation Brigade Update

151As Training for Army Aviation
Expeditionary Operations

By CW4 Abe GarciaT

he phrase Large Scale Combat
Operations (LSCO) is becoming
engrained in every aspect of our training
environment.
Whether at the National Training Center (NTC) or ina classroom at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, our Aviation
Maintenance Technicians (AMT) have heard this phrase moretimes than they can recall. The phrase LSCO is not intended to
be another catchy acronym in the back of our mind, it’s intended
to change our culture on how we sustain Army Aviation in the
future. Conceptually, it’s easy to understand the future of Army
Aviation, the challenge is executing the training and changing
the culture today for tomorrow’s mission.

U.S. ARMY GRAPHIC

Step 1: Train the Trainers
The Warrant Officer Training Division (WOTD)
understands this monumental challenge and has taken steps
to prepare our AMTs to manage Aviation maintenance andlogistics in LSCO. This transition begins with educating our
Training Developers and Instructors on the Aviation Branch’s
core capabilities of sustaining and maintaining Aviation
operations in austere environments. The challenge here isrefocusing senior Aviation Warrant Officers that spent 20
years in counterinsurgency deployments managing large
stocks of parts and equipment to only the necessities. Thistransformation largely occurred thanks to many professional
development sessions from the Aviation Branch and 128th
Aviation Brigade (AB) leadership sharing the vision to
influence change across the branch. With the training team
refocused on expeditionary operations, WOTD developed astrategy to train and influence the current and future Aviation
maintenance and logistics managers.

2023 with an anticipated implementation date of Sep 2025.
Additionally, WOTD is working with the Aviation Branchon 151A Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education(WOILE) requirements, restructuring the 151A Career Path,and revising the 151A Individual Training Plan to better
position the talents of 151As in supporting Army Aviation.
Step 3: Train
The strategy ends with training the force. Implementing the
new 151A WOBC/WOAC will not occur until 2025, so there isa need to inject training into the force now. WOTD has begun
hosting virtual town halls via MS Teams to educate every 151A
in all three COMPOs on various components of expeditionary
Aviation sustainment. Additionally, these virtual town halls
enable users in the field to share changes in the institution as
they occur, allowing us to make immediate course changes tohelp keep pace. Finally, WOTD has created a training repository
on MS Teams for users in the field to reference various aspectsof expeditionary maintenance management. As Army Aviation
continues to evolve, 151As are agile professionals prepared to
manage or advise aspects of sustainment.
“Born Under Fire!”

Step 2: Develop the Training
This strategy begins with developing the Individual Critical
Task List (ICTL) as the training requirements. The 128th
AB hosted a Critical Task Site Selection Board (CTSSB) lastyear to identify new ICTLs that will produce new training
requirements for the revised 151A Warrant Officer Basic
Course (WOBC). During the CTSSB, the training teameducated and shaped the participants to vote on tasks fostering
sustainment of expeditionary Aviation operations. Earlier thisyear, WOTD completed the task analysis for the new 151A
ICTLs which codified the expeditionary sustainment training
requirements. The training team is currently rewriting theentire WOBC course with LSCO as the backdrop of thecontent with an anticipated implementation date of Jan 2025.
The 128th AB will initiate the same process for the 151A
Warrant Officer Advanced Course (WOAC) starting May
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

CW4 Abe Garcia is the director of the Warrant Officer Training
Division, 1-210th Aviation Regiment, 128th Aviation Brigade,
Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA.
30

October 31, 2022

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October 31, 2022

u Tech Talk

Autorotation: Part 1 – Entry and Steady Descent
Dr. Thomas L. Thompson

Modern rotorcraft engines are very
reliable, however in the unlikely
event that a total loss of engine poweroccurs in flight, a safe autorotative
landing should be possible given
sufficient altitude, a suitable landing site
and timely flight control inputs.
Figure 1. – Rotor Blade Elements

We’ll break our discussion of autorotation into two parts. This
article (Part 1) will discuss the importance of recognizing a
total loss of power quickly, reducing blade pitch, stabilizing
rotor speed, and establishing a steady rate of descent.
We’ll also review some of the basic physical principles ofautorotative flight. In our next article (Part 2), we’ll discuss
the final phase of the autorotation maneuver, which involves
using the rotational energy of the rotor system to arrest the
kinetic energy of the aircraft and ensure a safe landing.
Rotorcraft engines provide shaft power needed to overcome
the profile drag of the spinning rotor blades and to induce
airflow through the rotor disk to generate lift. When engine
power is lost, the rotor speed and rotor thrust decrease, andthe aircraft begins to descend. The pilot must reduce thecollective pitch of the blades quickly to stabilize the rotor
speed (some modern rotorcraft control systems detect a lossof engine power and automatically reduce collective pitch).
As the aircraft descent rate increases, the upward flow of air
through the rotor provides the energy needed to keep therotor spinning without power from the engines (rotorcraft aredesigned with a freewheeling clutch that disengages the rotor
from the failed engines and allows the rotor to spin freely).
The physics of autorotation can be understood by comparing
force and velocity diagrams at a blade element in poweredflight with the same blade element in autorotation (Figure 1).
In both cases, the blade lift (perpendicular to relative wind)
and the blade drag (parallel to relative wind) are a function of
the blade angle of attack (the angle at which the airfoil section“bites” the air), which is the difference between the blade pitch
angle and the angle of the relative wind. In powered flight, thedirection of the relative wind is downward through the rotor,
which tilts the lift vector aft, resulting in an “induced drag” that
opposes the rotational motion of the blades. In autorotation,
the net flow of air is upward through the rotor, which tilts thelift vector forward, resulting in a “driving force” that helps
counteract the drag of the blades. The driving forces near thetips of the blades may not be sufficient to overcome the highdrag forces in that region, particularly if autorotation is entered
at a relatively high value of airspeed, where more power is
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

required to drive the rotor. In that case, the aircraft will trim at
a higher descent velocity, where the driving forces at inboard
sections of the blades provide the balance of the torque need tocounteract the high drag near the blade tip (this assumes thatthe inboard blade sections are not stalled, which will occur if
the rotor speed is allowed to decrease below a critical level).
Although pilots don’t have time to ponder blade-element
diagrams when dealing with an emergency, they learn throughflight and simulator training how to recognize quickly (fromaural cues and cockpit warnings) when engine power is lost,
and then how to enter autorotation, control rotor speed andestablish a steady rate of descent. In training and testing (whenpilots know a simulated loss of power is imminent), pilots
are often asked to wait one or two seconds before reducing
collective pitch so that the resulting rotor speed decay isequivalent to what it would be in a real emergency. Simulator
training can also be used to demonstrate the consequences of
waiting too long to reduce collective pitch following a loss of
power. In those cases, rotor speed may decrease below 80%,
where blade flapping typically becomes excessive (risking
blade contact with the tail boom or nose of the aircraft) and theaircraft is more difficult to control.
Finally, after arresting rotor speed decay, smaller changes incollective pitch are applied to maintain rotor speed to withina range recommended by the Operator’s Manual (typicallywithin plus or minus 5% of the normal operating rpm). The
cyclic controls are also adjusted to trim the aircraft at theairspeed for minimum rotor power required (typically 7080 knots), where the steady rate of descent is lowest. As wewill discuss next time (Part 2), a low steady rate of descentfacilitates the task of timing the final flare maneuver andlanding within recommended limits for aircraft attitudes,
vertical (descent) velocity and airspeed.
Dr. Thomas L. Thompson is the chief engineer for aeromechanics
at the Systems Readiness Directorate, U.S. Army Combat
Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center,
Redstone Arsenal, AL.
32

October 31, 2022

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Hypothyroidism
By LTC (Dr.) Emily A. SimmonsQ:

My doctor just told me that my thyroid is “low”
and wants me to start medication. What doesthat mean for my Aviation career?
FS: Hypothyroidism refers to a condi-tion where the thyroid gland is underactive, meaning that it produces too little
thyroid hormone. It is a common condition, occurring in approximately 5% of
the population. It is several times morecommon in women than in men and increases with age but is not uncommon
in young and middle-aged adults. In the
United States, the most common cause
is an autoimmune condition, where thebody produces antibodies that attack the
thyroid gland. As a result, it is unable toproduce an adequate amount of thyroid
hormone. Other causes include inflam-

matory conditions, surgical removal of
the thyroid, congenital hypothyroidism(something you are born with), radiation treatment, lack of iodine in the diet,or brain conditions where the signal telling the thyroid to produce its hormone
is disrupted.
How does hypothyroidism
affect the body?
The thyroid can be thought of as oneof the metabolic control centers of the
body. Symptoms of hypothyroidism areoften vague and non-specific, making
them difficult to notice as they typicallydevelop slowly over time. Symptoms can
include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, skin and hair changes, constipation, slow heart rate, abnormal bloodpressure, elevated cholesterol, slowed
thinking, depression, and swelling. Severe cases can lead to abnormal heart
rhythms, decreased heart pumping
function (congestive heart failure), sleep
apnea, and ultimately unconsciousness.
How is hypothyroidism
diagnosed and treated?
Hypothyroidism is diagnosed byblood tests. Sometimes your doctor
might order imaging studies, especially
if they can feel nodules, or bumps, in the
thyroid. The most common treatment
is a synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medication, known as levothyroxine. Your doctor should titrate your dose
based on periodic lab tests, especiallywhen first starting the medication. Your
dose may change with fluctuations inweight, the development of other medical conditions, or age, and the absorp-

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tion of thyroid medication is sensitive
to factors such as the timing of taking
it and taking it on an empty stomach. It
can take a few weeks to months for labs
to return to normal, depending on the
duration and severity of hypothyroidism before diagnosis. Although there areother types of treatment available, manyof them are not well regulated and they
are not recommended for use especiallyin an Aviation setting. Thyroid function doesn’t typically return to normal
in most types of hypothyroidism, but
symptoms can be kept under good control with adherence to the medication
regimen.
What does all of this meanfrom an aeromedical
perspective?
The bad news: hypothyroidism is
a disqualifying condition. The good
news: waivers are readily granted once
you start treatment and your condition
is stable. The fact that symptoms fromhypothyroidism tend to develop gradually in most cases is both reassuring andconcerning when considering aeromedical risk. It is reassuring because there is avery low likelihood of sudden incapacitation. However, because the symptoms
develop insidiously many people don’t

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

realize how bad they have been feeling
until after they start treatment and begin to feel better. Subtle incapacitationfrom symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and slowed decision making andreaction time is a legitimate risk with untreated or undertreated hypothyroidism.
The aeromedical policy letter (APL)
governing hypothyroidism was updated
in December 2021. For an initial waiveror exception to policy, the APL requires
confirmation of the diagnosis, consultation with a physician (either a primarycare doctor or an endocrinologist, depending on the type of hypothyroidism
and the level of complexity), and labs
demonstrating that treatment has resulted in normalization of thyroid hormone levels. Temporary clearance while
waiting for a waiver to be submitted andapproved is authorized as long as yoursymptoms are under control and you
don’t have any medication side effects.
Once a waiver is approved, the only annual waiver requirement is to have labs
showing that thyroid hormone levels
have remained in the normal range. If
your thyroid labs are mildly abnormal atyour annual physical, your waiver may
still be continued provided that yourflight surgeon validates that you aren’t
having any symptoms. However, your35

medication dose or the way you take themedication should be adjusted to get you
back into the normal range.
In summary, hypothyroidism is acommon condition resulting from anunderactive thyroid gland. While it is adisqualifying condition for Army Aviation, it is readily treatable and usuallyamenable to waiver approval. Symptoms should be monitored carefully
due to the potential for subtle incapacitation, especially around the time ofdiagnosis or with any changes to your
medication regimen.
Fly Safe!
Questions?
If you have a question you would
like addressed, email it to AskFS@
quad-a.org; we will try to address it in
the future. See your unit flight surgeon
for your personal health issues.
The views and opinions offered arethose of the author and researchersand should not be construed as an
official Department of the Army
position unless otherwise stated.
LTC (Dr.) Emily A. Simmons is assigned
to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence at Fort Rucker, AL.

October 31, 2022

Special Focus u Aviation Maintenance/Sustainment

U.S. ARMY AMCOM COURTESY PHOTO

AMCOM Adds Advanced Manufacturing
To Its Sustainment Toolbox By Lisa HunterT

he U.S. Army Aviation and Missile
Command has added a few new
tools to its sustainment toolbox
that are already improving Army
Aviation readiness rates.
Partnering with academia and industry, AMCOM has invested significant resources into improved readinessand modernizing Army aircraft using
advanced manufacturing. Advanced
manufacturing is used to address sustainment issues ranging from obsolete
parts to drilling custom holes in an aircraft fuselage.
Advanced manufacturing is cuttingedge, innovative technology of which additive and subtractive manufacturing aresubsets. Additive manufacturing is theability to create three-dimensional objects by adding layer after layer to build
a part or tool. Subtractive manufacturing
is similar to sculpting in that the machinist starts with a larger block of metal, forexample, and machines it down to thedesired shape. Advanced manufacturing,or AM, improves readiness by allowing
maintainers to print at the point of needwhen you can’t get something throughthe traditional supply chain. Furthermore, using AM, maintainers are able
to make tools, as well, limiting the laborneeded to make a repair.
AMCOM employs several additive
manufacturing initiatives to improvereadiness. The initiatives include bluelight scanning, cold spray and computer-aided design (CAD) software and 3D
object scanners used to 3D print structural parts and tools.
Cold spray is an additive manufacturing
technology that AMCOM is using to repair
aluminum and steel parts. AMCOM is using coldspray technology for non-structural repairs, suchas corrosion and surface defects. Cold spraycreates a mechanical bond.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

36

At Wichita State University, National Institute for
Aviation Research (NIAR) technicians scanned
more than 5,000 individual UH-60 Black Hawk
parts, making 3D scans of each part. The parts
can then be 3D printed at the point of need.

Modeling Parts

Blue-light scanning is a high-resolution, structured scanning technique.
Using a projector, a camera and a lensto collect various data points, artisans at
AMCOM’s Corpus Christi Army Depot
are able to perform complex material
inspections, gather measurements andmake templates. The artisans use bluelight scanning to print 3D models of aviation parts. Those models can be used
for training and finding ways to mitigate
cracks in the part.

Structural repairs

Another technique AMCOM is using is cold spray. Cold spray is an additive manufacturing technology that
AMCOM is using to repair parts. Unlike
other additive manufacturing technologies that are used to make parts, cold
spray is used to repair many different
materials, including aluminum and steel.
October 31, 2022

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waiting for the slow-moving supply chain or for a vendor who
can manufacture the part, the unit can print the needed part– and maybe even the tool needed to make the repair – at the
point of need. In the near future, the 3D scan of low-criticality
parts will be uploaded into a library. The Soldier will download the file and print the part at their location or load the file
into a five-axis Computer Numeric Control Mill to manufacture the part.

Robotics

At CCAD, artisans are getting to know their new coworkers,
JARVIS and JARVIS II. The JARVIS II, or the Joint Autonomous Repair Verification and Inspection System II, is a robotic
cell that modernizes multiple inspection and repair processeson the UH-60A, L and V main rotor blades. It replaces thepainstakingly slow hands-on process formerly performed byartisans. JARVIS II detects damage, decreases the cycle time on
blade repair preparation, repairs the blade’s honeycomb coreaccurately and with repeatability, and provides increased precision and timing on blade inspections. Using the JARVIS II, theblade inspection and repair that used to take three weeks when
done by hand, now takes less than a week.
AMCOM artisans are also employing computer numericalcontrol (CNC) machines for subtractive manufacturing. At
CCAD, they are using the JARVIS I, a deployable robotic cell
to perfectly drill imperfect holes. JARVIS I inspects and scans
an existing aircraft structural part. The scanned alignment ofexisting bolt holes in the structure is then transferred onto a
new “blank” part. Many Army aircraft were assembled by hand,so in many cases the holes were drilled individually, lacking any
consistency. This process increases accuracy and repeatability
for the hole alignment and reduces the repair turnaround time.
To ensure Soldier safety and the highest levels of quality,
AMCOM developed a process to trace and document all advanced manufactured parts into its systems so that any AMpart can be traced back to its manufacturing location, the raw
materials used, work instructions and other key processes andmanufacturing aspects readily identified. This information has
been added to AMCOM’s Advanced Manufacturing Policy
070-062, developed by the AMCOM Advanced Manufacturing/Modernization Branch along with the Systems ReadinessDirectorate, Aviation and Missile Center. The policy continues
to evolve and is now in its fourth iteration.
Lastly comes the creation of the AMCOM Data Analytics
Center (ADAC), the new ‘gatekeeper’ of all things databased. ADAC is developing a strategy for the governance,
management and enabling capabilities of data. The ADAC
team will do that by collecting, analyzing and turning
relevant data into viable information that can be used tomake informed decisions. They will develop and maintaina Consolidated Management and Analytics Strategy – nested
with Army Materiel Command, the Army and the Departmentof Defense. The intent is to provide real-time data at the righttime to the right person.
Through investment in innovation, a trained workforce armed
with blue-light scanning, cold spray, digital twins, and robotic
repair we’re evolving dated processes to ultimately reduce operations and sustainment cost. This will enable us to be more competitive and increase readiness for AMCOM’s customers: theWarfighters at our camps, posts and stations.

The JARVIS II, or the Joint Autonomous Repair Verification and Inspection
System II, is a robotic cell that modernizes multiple inspection and repair
processes on the UH-60A, L and V main rotor blades and cuts the time for a
blade inspection and repair from three weeks to one week.

Cold spray works by taking a powdered material and propelling
it with a gas at temperatures below the material’s melting point
and at 1000 psi. When the powder hits the substrate of the repair
part, it mechanically bonds to the part.
Cold spray offers a unique repair benefit because of the lower
operating temperature used in the process. AMCOM is using
cold-spray technology for non-structural repairs, such as corrosion and surface defects. Cold spray creates a mechanical bond.
For surface repairs, the artisan builds the metal up on the surface for a strong repair.

Making Obsolete Parts

The UH-60 Black Hawk is the Army Aviation workhorse,
but it’s been around for more than 40 years. Finding repair parts
is not always easy. Some are obsolete or hard to get, requiring
months and sometimes years to replicate a part. In some cases,
the design files are unavailable, and the part producer would
have to reverse engineer the part to make a model or mold inorder to make a replacement part.
In 2021, Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) shipped a
UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to Wichita State University, thehome of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR).
NIAR’s engineers disassembled the entire aircraft and made a
3D scan, using handheld scanners, of all of the major structuralcomponents. They then merged the 3D scans with the old 2D
drawings to create a complete 3D-model file. Over the courseof more than a year, the NIAR team scanned roughly 5,000 individual parts, making a digital twin of the Black Hawk.
In July, NIAR started the process of making a digital twin of
an AH-64 Apache helicopter. The end results are models the
Army can give to vendors or Army artisans to create a part.
Scanning the parts and building the 3D-model file is on thefirst step.
Once each part is scanned and the 3-D model file is created,each part must then be qualified to ensure airworthiness. Every metal and polymer are different. The AM part may look thesame and fit the same but may not perform the same. To see
how each will react, each part is put through airworthiness tests/
review. For simple parts, that review may only take 30 days. For
more complex parts, the review could take five to six years.
Advanced manufacturing improves readiness. Rather than
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Lisa Hunter is the Public and Congressional Affairs director for the
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
38

October 31, 2022

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Special Focus u Aviation Support

ALL GRAPHICS BY PM AMSADeveloping and Delivering Relevant
Enabling Capabilities Focused on the
Future Fight By COL Burr Miller

AMSA Caps ISO LSCOT

DVE enables enhanced situational awareness for air crews
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spare components, a forward repair facility, and reach back tothe system’s original equipment manufacturer in support ofthe ongoing operational assessment.

he Army continues to evolve to meet emerging nearpeer threats in Large Scale Combat Operations. PEO
Aviation remains focused on modernizing, equipping,and sustaining Army Aviation to successfully conduct MultiDomain Operations (MDO) as part of the integrated joint force
while cultivating equipped, capable, and interoperable allies
and partners. In support of this, the Aviation Mission Systems
and Architecture Project Management Office (PM AMSA)
remains dedicated to supporting Army Aviation’s enduring
capabilities focused on the design, development, and deliveryof leading-edge, modular, open-system technologies, delivering
enabling capabilities across the enterprise with respect tomission systems processing and architecture; communications
and mission command; navigation and air traffic services; andground support equipment. In so doing, PM AMSA enables
decisive multi-domain operational capabilities necessary tocompete and win on the battlefields of today and tomorrow.

Communications and Mission Command

The Aerial Communications and Mission Command
Product Office (PdM ACMC) continues to migrate Aviation
Mission Planning System and Tactical Airspace Integration
System capabilities into the Integrated Mission Planning andAirspace Control Tools (IMPACT). IMPACT is a softwarecentric capability enabling convergence within the common
operating environment to meet evolving mission planning andairspace control operational needs. During the Army’s recent
Experimental Demonstration Gateway Exercise in April-Mayof this year, IMPACT facilitated the 82nd Airborne Division’s
ability to share and update mission planning and airspace data
between the command post, mounted and mobile-handheld
computing environments in support of operations.
The Air Ground Networking Radio (AGNR) team continued
its partnership with PdM A2E2’s AMCS team, focusing on thetechnical and programmatic alignment of both programs toensure AGNR is fielded in concert with AMCS. This coupling
will provide unparalleled interoperability between ground andAviation maneuver forces. The AGNR team continues integration efforts developing the UH-60M Modification Work Orderand adding the CH-47F as the next platform for integration.

Mission System Processing and Architecture

The Aviation Architecture and Environment Exploitation
Product Office (PdM A2E2) continues its work to produce, field,
and sustain the current Integrated Data Modem while simultaneously developing the future “digital backbone” via the Aviation
Mission Common Server (AMCS). AMCS will provide an open
architecture coupled with increased mission system computing/processing capabilities that will enable hosting of third-party applications including open systems interfaces, radio control software, and degraded visual environment (DVE).
PdM A2E2 continues to provide contractor logistics services
support for deployed aircraft equipped with the DVE System.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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October 31, 2022

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

41

October 31, 2022

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

field the identification-friend-or-foe AN/APX-123A Common
Transponder.
The Air Traffic Services team conducted site surveys andinstallations of the National Airspace Voice Recorder, Interim
Voice Switch Replacement, Precision Approach Radar 2020, DoD
Advanced Automation System/Standard Terminal Automation
Replacement System, Digital Airport Surveillance Radar, andInstrument Landing System at Army airfields globally.
PdM A3S also initiated Phase II of the Enhanced Aviation
Global Air Traffic Management Localizer Performance with
Vertical Guidance, Embedded Global Positioning System andInertial Navigation System (EAGLE) with Modernized GPS
User Equipment-M code (EAGLE-M) Program. Phase II builds
upon Phase I and completes the full airworthiness qualificationof all EAGLE-M configurations. EAGLE-M coupled with
MAGNA will ensure a more robust GPS solution is available toaircrews, increasing operational reach and survivability.
PdM A3S also continues early design efforts for an alternate
positioning, navigation, and timing capability for rotary wing
platforms to ensure Army Aviation maintains its ability to
execute missions in GPS denied environments.

Aviation Ground Power Unit 1.1 (AGPU 1.1) Sun Test

Future platforms include the AH-64E, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, andUH-60V. Additionally, the Aviation Radio Control Manager andeXtensible Flight System are now on contract for development tosupport an open system radio control capability.
Finally, PdM ACMC continues qualification efforts on a
crypto-modernized version of its current air-to-air radio
which will be designated the ARC-231A. The upgraded radio
will include the SATURN waveform to replace the obsolete
HAVEQUICK II standard.

Ground Support Equipment:

The Aviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) Product
Office remained actively engaged with fielding new andimproved capabilities while continuing to sustain over 20
fielded products supporting the enduring fleet of Armyaircraft. Significant efforts include fielding of the Self-Propelled
Crane, Aircraft Maintenance and Positioning Increment II
Expeditionary (SCAMP II) system, exceeding the 60% fieldedmark for Pitot Static Test Set modifications, fielding six of theNavigation and Air Traffic Services:

The Assured Airspace Access Systems Product Office (PdM
A3S) had a highly productive year delivering Multi-Platform
Anti-jam GPS Navigation Antennas (MAGNA) to support thefirst fielding to a Gray Eagle UAS company while continuing to

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AVIATION Magazine

42

2:01 PM
October2/17/22
31, 2022

eight funded Modified Flexible Engine
Diagnostic Systems, and successfully
moving through a competitive down
select for an improved Aviation Ground
Power Unit (AGPU 1.1).
The AGPU 1.1 program is PdM
AGSE’s top investment priority thatwill not only address critical capability
gaps for the CH-47 fleet, but it will also
be capable of supporting all enduring
fleet aircraft. The program is currently
undergoing test with user evaluations
to follow in the coming fiscal year.
The AGSE family of systems
continues to provide needed aircraft
diagnostic, repair, and servicing
capabilities to the enduring fleet as wellas establishing the baseline of groundsupport capability required to support
the Army’s future fleet.

Posturing for the Future

While we continue to field capabilities
to maintain operational relevance
today, we are exploiting game-changing
technologies to dominate contested
airspace in the MDO environmentof tomorrow. Aviation serves as a key
enabler of the Army’s success in MDO
by its inherent presence across thebreadth and depth of the battlefield. PM

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

43

October 31, 2022

ALL GRAPHICS BY PM AMSAAMSA Current-Future StateAMSA’s future architecture and modernization activities will
enable Aviation platforms to serve as a network node in supportof Mission Command in Joint All-Domain Command andControl (JADC2) Common Operating Environments ensuring
the future force’s ability to sense/detect, react, and converge
capabilities at the decisive point.
A2E2 remains focused on development of modular, open
Aviation Mission Computing Environment solutions thatwill rapidly introduce new capabilities and technology. The
current AMCS effort serves as the initial increment delivering
mission systems processing capabilities to the enduring andfuture fleets. The AMCS family of systems can be rapidly
expanded in the future via rapid integration of software andhardware in support of operational requirements as multiple
capabilities can be hosted on AMCS vice singular hardware
components. Additionally, feedback from aircrews currently
employing DVE will inform future requirements enhancing
aircrew safety, increasing battlefield lethality, and improving
aircraft survivability in the most austere environments.
A3S starts this coming fiscal year by conducting the firstflight of the EAGLE-M with continued MAGNA fielding to
the enduring fleet. When paired with the EAGLE-M navigator,
MAGNA provides Army Aviation a layered Assured Position,
Navigation and Timing capability improving lethality
and survivability. A3S will also continue installing andmodernizing fixed base air traffic control systems throughout
the year.
ACMC will deploy the Centralized Aviation Flight
Records System (CAFRS) version 5.0 in FY23 providing
new capabilities for ATS and minor upgrades to legacy
functions; this will be the last upgrade to CAFRS prior totransition to sustainment. As ACMC integrates and fields
IMPACT, AGNR, and ARC-231A they will work closelywith the PM AMSA Futures Cell to address emerging C5ISR
Modular Open Suite of Standards Mounted Form Factor(CMFF) requirements supporting modular communications
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

development. CMFF will shape prototype communications
chassis and card-based radio solutions which will greatly
improve Aviation platforms’ size, weight, power, and coolingconstraints. CMFF will also facilitate the ability to rapidly
integrate new waveforms and capabilities in response tooperational and threat environments. Additionally, the
ACMC team will continue IMPACT software development
to support integration of emerging Artificial Intelligence andMachine Learning technologies to optimize dynamic mission
changes and further reduce the sensor to shooter timeframe.
Finally, AGSE will complete PSTS Modifications next
year and will begin initial production and deployment ofapproved AGPU 1.1 systems to Army CH-47 units. AGSE will
also kick off prototype testing for an Aircraft Cleaning and
Deicing System beginning in FY27. As the Future Vertical Lift
platform programs mature, the AGSE team will be preparedto address any newly defined capability gaps associated withlegacy ground support equipment.

Connecting the Two - Ready Now and Relevant Tomorrow

The Army of 2030 will incorporate the capabilities of ourenduring and future fleets. To ensure we are ready to compete
and win in Large Scale Combat Operations in all domains,
our efforts to selectively sustain enduring capabilities while
ensuring the development of superior technologies for the
future fleet is critical.
Interoperability and convergence within the Joint Force will
determine our ability to succeed as we look to enable JADC2.
As Army Aviation continues to maintain the momentumof modernizing enduring capabilities to be ready now, weare simultaneously posturing and leveraging emergent
technologies for the future.
COL Burr Miller is the Project Manager, Aviation Mission
Systems and Architecture, Redstone Arsenal, AL.
44

October 31, 2022

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

45

October 31, 2022

Special Focus u Aviation Support

MOSA – The Army Aviation Modernization Moon Shot
By Mr. Matt SipeM

odern and relevant. Bothwords should describe systems
used by the Soldiers who defend our nation. They are obvious requirements for new systems; however,
the rub comes when trying to apply
these words to enduring systems.
With ever tightening budgets, thechallenge of modernizing enduring systems and making them more relevant issignificant. Every enduring system was, at
one time, the most modern and relevantmaterial solution available. The enduring
aviation systems will be paired with Future Vertical Lift systems to make up thefuture aviation fleet. The entirety of thisfuture fleet remaining modern and relevant is the aviation modernization ‘Moon
Shot.’ There is no shortage of ambition orchallenge, but it is a challenge that must
be vigorously pursued.
The core principles of Modular Open
Systems Approach (MOSA) provide apath or framework to tackle this problem space through some strategic moves
and adjustments to how Program Executive Office, Aviation (PEO AVN)
procures systems, capabilities, and products and then supports the sustainment
ARMY AVIATION Magazineof these procurements over their entire lifecycle. Modularity (being able tochange features at a more granular level)
and Openness (ensuring ideal freedomof action for the government to selectthe best supplier for that feature) cometogether, or at least should, in every
modernization decision – because everything that we sustain in the field canbe improved in a modular and open way.

The MOSA principles:

1. Establish an Enabling Environment
2. Employ Modular Design
3. Designate Key Interfaces
4. Select and Implement widely used,consensus-based standards
5. Certify Conformance

Creating a Competitive Landscape

The aviation community has a very robust industrial base, especially when considering both defense and commercial
sectors. PEO AVN is striving to not only
increase competition to help address affordability issues for the Army but also toincrease transparency relative to requirements and existing government systems.
This enables industry to pivot and make46

the needed adjustments to their businessmodels and investments to align with the
future procurement landscape.
The current state of this industrial
base, largely based on historical acquisition behaviors, creates bespoke components for each platform. In the ideal
future state, MOSA principles transformthe acquisition process, creating a vibrantmarketplace of components that enable
an enterprise-wide product architecture.
As PEO AVN program continues
to make key modularity decisions, additional Major System Components(MSC) with well-defined boundaries
and interfaces will be identified. With
each component specification that the
Army views with an enterprise lens
(working in collaboration with industry), the procurable landscape changes.
The introductions of MSCs, whether the
PEO AVN Prioritized Enterprise MSCs
or individual program identified MSCs,
has become a great way for the government to send strong demand signals toindustry on key investment areas.
These MSCs are the procurable components where we want to see morecompetition and expect modernization
October 31, 2022

U.S. ARMY GRAPHIC

Enduring Systems

As PEO AVN continues to transition
programs further into sustainment, they
will continue to remain modernized andrelevant. One of the biggest challenges
associated with sustainment is handlingconfiguration changes and obsolescence, especially given what has been
witnessed in the past few years relative
to supply chain issues. These obsolescence programs can offer an opportunity for the USG to pivot and pair theseopportunities with key modularity andopenness efforts to enable efficient andeffective obsolescence management aswell as opening the door to future modernization efforts. Furthermore, solving
these obsolescence challenges with enterprise solutions assists in the configuration management through the reduction of disparate systems, sub-systems,
components, etc.

Collaboration

Even before MOSA became a statutory requirement for all new start programs in 2017 with the National Defense
Authorization Act and then extended
the scope in 2021 to include modernization of enduring systems, PEO AVN began internal collaboration efforts acrossmajor programs. FVL programs helped
to highlight that there are better ways totackle modernization across the enterprise than the status quo and that collaboration internally and with industry
is critical to solving ‘Moon Shot’ kindsof challenges.
The MOSA Transformation Office
looks across new start programs andthose systems that will endure alongsidethem to identify synergies and methods
for enterprise MOSA concerns acrossthe fleet. Additionally, industry collaboration is substantially increasing
as well, primarily through the Vertical
Lift Consortium (VLC) and the Architecture Collaboration Working Group(ACWG). Any US company can participate in model review and investigation of
our explorative “sprints” by joining the
ACWG; likewise, as we move to specification details, standardized interfaces,and prototyping, companies can join the
VLC to participate in the emerging open
and competitive landscape.
Mr. Matt Sipe is the director for the
Modular Open Systems Approach(MOSA) Transformation Office, Program
Executive Office for Aviation, Redstone
Arsenal, AL.

updates. They are also key areas that willbe critical to driving alignment acrossthe future fleet and PEO AVN enterprise
to make modernization across the fleet
more achievable, especially within a fiscally constrained environment.
PEO AVN also realizes that the competitive landscape is also driven andsustained by the set of contracting vehicles actively utilized. Over the lasttwo decades, there have only been a few
programs that have begun to break themold of only using Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) centric vehicles;
however, the tides are turning. Gone willbe the days of being three years awayfrom having the right contract vehicle
available, thus reducing time to field andenabling lifecycle competition. With procurable MSCs being defined and strong
boundaries between things like Air Vehicles and Mission Systems being drawn,
contracts are beginning to follow. Thereis a clear need across the enterprise to
rapidly and easily reach OEMs, integrators, and technology suppliers. As futurecontract vehicles will reflect these needs
more and more, competition throughout
the lifecycle will also be enabled.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

47

October 31, 2022

2022 National Functional Award Winners
Army Aviation Association of America

Logistics Support Technician of
the Year Award
Sponsored by AAAA

Outstanding Logistics Support
Unit of the Year
Sponsored by AAAA

Army Aviation Materiel
Readiness Award
For a Contribution by a
Small BusinessSponsored by AAAACW3 Phillip R. Bogard
12th Combat Aviation Brigade
Katterbach, Germany

CW3 Ross Bogard serves as the Support
Operations Officer-Air (SPO-A) for the
12th Combat Aviation Brigade (12 CAB)
headquartered at Katterbach Army Airfield,
Germany. Throughout the preceding year,
his dedication and logistics expertise
directly enabled 12th Combat Aviation
Brigade to deploy two aviation battalions
by ground and air more than 1,000
miles from home station, sustain aviation
operations accounting for more than
4,355 flight hours in support of Operation
European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce(OEADR), and develop novel solutions to
unique and challenging logistics problems
that enabled 12 CAB to exceed DA goals
for readiness while providing a strategic
deterrent in the face of Russian aggression
in the European Theater. In addition, his
unfailing persistence and strict adherence
to regulation while managing the brigade’s
recoverable parts turn-in program(ZOAREP) throughout the calendar year
resulted in more than $18.5M worth ofrecoverable parts credit being returnedto the brigade’s flying hour program. His
direct hand in procuring several un-forecast
large purchases such as a collapsible
filtered air paint booth and enhanced aerial
firefighting equipment have drasticallyincreased safety for Aviators and Soldiers
throughout the formation. CW3 Bogard’s
achievements identify him as the Army
Aviation Association of America’s 2022
Logistics Support Technician of the Year.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Senior NCO:
1SG Karl N. Kurtz

Commander:
MAJ Jeffrey M. Frantz

Company D, 3rd Battalion,
160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment(Airborne)
Hunter Army Airfield, GA
D/3-160th SOAR (A) provided unparalleledaviation maintenance support to the 160th
SOAR (A) and elite Special Operation Forces
around the world. Over the past year, Delta
Company supported Special Operations aviation operations in three geographic combatant commander’s areas of responsibility andmore than 35 training exercises across thecontinental United States, while simultaneously
maintaining Aviation Unit and Intermediate
Maintenance capabilities at Hunter AAF, GA.
They completed 21 phases, 28 Modification Work Orders (MWOs), 134 MaintenanceEngineering Calls (MECs), resulting in a costsavings in excess of $4 million, and executed
more than 3,165 work orders on a fleet of 16
MH-47G and 10 MH-60M uniquely modified
helicopters. Delta Company’s maintenanceexcellence directly enabled the Battalion’s execution of its 5,964 flying hour program. They
maintained a near persistent presence in the
CENTCOM AOR supporting Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Inherent Resolve. As theRegiment’s maritime battalion, Delta Company
analyzed the unique challenges posed by conducting aviation maintenance in overwater andshipboard environments. The team conducted
over 60 days of aviation maintenance support
while embarked on US Navy vessels, enabling
real-world support to combatant commanders and four CONUS training events all while
maintaining a 100% Fully Mission Capable(FMC) rate. The remarkable performance by
D/3-160th SOAR(A) Soldiers clearly identifies
them as the 2022 AAAA Outstanding Logistics
Support Unit of the Year.
48

Pinnacle Solutions, Inc.
Huntsville, Alabama

Pinnacle Solutions Inc. provides materielreadiness support to the U.S. Army’s RQ7Bv2 Shadow Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Training Battalion, the 2nd Battalion, 13th
Aviation Regiment at Fort Huachuca,
Arizona. Pinnacle’s efforts supported
360 Army Aviation Unmanned Operator
students in completing 1,270.3 hours offlight training from 1 August 2021 to 31
July 2022. The Pinnacle team averaged
a Fully Mission Capable (FMC) rate of
91% for all associated aviation systemequipment, far exceeding the Army standardof 80%; and supports 63 end items valuing$36,174,156, the equivalent of four fully
fielded Shadow UAS units. The local fleet ismade up of 15 aircraft, 10 ground control
stations (GCS)/4 portable (P)GCS, 10
ground data terminals (GDT)/4 (P)GDT, 8
launchers, and 12 tactical automatic landing
systems. The Pinnacle team balances FMC
rates between end items on two airfields
during 20-hour-a-day operations to meet
the training mission, while sustaining
an aviation maintenance related class
A-C accident rate more than five percent
better than the U.S. Army-wide rate for the
Shadow UAS during FY 22. This focus anddedication to the training mission identifies
the Pinnacle Solutions team as the winnerof the 2022 AAAA Materiel ReadinessAward for Contributions by a Small Business
Organization.

October 31, 2022

2022 National Functional Award Winners
Army Aviation Association of America

Materiel Readiness AwardFor Contributions By An Industry
Team
Sponsored by AAAA

Army Aviation Materiel
Readiness AwardFor Contributions By A
Major Contractor

Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Soldier of the Year Award

Sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical
Systems, Inc.

Sponsored by AAAA

PeopleTecEnterprise Data Scienceand Analytics TeamM1 Support Services

SPC Antonio L. Feliz

Denton, Texas

Tactical UAS Detachment, MilitaryIntelligence Company,
Group Support Battalion, 7th Special
Forces Group (Airborne)
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

Huntsville, Alabama

PeopleTec is part of the ARSOAC Aviation Maintenance Directorate (AAMD),USASOAC(A), Enterprise Data Science &Analytics Team (EDSAT) which provides
business intelligence (BI) and automation
solutions supporting the annual execution of
a ~45,000-hour flight program, valued at~$280M. This 15-person team administeredand trained 2,555 users while developing,managing, and refining 476 solution products. These products spanned flight, maintenance, financial, and personnel data from
10 information systems, more than 100M
records, over 10+ years of historical and ongoing activities. Over the last year, the teamdelivered critical solutions including: a flying
hour program model, accurate to within 2%,
that enabled early detection of inflationary
impacts to mission; a work unit code correction model which cleans records at 100x a
human’s rate; an industry-leading computer
vision phase study that provides the basis
for improvement through digital simulation;and MRL – software that automates theCommander’s Aviation Maintenance Training
Program (AMTP) providing the first automated risk assessment worksheet for Army
Aviation maintenance. Comprised of Army
Aviation veterans, trained as data professionals, with more than 100 years of experience,
working alongside equally experienced andhighly proficient software/data engineersfrom PeopleTec, they are passionate andcommitted to improving our Soldiers’ ability
to fight and win the Army’s mission. Their
accomplishments clearly earned for them the2022 AAAA Materiel Readiness Award forContributions by an Industry Team.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

M1 Support Services made outstanding
contributions to the Materiel Readiness of
the United States Army Aviation Center of
Excellence by providing quality maintenanceand logistics support services for aircraft
assigned to the U.S. Army in support ofinitial entry and graduate aviation training
requirements at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. M1safely executed a 229,093 flight hour
program (14% increase over 2021),
involving 509 aircraft (12% decrease)in a high OPTEMPO environment where
maintenance operations occur 24 hours
per day, 7 days per week. Faced with
COVID-19 force protection requirements
and ever changing USAACE fleet sizeand composition, M1 led stakeholder
collaboration to solve complex problem
sets and grew its culture of continuous
improvement to benefit the USAACE
mission. A Continuous Improvement(CI) culture is naturally occurring as
maintenance and enabling Directorates
apply CI principles taught by M1 University
to reduce waste, streamline processes, andeliminate roadblocks. CI initiatives reduced
phase cycle time, improved maintenance/
logistics process flow and reduced
customer wait time. M1 achieved historic Ft.
Rucker levels of maintenance performanceby sustaining past achievements andapplying continuous improvement to drive
further progress: 9,614 more aircraft issued
to fly, FMC/NMCM/NMCS percentages
sustained at 2021 levels, and issuable
aircraft increased 7 aircraft per sortie. Thisfocus and dedication identify them as the2022 AAAA Materiel Readiness Award forContributions by a Major Contractor.
49

SPC Antonio Feliz is a 15W, RQ-7Bv2
Operator assigned to 7th SFG(A), GSB,
MICO, TUAS Platoon. He went throughmultiple joint training exercises, Special
Forces Basic Combat Course-Support(SFBCCS) and participated in five airborne
operations in less than three months
leading up to his deployment to Syria during
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in supportof Special Operation Task Force – Levant(SOTF-L). Once deployed, he quickly
adapted and demonstrated his proficiency
on the RQ-7Bv2 Shadow platform in acombat environment. During clearance
operations, he provided over-watch
eliminating imminent threats, resulting inthe successful interdiction of 128 Da’esh
fighters captured and two EKIA. As aswitchblade UAS tactical missile system
subject matter expert, he enabled multiple
kinetic strikes on several combatants during
attempts to attack partner force bases by
ISIS fighters. SPC Feliz flew the RQ-7Bv2
for a total of 470 combat hours in addition
to mastering Group I & II UAS. He served
a critical role in the Legion Air platoon
successfully conducting 383 flights and2,924 combat flight hours of ISR in supportof AOB-Syria and SOTF-L. Following his
redeployment, he was designated as thenext Unit SUAS Master Trainer. SPC Feliz’s
dedication and outstanding performanceclearly identifies him as the Army Aviation
Association of America 2022 Unmanned
Aircraft Systems Soldier of the Year.

October 31, 2022

2022 National Functional Award Winners
Army Aviation Association of America

Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Operations Technician of the YearAward

Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Unit of the Year Award
Sponsored by Textron Systems)

Sponsored by AAAACW4 Julian A. Caicedo
Company E, 2nd Battalion,
160th Special Operations Aviation
Regiment (Airborne)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
CW4 Julian Caicedo’s performance asa 160th SOAR (Abn) UAS Operations
Technician and Echo Company, 2-160th
Operations Officer is unmatched. He has
deployed to the CENTCOM Theater as the
Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA)UAS OIC at a site conducting 24-hour
operations in support of Joint Special
Operations Forces (SOF). While there,
he played an integral role in establishinga more secure area of operations forthe unit to safeguard personnel during
enemy attacks – just one instance of
his willingness to go above and beyond
requirements to help Soldiers. Additionally,
the company commander selected Julian
to plan, resource, and lead the Regiment’s
effort in rapidly deploying UAS anywherein the world. With minimal guidance on
how to rapidly deploy and provide 24hours of intelligence, surveillance, andreconnaissance (ISR), CW4 Caicedo
developed load plans working with the
air movements team, sought the lessons
learned of similar Air Force units, put
together an intelligence packet with muchneeded resources and information thatcan be utilized in any theater, and madecontacts with other SOCOM programs.
Most notable, he always put Regiment orBattalion projects aside any time a Soldier
needed mentorship or guidance. CW4
Caicedo’s achievements identify him as
the Army Aviation Association of America’s
2022 Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Operations Technician of the Year.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Senior NCO:SFC Robert Hennes

Commander:
CPT Robert Machamer

Tactical UAS Detachment,
Military Intelligence
Company, Group Support
Battalion, 7th Special
Forces Group (Airborne)
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

The TUAS Detachment, MICO, GSB, 7TH
SFG(A) successfully conducted 383 flights
and 2,924 combat flight hours of Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance in supportof Special Operations Task Force- Levantand AOB-Syria. The Detachment provided
critical ISR on 31 December 2021 during
rocket attacks both at Conoco and Shaddadi
outstations, resulting in a three-man rocket
team being identified, followed, and captured
by SFOD-A 5326 and Syrian Democratic
Forces. During clearance operations, the
TUAS Detachment sustained two linesof effort in providing ISR over-watch andeliminated an imminent threat to friendly
forces and civilian population, resulting in the
successful interdiction of 128 Da’esh fighters
captured and two EKIA within Al-Hawl IDP
Camp. The Detachment successfully enabled
AOB-Syria through the first Shadow feedcapable of Augmented Reality features via anorganic PED node. The successful integration
facilitated the creation and disseminationof mission critical intelligence, typically voidat an AOB level. This integration enabledover 25 successful type 1 and 2 operations
against Da’esh networks and drove SOJTFL’s development of a critical target package.
It later became a requirement for future TUAS
Detachments deployed under SOTF-L. The
Soldiers of the TUAS Detachment earned
recognition as the 2022 Army Aviation
Association of America’s Outstanding
Unmanned Aircraft System Unit of the Year.

50

Fixed Wing
Unit of the Year Award

Sponsored By: CAE USA Defense & Security)

Commander:
LTC Brent J. Pafford

Senior NCO:
CSM Timathy J. Bevis

15th Military Intelligence
Battalion(Aerial Exploitation)
Fort Hood, TX

The 15th MI BN (AE) is a multi-dimensional,
inter-discipline intelligence collection
organization tasked to maintain globally
responsive intelligence weapons teams(IWT) capable of tailorable and scalable
manned and unmanned aerial intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (A-ISR)
support to combatant commanders. Overthe past year, the unit supported antiterrorism and border defense operations infour different countries while maintaining arigorous training regimen from home station.
During this time, 15th MI BN (AE) flew morethan 18,500 flight hours while managing
the Army’s most extensive Aircrew Training
Program and supporting named operations.
Significant highlights from this period include
innovation of remote split operations aswell as the implementation of the PredatorIntegrated SIGINT Architecture (PISA)
modification. Operational Support of MQ-1Cs
and MC-12s include support to multiple
Special Operations units across the globe
in support of future deployment operations,
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol on the Texas
border and coast of California. In addition
to these training and operational highlights,
the 15th MI BN (AE) diligently coordinatednumerous personnel, aircraft, and equipment
movements. The logistical challenges
created by COVID-19 were overcome by
the unit’s innovative culture that ensured its
commitment to the global operations. The
accomplishments of the Soldiers, civilians
and Defense industry partners of 15th MI BN(AE) clearly identify them as the 2022 Army
Aviation Association of America’s Fixed Wing
Unit of the Year.
October 31, 2022

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

51

October 31, 2022

ALL PHOTOS U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY JOSE A. MEJIA

From the Field u

From Concept to Reality: FARA

Ecosystem Experimentation at the Tactical EDGE
By LTC Tanner SpryAs an integral component of Army
Futures Command’s Campaignof Learning, the Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional Team (FVL
CFT) hosted the second iteration of its
annual experimentation demonstration
event designed to stimulate innovationand test future warfighting capabilities
today. For three weeks in April and May,
23 Department of Defense organizations, including U.S. Special Operations
Command, 82nd Airborne Division,
Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA) and DoD Strategic
Capabilities Office, as well as a handfulof industry partners and seven international allied partners converged at Dugway Proving Grounds, UT, for this year’s
Experimental Demonstration Gateway
Event (EDGE).
As an experimentation demonstration, EDGE is neither equipment testing
nor an exercise. Instead, it is a uniquely
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

focused opportunity that resides in the
middle of the spectrum between testing and a training exercise. It allows
each participating technology to test interoperability and expand capabilities ina tactical environment alongside otherdeveloping technologies, all under thecommand and control of a tactical division headquarters and joint force commander.
To provide relevancy and context
to experimentation, EDGE22 leveraged a warfighter-based scenario set in
the United States European Command(EUCOM) theater of operations withinternational allies involving deep sensing ISR tasks, enemy IADS threats andsimultaneous air assault operations in
support of a linear barrier wet gap crossing to secure both near and far side objective areas. The 82nd Airborne Division served as the Combined Joint Task
Force Headquarters executing command52

A formation of Air Launched Effects (ALE)
conduct reconnaissance and target threat
identification during EDGE22 at Dugway Proving
Grounds, UT.

and control with an adaptive C2 networkfrom their Multi-Domain enabled division tactical command post (DTAC).
EDGE22 was used as a risk reduction
effort leading up to the Army’s annual
Project Convergence series to fundamentally achieve three outcomes. First
to capture what we learned throughout
the event to validate assumptions andfacts about our technologies, future investments, and transition opportunities
to deliver capabilities to the warfighter.
Second to identify what requirements
were validated, what requirements needadjustment based on facts and what requirements do we need to write to close
known capability gaps discovered during
October 31, 2022

our experimentation and demonstration. Last to have a robust data collection
effort, so that we can record and analyze
the data to write reports for future decision and archive it to preserve the lessons
learned for future experimentation anddemonstration events. The main themesfor EDGE22 included enhancements inInteroperability/International Partnerships, Aerial Tier Network resiliency,
Interactive Air Launched Effects (ALE)
Drone Swarming, Multi-INT Sensing
and Electronic Warfare, and Enhanced
Sustainment.

Interoperability and International
Partnerships

While building on lessons learned andadvancements made during previous experimentation events such as EDGE21
and Project Convergence 21, EDGE22
was unique as it was the first time FVL
CFT included the participation of international military partners. Soldiers fromseven allied nations – Italy, Germany,
Netherlands, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and France – participated inthis event. This involved incorporating
allied tactical forces and technologies
into the scenario, providing an early andnecessary opportunity for learning andcollaboration in the developmental process to progress interoperability as partof the larger modernization effort.
“Achieving interoperability is a massive systems engineering challenge,”
said Under Secretary of the Army Gabe
Camarillo. “There’s no substitute for getting out in the dirt and figuring out how
these systems are going to work together
and talk to each other.”
Achieving interoperability between
joint and allied partners is difficult. Standards in digital message formats, network
compatibility and Open Systems Architecture has proven vital to this effort, andthe U.S. Army and military cannot afford
to wait until capabilities are fielded tothink about this problem set.
BG Brandon Tegtmeier, deputy commanding general for the 82nd Airborne
Division, spoke to this while at EDGE22:“We never fight alone. We’re always with
our Allies and partners, and it’s always a
big effort to work interoperability at the
beginning of a fight or in a fight. Here,
we’re baking it into the technologies earlier with all the partners that are here.
That is a big step.”“What I think we’re witnessing here
is a revolution in the way military operations are conducted,” said Air Commodore Robert Adang, commander of
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

the Royal Netherlands Air Force Helicopter Command. “We come from atime where capabilities were standalone,
employed in their own specific domain.
Here, we see a network of very complex
systems that work with each other, partly manned, partly autonomous, achieving synchronized effects that haven’t
been possible until today.”

Aerial Tier Network

The Aerial Tier Network is the backbone to Army Aviation’s ability to fully
benefit from the next generation of technological advancements and transformational speed, range, and endurance that
the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft(FLRAA) and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) delivers. To dominate the lower tier of the air domain, joint
force commanders must achieve decision
dominance via accelerated kill chains at
extended distances. A stable and resilient
network is required to ensure Soldiers retain the ability to transmit data anywhere
and anytime it is relevant and needed on
the battlefield. With the help of the Network Cross Functional Team, PEO C3T,
the Aerial Tier Network established for
EDGE22 provided a multi-classification,
multi-domain network supporting both
DoD forces and Allied partners with digital and voice communications across theaerial tier. By experimenting with eight
different waveforms while performing
similar mission sets as those conductedin previous events, significant advancements are being made in bandwidth utilization and the ability to operate at extended ranges.

The Wolf Pack – Interactive Drone
Swarming

As an integral component of the
FARA ecosystem, ALEs provide a low-cost, semi-autonomous reconnaissancecapability that enhances the range, lethality, and survivability of our futuremanned platforms. During EDGE22,
multiple waves of ALE-Small swarms
with detect, identify, locate, report(DILR) and decoy payloads were deployed in efforts to overwhelm replicated enemy IADS threats. Following
IADS detection, FARA surrogates deployed additional ALE-Small swarms ofkinetic attack payloads for destructionof IADS and subsequent battle damage assessments of the targets. This was
the largest number of ALEs flown on a
mission to date, which is a significant
accomplishment, but the most valuablelessons learned were associated with simultaneous launch and recovery techniques and the interactive behaviors ofmultiple unmanned systems acting asa team to achieve a desired outcome.
In future events, the FVL CFT fully intends to capitalize on the progress madein this area and continue to leverage experimentation demonstrations such as
EDGE to inform the requirements anddevelopment of this evolving capability.

Multi-INT Sensing and Electronic
WarfareSignificant improvements were noteworthy regarding various sensors andour ability to conduct multi-INT sensing
across ELINT, COMINT, SIGINT, cyber,
SAR, and EO/IR areas of intelligence collection. In particular, the key to success
was to directly connect deep area sensing
to the tactical edge of the battlefield, suchas a fixed wing HADES surrogate scanning for threat emitter signals and refines
threat location and near-real time passingof actionable target data to shooters inposition to destroy threats. This afforded
the unit headquarters with the ability to

Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division equipped with IVAS and ENVG-Bs conduct an air
assault during EDGE22 at Dugway Proving Grounds, UT
53

October 31, 2022

German and Italian Soldiers report identified threats during an air assault while at EDGE22 at Dugway
Proving Grounds, UT.

geolocate threats and improve situationalawareness that enabled the use of kinetic and non-kinetic effects to counterand penetrate Anti-Access Area Denial(A2AD) systems. Coupled with the capabilities of Long-Range Precision Munitions, Army Aviation is demonstrating
the capability with these improved technologies to organically accomplish every
component of the Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit and Analyze cycle while focusing on
interoperability with Joint and Coalition

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

partners to provide options for combatantcommanders at the strategic, operational,
and tactical level.

Enhanced Sustainment

For the first time, this year’s event
incorporated the prototyping and demonstration of advanced maintenancecapabilities designed to meet FVL sustainment and affordability goals. The
sustainment demo highlighted ongoing
efforts and technological advancements

54

designed to increase systems’ reliability,
availability, and maintainability. These
capabilities will prove critical in Army
Aviation’s ability to maintain increased
OPTEMPO during Large Scale Combat Operations in a contested and expeditionary logistics environment. As
an example, some of the maintenancecapabilities demonstrated included avirtual reality version of a UH-60L for
maintainers to train and maintain maintenance task proficiency. ChipCheck/
MetalSCAN Oil Analysis Tools provides
on-site oil sample results and reduces
the need for reach-back support. Several software tools were demonstrated
that are physics based or leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning
to provide operational commanders
and maintenance planners an unprecedented ability to manage and predictthe component health and overall future
fleet readiness. All in all, these technologies will enable enhanced sustainment
efforts while lowering operation andsupport (O&S) costs and represent an
important element of the technology
development process.
LTC Tanner Spry is the Director for G35
Plans for the Future Vertical Lift CrossFunctional Team at Redstone Arsenal, AL.

October 31, 2022

AAAA Aircraft Survivability Equipment
Symposium is Back By CW4 Joe Pisano, U.S. Army RetiredF

ollowing a two-year hiatus forced
by COVID pandemic safeguards,
the Army Aviation Associationof America sponsored the Aircraft
Survivability Equipment Symposium(ASES) September 12-13 at the Griffin
Gate Marriott in Lexington, KY andsaw the largest number of attendees
since the first event in 1983. This
event provided the opportunity forgovernment and industry to discuss
the ever-changing environment inArmy Aviation, the current status ofArmy Aviation’s programs, and future
requirements necessary to support the
Aviation warfighter and combatantcommander as the Army remains
ready to fight and win today whiletransitioning from counterinsurgency
operations to large scale combat
operations and preparing for future
multi-domain operations.
The focus was on the ASES themeof “The Pace of Aviation Survivability– Adapt to Win” with Mr. Mark Kitz,
Program Executive Officer Intelligence,
Electronic Warfare And Sensors delivering the keynote and once again thisyear, provided funding for aviation mission survivability officers (AMSOs) fromaround the world to attend the event,including two days of follow-on govern-

Mr. Mark Kitz, Program Executive Officer
Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors,
provides the keynote address.

AAAA Senior VP, MG (Ret.) Walt Davis (left) moderates the Warfighter Leaders panel with (l to r) COL
Clint Cody, commander, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade; COL John McElveen, South Carolina State
Army Aviation Officer; and CW5 Jared S. Jones, Command Chief Warrant Officer, 97th Troop Command.

It was standing room only as AAAA President,
MG (Ret.) Tim Crosby, opened the 2022 AAAA
Aircraft Survivability Equipment Symposium in
Lexington, KY, Sep. 12, 2022.

AAPI PHOTOS BY JOE PISANO

ment sponsored classified sessions.
The ASES panels focused on warfighter leaders, industry/operational
support, other Services programs
review and future work. Other
speakers included BG Phillip Ryan,
commanding general of the U.S.
Army Special Operations Aviation
Command; Mr. Rodney Davis,
Deputy Program Executive Officer for
Aviation; Mr. Douglas Barnes, deputy

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

55

October 31, 2022

AAPI PHOTOS BY JOE PISANO

ASE continued from page 55

ASE Award winner for 2021, CW5 Elwood, with (lto r) MG (Ret.) Crosby, Mr. Kitz, Mr. Barnes, andMr. Dave Harrold, BAE Systems (award sponsor).

project manager ASE; COL Kevin
Chaney, project manager for Future
Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft; COL
Joshua Higgins, director of U.S. Army
Aviation Center of Excellence Capability
Development Integration Directorate,
representing Aviation Branch Chief, MG
Michael McCurry; COL Jay Hopkins,
chief of staff for the Future Vertical Lift
Cross-Functional Team, representing
the director, MG Walter Rugen; andMr. Bradley Thomason, director of theThreat Systems Management Officeat PEO Simulation, Training andInstrumentation (STRI) representing
the PEO, Ms. Karen Saunders.
The numerous aviation mission
survivability officers (AMSOs) from allcompos and locations around the world
also participated in two additional daysof government classified sessions.

AwardsThe National AAAA ASE, CW3
Christopher M. Allgaier Aviation
Mission Survivability Officer, andAvionics Awards from 2020, 2021,
and 2022 were presented to recognize
outstanding achievement. Five of thenine awardees were able to be present
and are pictured on the this page. The
awardees are:

ASE Award (Sponsored by BAE Systems)

2020, CW3 Charles A. Robertson,

ASE Award winner for 2022, SGT Arreola, with (lto r) MG (Ret.) Crosby, Mr. Kitz, Mr. Barnes, andMr. Harrold.

AMSO Award winner for 2022, CW4 Smith, with(l to r) MG (Ret.) Crosby, Mr. Kitz, CW4 Travis
Plummer, USAACE Survivability Branch, and Mr. Pat
Morrison from Miltope Corporation (award sponsor).

Avionics Award winner for 2020, SGT Darian
Billowitz, with (l to r) MG (Ret.) Crosby, Mr. Kitz,
and Mr. Mike Best from Cubic Defense Systems(award sponsor).

Stephanie Martin, wife of Avionics Award winnerfor 2021, SGT Derrick Martin, accepts the award
on behalf of her husband who is in Warrant Officer
Flight Training at Ft. Rucker, AL. With her is (l to r)
MG (Ret.) Crosby, Mr. Kitz, and Mr. Mike Best.

Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion,
223rd Aviation Regiment, 110th
Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker, AL;
2021, CW5 Bryan C. Elwood, Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations
Aviation Command, Fort Bragg, NC;and2022, SGT Lason T. Arreola, Company
D, 3rd Battalion, 160th Special
Operations
Aviation
Regiment(Airborne), Hunter Army Airfield, GA.

Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment,
82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort
Bragg, NC; and2022, CW4 Stephen J. Smith II,
Company D, 1st Battalion, 160th
Special Operations Aviation Regiment(Airborne), Fort Campbell, KY.

AMSO (Sponsored by Miltope Corporation)

2020, CW4 Sean M. Martin, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st
Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Campbell, Kentucky;
2021, CW3 Matthew T. Boedeker, 3rd

Defense Systems, Inc.)

2020, SGT Darian Billowitz, Company
D, 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne),
Fort Campbell, KY;
2021, SGT Derrick W. Martin,
Company D, 1st Battalion, 229th
Aviation Regiment
16th Combat Aviation Brigade, Joint
Base Lewis-McChord, WA; and2022, SGT Mills E. Braswell, Company
D, 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne),
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.
The Symposium is back on track
and included an exhibit hall with 24
vendors and a mix of over 400 military,
civilian and industry attendees.
CW4 (Ret.) Joe Pisano is the editor of
ARMY AVIATION Magazine.

Attendees mingle among the 24 exhibits at the ASE Symposium.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Avionics Award (Sponsored by Cubic

56

October 31, 2022

SPECIAL FEATURE:
80th Anniversary ofArmy Aviation

Army Aviationin 1973-1982:
A Decade of Transition
AAPI FILE PHOTO

By General Robert M. Shoemaker, U.S. Army Retired

Editor’s Note: In celebration of the 80th
Anniversary of Army Aviation, we
continue reprinting a series of articles fromthe December 1992 50th Anniversary
issue of ARMYAVIATION Magazine
penned by many of the original pioneers
in each of the remaining issues this year.

At the start of the fourth decadeof Army Aviation, the U.S. Army
had just finished its withdrawal
from Vietnam. Retrenchment rather
than expansion was the order of theday. The production of new aviators
was cut back from its peak of 7,800 in1969 to an annual total of only 1,255 in
1973. Aviation School activities wereconsolidated at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Fort Wolters, Texas was closed, andindividual aviator training at Fort
Stewart, Georgia was ended.
During the 1970s, production of new
aircraft was sharply curtailed. The sparesproduction base atrophied as the smaller
Army fed on the abundance of spares
left over from war-time stocks. Aviationmaterial managers gave priority todevelopment programs for new attack
and troop lift helicopters and to productimprovement programs for helicoptersbrought back from Vietnam. But the
major aviation story of the decade was
the officer aviator’s search for an identity.
A discussion of the identity crisis is at
the end of the summary.
In the 1960s, Army Aviation could
claim to have been at the forefront ofchange and progress in the Army; fromthe Howze Board, through Air Assault
testing, and the fighting in Vietnam.
But in the 1970s, the Army as a whole

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

went through a wrenching processof rebuilding, reorganizing, andrefocusing. Army Aviation can claim aprominent – but not preeminent – rolein this decade of transition.
The Army had to recruit its soldiers
in a draft-free environment, with little
support and often active hostility fromthe media, academia and even elementsof government. At the same time,
it was necessary to rebuild an NCO
Corps which had been badly used
up during the Vietnam War, and to
retrain an Officer Corps which tried tocompensate, often poorly, for the lackof trained sergeants. It was a decade ofaustere budgets, and so many shortagesof people and material that an Army
Chief of Staff, General Shy Meyer,
described the force as a “hollow army.”

The Formation of MASSTER

But even while the Army was besetwith the extraordinary challengesof reshaping and rebuilding, Armyleaders in Washington had the wisdom
to commit scarce resources to a
substantial investment in the Army’s
future. A test and experimentationcommand (initially called MASSTER,
later TCATA, then TEXCOM) was
activated at Fort Hood, Texas withseveral important areas of investigation.
One of the MASSTER tasks was toconduct troop tests of an Air Cavalry
Combat Brigade (ACCB). In order to
get a troop test unit, the 1st Armored
Division at Fort Hood in 1971 was
reflagged with the 1st Cavalry Divisioncolors and reorganized into the triple
Capability (TRICAP) configuration.
57

GEN Shoemaker commanded the firstexperimental Aerial Combat Recon Company,
and in 1962 he served on the Howze Board.
Following three tours in Vietnam, he organized
the Army’s First Cav Air Attack Brigade. He later
served as Commanding General, the 1st Air Cav
Division, III Corps and FORSCOM.

The First Team’s 1st Brigade (Armor)
included two tank battalions and one
mechanized infantry battalion, the 2nd
Brigade (ACCB test unit) was madeup of one Air Cavalry Squadron withlarge troops of 31 helicopters, and a
new unit called an Attack Helicopter
Squadron with troops composed of 12
Scouts (OH-58) and 21 Cobra/TOW.
The ACCB also had an organic Support
Battalion with supply, maintenance,andtransportation
capabilities
including a company of 16 Chinooks.
The 3rd Brigade (Air Mobile) consistedof three light infantry battalions. The
227th Assault Helicopter Battalion with60 troop carrying Hueys and 12 Cobras
was added to the normal division
troops.

Evaluating TRICAP

Although the TRICAP Division
was organized for pragmatic reasons
having to do with resource availability
and principally to provide a test bed
for the ACCB, the division looked sointeresting it was decided to assign
MASSTER the additional task of testingand evaluating the TRICAP divisionitself. A series of ACCB and TRICAP
troop tests was conducted at Fort Hood
October 31, 2022

in 1971 and 1972. They resulted in
the Department of the Army decision
to make the Air Cavalry Combat
Brigade a separate brigade (6th Cavalry
Brigade) and to assign it to III Corps at
Fort Hood.
The TRICAP tests showed that the
TRICAP division worked in the fieldand could be controlled and supported.
But analysis of the Army troop basis andlike deployment scenarios developed
no compelling reasons why the Armyshould add a sixth type of division(TRICAP) to the five already in theforce structure (Infantry, Armored,
Mechanized
Infantry,
Airborne
Infantry and Air Assault). Therefore,
at the conclusion of the tests, DA
directed that the 1st Cavalry Division
be converted to a standard Armored
Division.
With the return of the Army from
Vietnam, the legacy of the Air Assault
Division was retained in the colorsof the 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault). This division had converted
to the Air Assault configurationin Vietnam in 1969 and, upon
return to Fort Campbell, Kentucky,
enthusiastically took up the challenge
as the Army’s only air assault division.
A major high point was the movementof the entire division to Germany in1976 where it participated successfullyin the annual REFORGER exercise.
A pivotal aviation event occurred in
October 1975 when approximately 50
senior Army leaders assembled at Fort
Hood for TRAINCON 75; two days ofdemonstrations and conferences on
the operations, tactics, and trainingof Army Aviation units. The group
included the Army Chief of Staff
and the Commanding Generals of
TRADOC, FORSCOM, DARCOM,
Army Corps, Divisions, and BranchTraining Centers. The day and night
live fire demonstrations put on by the
6th Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) werefocused on the Warsaw Pact threat.
At the meeting, the top leaders of the
Army renewed their commitment for astrong aviation force with modernizedequipment as an integral part ofArmy forces. This strong support
was demonstrated by the designationof helicopter systems as two of the“big five” high priority development
programs for the 1970s.
By the end of the decade, thesedevelopment efforts paid off with thestart of production and fielding of
the UH-60 Black Hawk, a true squad
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

carrier; and successful development of
the soon-to-be-fielded AH-64 Apache.
(The top quality of these helicopters
was demonstrated by their superb
battlefield performance in later years inPanama and Southwest Asia.) Principal
product
improvement
programs
were the upgrade of the Chinook
helicopters to the much more capable
Delta configuration and a series ofincremental improvements to the OH58 Scout and AH-1 Cobra.

Emerging Night Doctrine

There were smaller, but significant,material developments during the decade. The promise of true 24 hour, allweather helicopter capability took astep forward as emphasis was placed on
systems for night vision, target acquisition, fire control, and position location.
Rudimentary experiments conductedby MASSTER in 1972 using first generation night vision goggles, developed
originally for ground use, showed thepromise (and limitations) of image intensification devices to permit combat flying
under most night conditions. During thedecade, these devices were modified andimproved to enhance their capability forhelicopter use. Development of target
acquisition and fire control components
brought improved direct vision optics,
infrared viewing devices, helmet mounted sights, mast mounted optics, and use
of fiber optics.
There was experimentation anddevelopment in ways to enhancesurvivability of helicopters: paints to
reduce optical as well as infrared andradar signatures, cockpits with flat
instead of curved plexiglass to reducereflective glint, instruments to warncrews of enemy radar operation andlock on and shielding to screen exhaust
heat in order to reduce vulnerability toheat-seeking warheads. While manyof these developments appeared to be
helpful, experiments at Fort Hunter
Ligget and Fort Hood, and the Ansbach
trials in Germany continued to showthat suitable flight tactics in the Nap of
the Earth (NOE) remained the aviator’s
primary way to survive – and win.
No breakthroughs were made in hiding
helicopters on the ground – although
Lieutenant General Robert R. Williams
made the tongue-in-cheek suggestionthat choppers be rolled over and allowed
to screw themselves into the earth.
The cumulative impact of thesematerial activities contributed to somesignificant secondary effects on the58

development of Army Aviation:n The costs of helicopters and theiraccessories escalated sharply.
n The number of aircraft dropped as
fewer, but more capable, helicopters
replaced older systems.
n Support structure became heavier
and more sophisticated as test equipment and special tools became more
complex.
n A trend of centralization and consolidation of helicopters in larger units
culminated in the decision near the
decade’s end to consolidate divisional
aircraft in an aviation brigade.

Personnel Issues

Turning now to the aviation people
situation, the Army’s warrant officer
aviator program continued to be agreat success although there was awidespread perception that flight pay
was inequitable and inadequate. The
quality of the enlisted aviation force
maintained a high level in spite of
turbulence caused by changing MOS
designations and the strains of very
austere peacetime manning. However,a series of personnel actions taken by
Congress, OSD, and DA during the1970s had a substantial cumulative
impact on officer aviators.
Some of these key actions were:n A large Reduction in Force (RIF) of
captains in 1973 impacted very heavily
aviators.
n Congress and OSD began to micromanage pilot utilization and training
aggressively. Their basic approach was apilot is a pilot is a pilot. Policies often did
not recognize that training and career development needs of Army aviator officers(building company and battalion teams
and integrating them in the combinedarms force) were different from their Air
Force and Navy counterparts.
n In 1974, Congress established the“gate” system for aviator pay, whichplaced high value on cockpit utilizationof aviators but little value on aviator assignments to teach themselves and the
Army at large how to get maximum
combat effectiveness for expensive aviation units.
n In the late 1970s, as a means for compensating for a severe aviator shortage,
the Army announced policies of differing
branch schooling, curtailing “ground” assignments, and assigning majors to captain aviation posts, thus denying many
aviators timely assignments to improvetheir value to the Army.
n At the start of the decade, the Army
October 31, 2022

Chief of Staff (General Westmoreland)
was an aviator. In 1978, the majorcommanders of the Army troop units
were aviators (Europe – General
Blanchard; Korea – General Vassey;
CONUS, Hawaii, Alaska, Panama –me). At the same time, the commanderof U.S. Readiness Command was anaviator – General Hennessey.
In a 180 degree policy turn, theArmy – which in 1970 had sent selectedcolonels and generals to flight school –by 1980 had eliminated field grade andgeneral officer flight training programsand discouraged colonels and generals
who were aviators from using their
flying skills unless they were assigned
to a specific aviation slot.
n During the decade, Army officer personnel management became increasingly centralized and bureaucratic. Career“specialties” were adopted (personnel,
operations, etc.) which, together withbasic branch assignments, would be
used to guide the development of expertise through repetitive assignments andtraining. Initially, aviation was neithera specialty nor branch. Later, Specialty
Codes were prescribed for aviators.
n In 1979, the Army announced new

aviator career patterns and directed that
85% of officer school classes would becomprised of second lieutenants directlyfrom their branch basic courses; a change
from earlier policy in which lieutenants
were required to have two years service
before entering flight training. The
other 15% of the class could be filledwith officers with less than five years ofcommissioned service.
n The various branches specified indetail which company grade officers
must do to become “branch qualified.”
But their branch career patterns did
not allow time for company grade
aviators to undergo flight training andjump through the designated branchhoops to become “real” artillerymen,
infantrymen, tankers, etc. The result wasthat at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where Army
Aviation was born, it was understoodby young officers that it could no longer
be possible to be qualified artillerymen
and also an aviator. Parallel perceptions
were shared by lieutenants at the othercombat arms schools.
n Comments by some generals andsome senior aviators that modern
Army aircraft were becoming socomplex that officer aviators needed toPain–Free Flying
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59

spend full time on technical aviation
matters blurred the distinction between
officer and warrant officer aviators,
and left unanswered the question of
how aviation leaders would learn tointegrate aviation capabilities into theground battle. Such comments further
confused aviators as to what the Army
expected of them.
The net result was a growing crisisof confusion and concern among
officer aviators. Personnel policies were
driving the officer aviator out of the
Army mainstream.
What to do about this crisis would bea major challenge as the fifth decade ofArmy Aviation began.
Statement of Ownership, Management, And Circulation(Required by PS Form 3526)
Title of publication: Army Aviation (ISSN
0004-2480). Date of filing: October 1, 2022.
Frequency of issue: Monthly, except April
and September (10). Annual subscription
price: $30.00. Location of known office of
publication: 593 Main Street, Monroe, CT
06468-2806. Location of headquarters or
general business office of the publisher:
Same. Publisher: William R. Harris, Jr.,
593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806.
Editor in Chief: William R. Harris Jr. Owner:
Army Aviation Publications, Inc. (AAPI), 593
Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468. Known
bondholders, mortgagees, and other security
holders owning or holding 1% or more of
the total amount of bonds, mortgages orother securities: None. The average no. of
copies each issue during the preceding 12months, and the actual number of copies of
the issue published nearest to the filing date(latter appears in parenthesis) were: a. Total
Number of Copies (Net press run): 19530(19780); b. Paid Circulation Mailed OutsideCounty Paid Subscriptions Stated onPS Form
3541(Include paid distribution above nominal
rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange
copies) 18342 (18975); c. Total Paid
Circulation 18353 (18987); d. Free or Nominal
Rate Distribution (By Mail and Outside theMail) (1): 85 (85);(3): Free or Nominal Rate
Copies Mailed at Other Classes Throughthe USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail) 1151 (805);
e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution(Sum of 15 d (1) and (3): 1236 (890); f. Total
Distribution (sum of 15C and 15e): 19589(19877); g. Copies Not Distributed 187(175); h. total (Sum of 15f and 15g): 19776(20052); Percent Paid and/or Requested
Circulation (15c/15fx100): 92.8% (95.5%).
I certify that the statements made by me inthis statement and dated October 1, 2022 arecorrect and complete. William R. Harris Jr.,
Publisher.
October 31, 2022

AAAA

u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT

Wreaths Across America Supports
the AAAA Scholarship Program
By MG Jessica Garfola Wright, U.S. Army Retired

E

The mission of Wreaths Across America is to Remember, Honor and Teach.
For 2022, the Wreath Across America theme is “Find a Way to Serve.” This
is who we are as an Aviation community because all members of AAAA haveand continue to serve – professionallyand personally.
The Scholarship Foundation’s Wreaths
Across America fund raising campaign issuccessful because of each one of you, I
urge you to participate in this campaign.
Sponsoring a wreath for $15.00 honors
a veteran and supports scholarships for
AAAA members and family members.
The AAAA Scholarship Foundation will receive $5.00 for every wreath

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

sponsored through the AAAA website
https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/
160022. In addition, my husband,
Chuck, and I will match the first $1,000
raised through Wreaths Across America for the AAAA Scholarship Fund, as
will BG (Ret.) Mike Flowers and Mr.
Tommy Marks – thank you, Mike andTommy!
This year on December 17th, our volunteers will take the wreath you sponsor, recite the veterans name and place
it by their headstone. Please help us
start the process.
Henry Ford said, “…Coming together
is the beginning, Keeping together is
progress, Working together is success.”

60

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA GRAPHIC

ach December, on National Wreaths AcrossAmerica Day, volunteers participate in wreathlaying at Arlington National Cemetery and more than
2,100 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.

Come together and make our campaign
a huge success by sponsoring a wreath
today at https://wreathsacrossamerica.
org/pages/160022.
MG (Ret.) Jessica Garfola Wright is
a subcommittee member of the AAAA
Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Fundraising
Committee.

October 31, 2022

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

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,
Inc. from September 2021 through September 2022.The list includes donations received for all scholarships, as well as the General Fundwhich provides funding to enable the chapter, corporate, heritage and individual matching fund programs as well as national grants. Every
penny donated to the Scholarship Foundation goes directly towards scholarships as a result of the Army Aviation Association of America
subsidizing all administrative costs (minus investment brokerage fees).
190th Assault Helicopter
7th Squadron 17th Air Cav Association
AAAA Air Assault Chapter
AAAA Arizona Chapter
AAAA Badger Chapter
AAAA Bluegrass Chapter
AAAA Colonial Virginia Chapter
AAAA Connecticut Chapter
AAAA Cowboy Chapter
AAAA Delaware Valley Chapter
AAAA Gold Standard Chapter
AAAA Idaho Snake River Chapter
AAAA Johnny O Cluster Chapter
AAAA Keystone Chapter
AAAA Lindbergh Chapter
AAAA Minuteman Chapter
AAAA Mount Rainier Chapter
AAAA North Star Chapter
AAAA North Texas Chapter
AAAA Oregon Trail Chapter
AAAA Savannah Chapter
AAAA Southern California Chapter
AAAA Tarheel Chapter
AAAA Tennessee Valley Chapter
AAAA Thunder Mountain Chapter
AAAA Voodoo Chapter
AAAA Washington-Potomac Chapter
Sidney Achee-IHO “The Originals” Cub Club
Aircrafters, LLC
Amazon Smile
Ameripack Inc.
Apache Team Project Office S3Dale Armstrong-IHO 190th Assault Co.
Cribbins Speakers Gift
Army Otter Caribou Association, Inc.
Mike & Daphne Arthur
Daphne & Mike Arthur-IHO Maxwell Guida
ASE Speaker Gift
David J. Ashcraft-IHO MAJ T.Ashcraft
Axient/QuantiTech, Inc.
Baretta’s Optics Division-IHO Susan Yellen
Elisabetha Baugh-IHO COL Harry Townsend
Elisabetha Baugh-IHO COL Sidney Achee
Margaret & Donald Beatty
Sandra & Todd Becker
Becker’s Air Powered Sweeping, Inc.
Bell Textron Inc.
Michael L. Bell-IHO Harry Townsend
Joseph & Helen Bergantz
Paul & Celeste Bogosian
John S. Bolton-IHO CSM Isaac B. Sheffield
Mary & John Burke
Gordon Burton
Harold W. Byars
Cynthia S. Campbell-IHO CW4 R. Campbell
Thomas & Kate Carroll-IHO A. Bobra Harris
Combined Federal Campaign
Richard Clemens-IHO Susan Yellen
Kevin S. Cochie
Randall & Sharon Cochran
Danny Charles Cox
Christy Dailey-IHO Susan Yellen
Dell L. Dailey
Thomas Dannenhoffer

James Darcy
Gail Davis-IHO Don & Ruth Luce
Walter L. Davis-IHO CW5 Lee Tutin, Ret.
Digiflight, Inc.
ELEIT Technology Inc.
John Conrad Fabie
Phil Farrar
Jamie W. Felgenhauer
Denise FitzGerald-IHO Walter Jerome Kohls
Michael C. Flowers
Ryan H. Forshee
Jeffrey & Vanessa Fowler
Vanessa & Jeffrey Fowler-IHO Maxwell Guida
Suzan & James Freeman-IHO Frank Intini
Michael E. Freeman-IHO Harry Townsend
General Atomics Aeronautical
Paul Gierow-IHO Morgan Rae Kurowsky
Jon Graft-IHO Joel R. Graft
Thomas O. Graft
Mark W. Grapin
Shirley Griffith-IHO 1LT Kathryn M. Bailey
Gulfstream Aerospace
Jeffrey Scott Gyursik
H2L Solutions, Inc.
Dan E. Hackney
William R. Harris, Jr.
Thomas M. Harrison-IHO Dr. Harry Robertson
Kellie Hauenstein-IHO Maxwell Harris Guida
Lynne Heath
Ralph C. Hedden
James & Joyce Hesson
High Desert Chapter
William F. Hipple-IHO Families of the Fallen
Olivia and Gerald Hipp
David Hoffman
James E. Hyers
James T. Jackson
JACS Aircraft Certification Specialists
Mary & Arlo D. Janssen
Marsha A. Jeffers-IHO Paul Bogosian
Aric & Layne Jensen
Johnson & Johnson
Larry & Linda Jonas-IHO COL Billy Richburg
Randolph W. Jones
Kathryn’s High Tee-IHO 1LT Kathryn M. Bailey
Jon Katz-IHO Jane Graft
Richard D. Kenyon
Lauren Kerns-IHO Mark Peterson
Nicholas A. Koeppen
Kopis Mobile LLC
Carl J. Kreisel
James F. Krueger
Steven J. Labows
Jacqueline & Jeffrey Langhout-IHO MG T. Crosby
Leidos, Inc.
William David Loftin
M1 Support Services
Tommy L. Marks
Jeffery A. Marlow
Crystal Martinez
Thomas McGurn
Jeremiah F. McNamara-IHO Sidney Achee
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Dennis M. Morris

MSB Analytics, Inc.
Stephen Mundt-IHO Susan Yellen
Donald T. Munsch, Munsch & Co. Aeromechanics
Andy Musfeldt
Navigator Development Group, Inc.
Gary & Bonnie Nenninger-IHO Paul Bogosian
Network for GoodJohn E. Niamtu-IHO WO Steve Morgan
Northrup Grumman Systems Corp
David Michael O’Briend
Rudolph Ostovich
Roman Papierz
William F. Parker-IHO Susan Yellen
Patriot Taxiway Industries
Mark Pearson-IHO LTC (Ret.) Daniel A Lenz
Peduzzi Associates Limited
Phantom Products Inc.
Piasecki Foundation
Linda & Danney Pickard
James H. Pillsbury
Pinnacle Solutions
Sabrina L. Powell-IHO Jack Dotterer
Nicole Powell-Dunford
Kenneth J. Quinlan-IHO CW5 Lee Tutin, Ret.
R2C Inc.
Marc L. Rassler
Steward E. Remaly
Jaros Rickmeyer
Marilyn Rickmeyer
Roberson Giving Fund
Robertson Fuel Systems
Fredric Robins
Galen Rosher-IHO CW3 James White
Galen Rosher-IHO LTC Dennis McMahon
Robert E. Ross
Jon Elton Ruble-IHO CW5 Douglas A. DeBoer
Jon Elton Ruble-IHO MAJ Trevor Joseph
Jay Rush
Henry C. Ruth, III Ret.
Latny & Jonathan Salt
Michael Schrumpf-IHO MG Molinelli & COL O’Grady
Nancy Shaffer-End-IHO 1LT Kathryn Bailey
Shashy Family Charitable Fund
Mary & William Shelt-IHO Families of the Fallen
Susan & E.J. Sinclair-IHO Susan YellenPeter H. Smart
Brian T. Smith
Mark & Judy Smith
Evelyn A. Soucek-IHO MG Benjamin Harrison II
Monica T. Southerland
Sparrow Tang
The OV-1 Mohawk Association
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Vietnam Veterans-227th Assault Battalion
Henry H. Waller
William D. Wolfinger
Wreaths Across America
Michelle F. YarboroughMichelle Yarborough-IHO Becky Pillsbury
Michelle F. Yarborough-IHO Robert Soncrant
Howard Yellen-IHO Susan Yellen
Yulista Holding, LLC
The Zieff Family Fund Inc.-IHO Bill Harris

IHO – In Honor Of

For more information about the Foundation or to make a contribution, go online to www.quad-a.org; contributions can also be mailed to
AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc., 593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

61

October 31, 2022

AAAA

u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORTAAAA Chapter Affairs By LTC (Ret.) Jan Drabczuk

I appreciate the support from CPT Samuel Slater, Chapter President, for authoring and sharing this information to our membership.

AAAA’s Most Recent Chapter

Many of the Green Mountain Boys
went on to serve in the American
Revolutionary War. With Ethan
Allen at the helm, they captured Fort
Ticonderoga at Lake Champlain on May
10, 1775, and played major roles in thebattles at Hubbardton and Bennington.
The Green Mountain Boys continues
to this day as the informal name of the
Vermont National Guard. Vermont iscurrently home to C Co., 3-126th AVN(AA); Det. 2, C Co., 1-224th AVN (SS);
Det. 1, D Co. 1-224th AVN (AA); andDet. 2, B Co., 245th AVN (OSA).
The Green Mountain Boys Chapter
was established to directly support thestate's small Aviation community andfamily. This is accomplished throughnetworking with local industry partners
in the Green Mountain State. Providing awards and recognition for theirservice members, family members andsupporters. Establishing the birth of
the Chapter’s first scholarship fund. But
most importantly, a way for the Chapter
to all stay connected while they continue to serve as well as staying connected
well past retirement.
The Chapter currently has roughly
70 members with a healthy mix ofcurrently serving aviators, retirees, aswell as industry partners such as BETA
Technologies, Liquid Measurement
Systems, Omni Medical Systems,
Concepts NREC, and they look forward
to future growth. The Chapter intends
to focus this year on increasing its
membership and outreach with the local
businesses and supporters. With many
deployments on the horizon, they hope
to increase the Chapters budget and
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

structure to best support their Soldiersand Families in the next year.
Chapter Activities
The Green Mountain Boys Chapter
organized its activities into three mainpriorities this inaugural year. First, building their Scholarship fund; Second, collaborating with local industry members;
Third, creating a strong support network
for their members and families leading
into a large deployment year.
Their first, and largest event of theyear, is their scholarship golf tournament
which they hosted at the end of August.
This is a large undertaking in the firstyear of the Chapter, but many members
stepped up to assist with getting thisoff the ground. A large shout out to the
Minuteman Chapter for providing themwith templates and materials to get them
vectored on course! Their goal is to beable to award two to three scholarships
next year, and to continue to do so year
after year.
Second, they are growing theiroutreach program with a newly
appointed “VP of Industry Affairs”.
Having worked in the Aviation industry
for many years, the Chapter VP isleveraging his ability to connect withother businesses to see how they
can best support each other’s goals.
Additionally, they look to invite current
industry partners to their quarterly
meetings as guest speakers to givecurrent serving members insight into
other opportunities in the civilian sector
within the State.
Third, and most importantly, building
a support network for all members,
62

AAAA
CHAPTER

AAPI GRAPHIC

V

ermont’s first AAAA Chapter was recently
started at the beginning of this calendar year.
Affectionately known as the Green Mountain Boys,
they have deep history that is connected to Ethan
Allen and the Green Mountain Boys dating back to
the 1760s.

and non-members, within their small
community. Deployments are toughon everyone, there is no doubt about
that. The Chapter’s goal is to continue
to support theirOPTION
ever-growing
familyA
with future events throughout the
deployment years with fun social events
like a dinner cruise on Lake Champlain,skiing trips to Stowe, or just an informal
get together at their flight facility to help
take the stress off the family members
while their loved ones are overseas.
Welcome to Our AAAA
FamilyThe Green Mountain Boys Chapter isproud to serve Soldiers, Army Aviationand the community throughout the greatState of Vermont. The Chapter welcomes
all current, future, and retired membersof the active, reserve, and retired Army
Aviation community as well as industry
employees working on Aviation products
within the area. We are glad to have
our newest Chapter recognized. For
more information on Vermont’s Green
Mountain Boys Chapter please contact
the Chapter President at samuel.t.slater2.
mil@army.mil.
Feel free to contact me if you needhelp for your Chapter, Executive Board
support, would like your Chapter featured in the AAAA magazine or to
obtain clarification of National procedures. I can be reached at jan.drabczuk@quad-a.org. I look forward to working
with you and supporting AAAA.
LTC (Ret.) Jan S. Drabczuk
AAAA VP for Chapter Affairs
October 31, 2022

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u
AAAA Chapter News

Aviation Center Chapter

Rising Sun chapter president, LTC Courtney
Kiluk, and VP Awards, CSM Marcell Scott,celebrate in regional garb during the Bon
Odori festival Aug. 6, 2022 at Camp Zama,
Japan. The Bon Odori festival is a Japanese
Buddhist custom in which they honor the
spirits of their ancestors. It is a summer
festival, with singing and dancing to theenergetic beat of drums, gongs, and thesweet melody of flutes. It has been celebrated
in Japan for more than 500 years.

MAJ (Ret.) Victor Estes is inducted
into the Bronze Honorable Order of St.
Michael by LTC Audrey Boenker, Deputy
Director, Medical Evacuation Concepts
and Capabilities Directorate, Ft. Rucker, AL
during a May 23, 2022 ceremony at Ft.
Rucker. Estes served as a research pilot
and detachment commander for the U.S.
Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory.
After retirement he continued to serve in the
research operations group at the lab..

Contact us at quad-a.org

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

COL Barton L. Johnke is inducted into
the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michaelby COL Joshua P. Higgins, director of theAviation Capability Development Integration
Directorate, during a July 15, 2022 ceremony
at Ft. Rucker, AL. Johnke was recognizedfor his impactful accomplishments over his
25 year career, culminating as the Aviation
Capability Manager-Lift.

CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY KELLY MORRISCHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

Want to change your AAAA
Chapter Affiliation? EASY!

On July 8, 2022 COL Ross Nelson,
Commandant, USA Warrant Officer Career
College, Fort Rucker, AL, inducted CW3Charles Robertson, USAWOCC Military
History Instructor and WOCS Mentor, into
the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michael
at a ceremony at the Aviator Landing on Ft.
Rucker. Robertson has been instrumental in
the development of tactics and the WOCS
instructional development while being a
CH47F Flight Instructor and Survivability
Officer. He departed the USA WOCC to join
16th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Central Florida Chapter

Order of St. Michael
Inductees
Air Assault Chapter

With his wife by his side, Mr. Robert D.
Walker is inducted into the Gold Honorable
Order of St. Michael by AAAA National
President, MG (Ret.) Tim Crosby (2ndfrom left), chapter president, COL (Ret.)
Hawk Ruth (left) and COL Roger Waleski,commander of the 160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at the regimentheadquarters at Ft. Campbell, KY. Walker
was recognized for his more than 40 yearsof service to Army Aviation culminating as
the deputy director of the U.S. Army Special
Operations Aviation Command Systems
Integration Management Office (SIMO).

CHAPTER PHOTO BY CW5 YENNY GIUSTO

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY MR. STEPHEN F. WILLIAMS, USAARL

CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

Rising Sun Chapter Enjoys Festival

LTC (Ret.) William McElwee was inducted
into the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael at the AAAA Central Florida Chapter Annual Golf Tournament on June 17, 2022 at the
Shingle Creek Golf Club, Orlando. McElwee is aVietnam Veteran who served both in the Active
Army and full time in the GA National Guard.
He is a Master Aviator with over 6,000 military
flight hours. With McElwee are (left to right):
Chris Wanitshka, chapter VP; Mike Younce,
Chapter President; McElwee; and LTC (Ret.)Jan Drabczuk, AAAA National VP Chapters.

Land of Lincoln Chapter

His wife, Jennifer Johnke was also
inducted into the Honorable Order of Our
Lady of Loreto for her support to Army
Aviation Soldiers and Families throughout
her husband’s career. Celebrating with the
Johnkes are (left to right) Higgins; COL
Johnke; Jennifer Johnke; Walker Johnke;
Lydia Johnke; Ella Johnke, and Mrs. Laina
Goodson.
63

Mrs. Michelle A. Hammon, spouse of
CW5 David W. Hammon (right), former
OSMs continued on next page

October 31, 2022

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u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORTCHAPTER PHOTO BY MR. COLLIN MAGONIGAL

OSMs Continued
Command Chief Warrant Officer of the State
of Nebraska, is inducted into the Honorable
Order of Our Lady of Loreto by USAF Maj.
Gen. Richard Neely (not pictured) andchapter president, COL (Ret.) Lonnie Jansen(left), at Camp Lincoln, IL. Mrs. Hammon isrecognized for her untiring support to theaviation community, soldiers, and families
while serving as an NCO, Officer, and spousethroughout her husband’s career spanningmore than 42 years.

CHAPTER PHOTO BY JASON GALINDO
CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

CHAPTER PHOTO BY JAMES H. RIDLEY

LTG L. Neil Thurgood, former Director ofHypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and
Rapid Acquisition, is inducted into the Gold
Honorable Order of St. Michael by past AAAA
National President, BG (Ret.) EJ Sinclair
during a dinner at The Summit, Redstone
Arsenal, AL on Aug. 22, 2022. Thurgood, aSenior Army Aviator, was recognized for his
more than 36 years of dedicated service toArmy Aviation.

MAJ Nathan Klein, assistant productmanager for the Limited Interim Missile
Warning System LIMWS), is inducted into
the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael
by CW3 (Ret.) Robert Seybold (left), deputy
product manager for Missile Warning
Systems, and LTC Sean Quinn, productmanager for Missile Warning Systems, PM
ASE on Aug. 4, 2022 at the Cooperative
Brewing Company, Huntsville, AL. Klein wasrecognized for being instrumental in fielding
the LIMWS to Army Aviation as he moves
to his next assignment as an experimental
test pilot with TDD-A at Joint Base LangleyEustis, VA.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

MAJ Joshua A. Redmond is inducted
into the Bronze Honorable Order of St.
Michael by Mr. Tim Vinson, Lakota ProductManager, during a July 20, 2022 ceremonyin Huntsville, AL. Redmond was recognizedfor his work as the Deputy Product Manager
on the occasion of his change of duty to
Deputy Product Manager in the Apache
Attack Helicopter project office at Redstone.

Washington Potomac Chapter

CHAPTER PHOTO BY CPT JAMES CLARK

Tennessee Valley Chapter

LTC(P) Joseph S. Minor is inducted into
the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael
by chapter president, Mr. Gary Nenninger,
during a July 8, 2022 ceremony at Redstone
Arsenal, AL. Minor was recognized for his
accomplishments while serving as the
director of the U.S. Army Redstone Test
Center Aviation Flight Test Directorate.
He remains at Redstone and his new
assignment as the Program Manager, Fixed
Wing Aircraft, PEO Aviation.

was recognized as he retires for more than
51 years of Aviation service dedicated toattack helicopter systems and Soldiers; theacknowledged “Father of modern AH-64
Gunnery,” and architect of Combined Arms
Training Strategy (CATS) – a legend.

LTC James Bell, deputy commander of The
Army Aviation Brigade, and Ms. Judith A.
Damico, TAAB director of Human Resources,
are inducted into the Honorable Order of St.
Michael by MG Allen M. Pepin, commanding
general of the U.S. Army Military District ofWashington during a Sep. 7, 2022 ceremonyat Davison AAF, Ft. Belvoir, VA. Bell is a
Bronze inductee and Damico a Knight of theOrder. Congratulating them are (left to right):
CW5 Scott Nalley, CSM Gregory A. Galassi,
COL Winfield Adkins, Mr. Dan Curry, Bell,
Damico, Pepin, and CSM Franklin Velez.

Please contribute to the
AAAASFI through the
Combined Federal Campaign(CFC) program.
The AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
provides a variety of annual scholarships
to hundreds of students seeking
higher education: Soldiers, NCOs,
warrant and commissioned officers
and to their family members. Your
tax-deductible donation helps make adifference to those looking to further
their educational opportunities.
Contribute to #10516.
See your unit CFC representative for details
on participating in the 2022 CFC Program.

CW4 (Ret.) Charles R. Ridenour is inducted
into the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michaelby Chief Warrant Officer of the Aviation
Branch, CW5 Michael L. Lewis, Jr. duringa June 18, 2022 ceremony at the Army
Aviation Museum, Ft. Rucker, AL. Ridenour
64

The AAAA ScholarshipFoundation, Inc.
593 Main Street, Monroe,
CT 06468-2806
Email: aaaa@quad-a.org(203) 268-2450

October 31, 2022

AAAA

u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT

Register Today!

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Army Aviation Depot Forum
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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

65

October 31, 2022

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u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORTAAAA Membership Update By CW4 Becki Chambers

The Membership Corner

ALL PHOTOS AAPI FILE PHOTO

I

f you have logged onto the AAAA
website recently, you might havenoticed 2 new additions to the National
Executive Group. Cole Hedden is the
new VP of Industry Affairs, and Ray
Sellers is the new VP of Civilian Affairs.
I asked them to write a brief note about
their position:

Cole Hedden

Ray Sellers

Cole Hedden was tasked with focusing on our Industry
partners and individual Industry members to ensure they
are getting the best value possible from their membershipin AAAA. Since that time, Cole has spent most of his time
visiting with Industry members and developing plans andstrategies to enhance the value of membership for thisspecific group. In addition, he works to ensure an Industry
voice during AAAA National Executive Group (NEG)
meetings. He is also working with the full-time staff at AAAA
to identify methods for tracking trends and the health of ourIndustry members.
Cole has started several initiatives during this time.
They include an effort to enhance the voice of Industry bycreating some type of Industry advisory group with the goalof providing Industry input to the AAAA President andthe NEG. Another area of focus is working with US Army
Aviation to develop a process to get more frequent status andupdates from various Army Aviation Program Managers.
Cole brings a wealth of experience to this new position.
He is a West Point graduate and started his career as an
Army Aviator at Ft. Campbell where he flew Cobras andKiowa Warriors with the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion
and then Black Hawks with TF-160. After leaving active
duty, he stayed in the aerospace industry working at Tier
1 & 2 players for over 35 years. He has held positions in
Program Management, Business Development and Strategy
from the Division level to Corporate. He is experienced in
M&A and has been involved with or overseen R&D efforts
through much of his career. He has an Executive MBA fromthe Kellogg School at Northwestern. Cole has two growndaughters and currently resides in Asheville with his wife
Carole, who all work in the aerospace industry.
Ray Sellers is the new VP of Civilian Affairs. Although heretired about nine months ago, Ray spent the previous 33 years

as a Department of the Army Civilian (or DAC). He started
his Army Aviation career supporting the Joint Tactical UAV
Office in Huntsville AL. From there, Ray spent a few years
supporting the Missiles and Space community but worked
his way back to Aviation at the first opportunity! Luckily, hefound a home in the Cargo Helicopters Project Office as a Test
Engineer working in the Improved Cargo Helicopters (CH47F) Product Office for a new LTC named Tim Crosby. After
his tour as Deputy PM in Cargo Helicopters, Ray served on
the PEO Aviation staff as Chief of Staff and Lead Engineer.
These assignments allowed him to work with every program
manager from 2009 until he retired as the Deputy PM for
the Future Attack Reconnaissance Office in December 2021.
During this time, Ray gained enormous respect for the
dedication and expertise exhibited by our Army Civilians.
Ray spent most of his Army career as a supervisor where
he understood his primary responsibility was to support the
Army Civilians working for him so that they could support
the Soldiers in the field. His job was to give the workforce
the tools they needed to design, develop, and deliver thebest weapon systems in the world. During this time, Rayalso served on the local AAAA Tennessee Valley Chapter
Board as VP, for Government Affairs. Once again, Ray’s
responsibility was to support, represent and promote our DA
Civilian workforce. Ray looks forward to continued service
to our Army Civilians, and he encourages your feedback on
how AAAA can better support our Civilian membership.
Please join me in welcoming them to the team.
If you have a Soldier who you think should be highlighted
in this column, please reach out to me at beckichambers@
quad-a.org.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

66

CW4 Becki Chambers
AAAA Vice President for Membership

October 31, 2022

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

New AAAA Life
Members
Aloha Chapter
SFC Miguel Valdez Osuna
SSG James A. Cottrell
Aviation Center Chapter
COL Nicole C. Powell-Dunford
CPT Christine Marie Hogan
CW4 Demetrio CastroCentral Florida Chapter
MAJ Lester Fullen
Colonial Virginia Chapter
Ryan Boehringer
Flying Gator Chapter
Capt. Ralph Artigliere
Green Mountain Boys Chapter
MAJ James Lewandowski
Grizzly Chapter
SGT Pedro Castro
Idaho Snake River Chapter
CPT Thomas J. WestallCW2 Oceana R. Chamberlin
Iowa Chapter
CPT Danielle Hadaway
CW3 Robert Ghabel
MAJ Gary Carter
Keystone Chapter
CSM Jason Zahurak
MSG Justin Shaffer
MacArthur Chapter
SFC Gerald E. Babor, Ret.
Magnolia Chapter
COL Bradley Howe
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
COL Kent D. Menser, Ret.
Morning Calm Chapter
LTC Nathanal J. Patton
North Star Chapter
CPT Olukayode Oni
North Texas Chapter
MAJ Josh Daneault
Old Tucson Chapter
COL Tom Davis
Prairie Soldier Chapter
CW3 Justin Chadwick
Jay Wilhelm
Rio Grande Chapter
SFC Keith Lovely
Savannah Chapter
CW3 Ian Foote
LTC Frederick Clapp
Tennessee Valley Chapter
James Hamilton
Michael E. Bulkley
Utah Chapter
CW4 Jonathan Lee
Voodoo Chapter
CAPT William Bennett
Washington-Potomac
Chapter
COL Robert Pearce
LTC James M. BellMG Allan M. Pepin
Wright Brothers Chapter
James E. Smith

New AAAA
Members
Air Assault Chapter
PFC Katelyn Baber
SGM Prescotte Hawkins, Ret.
MAJ JD Knight
CSM Aaron Stephens
CW3 James Thomas

Aloha Chapter
PFC Bryson A. Faafiti-Oviedo
PV2 Ethan K. Okumura
SSG David Jonathan Ordaz
SFC Miguel Valdez Osuna
Arizona Chapter
Christian Coronel
Geno Forman
Kristy Frazier
Brett Leonard
Colton Marchesseault
SSG Jean Montes
Dan Mullholand
Ryan Olson
Carolyn Pattison
Bill Ross
Mark Trusty
Derek Wallace
Aviation Center Chapter
WO1 Steve D. Adami
1LT Douglas R. Aldrich
WO1 Clayton M. Anderson
2LT Coleman P. Anderson
WO1 Andrew M. Andrusko
WO1 John P. Bailey
WO1 Jeremy K. Ballard
2LT Emanuel Barnes
2LT Jeremiah L. Borrajo
2LT Zach P. Breunig
2LT Orian L. Brown
WO1 Jordan K. Brunner
2LT Matthew T. Cannon
2LT Britney K. Carter
WO1 Rainier M. Castaneda
CW4 Demetrio Castro
WO1 David F. Chandler
WO1 Christopher R. Conner
WO1 Hunter W. Conway
2LT Seth C. Coute2LT Kai J. Covey
WO1 Curtis N. Croft
WO1 James L. Davis
2LT Robert T. Deming
WO1 Erika E. Dent
WO1 Dillon G. Ennis
WO1 Randall J. Ferrara
WO1 Travis W. Fields
WO1 Brett D. Forman
WO1 Courtland R. Friend
2LT Zachary O. Gandy
2LT Kellie B. Garrity
WO1 Nathan S. Gootee
WO1 Trevor C. Greene
WO1 Christopher Gruendner
WO1 Darius S. Ham
WO1 Robert J. Harris
PV2 Braydon Cole Hatcher
WO1 James R. Hensorling
CPT Christine Marie Hogan
2LT Jessica G. Hole2LT Seth T. Holloway
2LT Jackson J. Hopkins
2LT Zachariah Hoyle
WO1 Joseph A. Intriago
WO1 Vasilii Jenescu
2LT Cole A. Jones
2LT Lorenz P. Junio
WO1 Robert L. Keen
WO1 Mayule T. Kelly
2LT Caleb G. Kerr
WO1 Alissa Kupka
WO1 Stacy R. Lawrence
2LT Cameron M. Lehr
2LT Cameron M. Letourneau
WO1 Dylan J. Light
2LT Chase P. Lundberg
WO1 Kelsey N. MacIsaac
2LT Madison K. Malla
2LT Travis J. Martini

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

WO1 Dylan R. MarxWO1 Jakob G. Matney
WO1 Sean R. Matson
2LT Samantha N. Mayo
WO1 Patrick A. McDoonald
LT Daniel Melchers
2LT Justin D. Mettling
WO1 Dustin A. Monroe
WO1 Anthony J. Montgomery
WO1 Michael J. Munoz
WO1 William A. Murray
2LT Jordan M. NessWO1 Justin D. Newman
WO1 Allen J. Nunez
WO1 Sean G. O’Donnell
WO1 Beverly Patrick
WO1 Jesse R. Pavel
WO1 Chase A. Peters
2LT Nathaniel L. Porterfield
WO1 Taj Wayne K. Pottinger
WO1 William D. Pruitt
WO1 Swaminathan Ramalingam
2LT Mackenzie R. Reed
Courtney M. Rich
2LT Olivia R. Richan
WO1 Austin W. Rivera
WO1 Austin M. Roberts
2LT Derrick O. Robertson
2LT Nicole D. Rocha
2LT Nathan J. Rupprecht
CPT Arturo SalasWO1 Jeremy M. Shadron
WO1 Kevin A. SimsWO1 Benjamin L. Smith
WO1 Matthew V. Staskal
2LT Grant T. Stewart
WO1 Anjan N. Sullimada
1LT Kesuma M. Suprobo
2LT Daniel A. Teed
WO1 Chase D. Terry
WO1 Brady J. Thompson
WO1 Abe A. Torres
WO1 Nicholas C. Trujillo
WO1 Kyle Trumble
WO1 Trevor J. Tucker
1LT Rachel L. Vander LaanWO1 Zachariah S. Vanderleest
2LT Andrew R. Vitale
2LT Timothy P. Wallace
2LT Jordan T. Washington
WO1 Marcus D. Wilkerson
WO1 Thomas C. Willis
WO1 Merril R. Wilson
WO1 Zane A. Wilson
2LT Shalynn N. Woolsey
WO1 Christopher J. Ziolkowski
Badger Chapter
April Haferkorn
Jim Jackalone
Mary Loomis
PV2 John C. McHugh
PV2 Jose Ocegueda-Jones Jr
Tony Sapyta
Battle Born Chapter
A1C Robert B. Spangler
Bavarian Chapter
MAJ Lindsay Heisler
CPT Christina Ramos
Big Sky Chapter
Jessica Higgins
Bluegrass Chapter
CW3 Jeremy Cossel
Central Florida Chapter
Sam Blakley
John Brooks
Benjamin CorcoranRichard Detcher
PVT Ryan P. Dobbs
PFC Ganney A, Dortch

67

David Dwyer
MAJ Lest Fullen
James Giffrow
Dace Heathman
PFC Jerrod K. Hobbs
Holly James
Corey Mason
Jesse Matos
Chadd Meister
Justin Nissen
Nick Rice
Steven Rosenwasser
Raymond Shafer
Sarah Steinman
Christopher Sullivan
William Travers
Colonial Virginia Chapter
Ryan Boehringer
Connecticut Chapter
Mamoun Bayyari
WO1 Laura A. Ciavarro
Steve GreenJohn Lugbauer
Al Moreno
Mrs. Samantha Redfield
MSG Christopher J. Richards
Mrs. Joanna Ross
PV2 Matthew T. Thomas
Corpus Christi Chapter
SPC Kenneth Baucom
Joshua M. Rowe
Cowboy Chapter
SGT Travis J. Repella
Delaware Valley Chapter
PVT Flynn M. Coffin
PFC Jayden T, Kozloski
Desert Oasis Chapter
CW4 Daniel Austin
CW4 William Joseph Johnson
Flying Gator Chapter
Capt. Ralph Artigliere
Frontier Army Chapter
Jamie Piper
Gold Standard Chapter
Caryn Dickinson
CW5 August Mauer
CW3 Brett A. Milton
Great Lakes Chapter
SFC Ty C.Bierman-ClintonAlex P. Webster
Greater Atlanta Chapter
Nathaniel Cooley
SPC Brielle Keena Ezna
WO1 Enrique J. Granados
Jacob Hanson
WO1 Charles L. Marcum
Lee Simonetta
Doug WhiteGreen Mountain Boys Chapter
David Baczewski
Derek Davis
Thomas Hryckiewicz
Mike Jacquinto
PV2 MAx C. Wingensiefen
Griffin Chapter
LTC Adam T. Bennett
WO1 Robert L. Davis, Jr
CPT Alexander V. Kelsall
SGT Matthew A. Koenig
SSG Zackary Myers
1LT Nathan R. Schrader
SFC Tyler L. Vermillion
SGT Edelric WhackCW4 Scott C. Wilhite
Grizzly Chapter
SGT Pedro Castro
Idaho Snake River Chapter
Dale Atkins
CW2 Oceana R. Chamberlin

WO1 Daniel W. Putnam
Tom Wood
Iowa Chapter
WO1 Travis P. Becker
MAJ Gary Carter
CW3 Robert Ghabel
CPT Danielle Hadaway
Jim Roberts
Iron Mike Chapter
WO1 Alexander De Leon Diaz
MAJ Lisa M. Klekowski
PFC Myles Devante RoamJack H. Dibrell/Alamo Chapter
SPC Josue Manuel Bueno
SGT Daniel August Koehler
SSG Justin Saiz
Jaime Santiago
SPC Daniel Torres
Jimmy Doolittle Chapter
WO1 Trevin I. Blair
Lawrence L. Lewis
Keystone Chapter
SGT Chance H. CainMSG Justin Shaffer
CSM Jason Zahurak
Lindbergh Chapter
Jonathan Bland
Erin Oller
Chris Ward
Lonestar Chapter
SSG Sean Boulet
MacArthur Chapter
Donald Brockel
Christian Chandler
Barbara Dworkin
Scott Hayford
Napoleon Hooks
Kenneth Kline
PV2 Jordan I. Lannerd
Allen Loving
Douglas Petito
Chris Pickett
Evan Schulze
Herman Shanian
Jeremy Sohan
Brian Streem
Magnolia Chapter
PFC Shawn D. Gurley
COL Bradley Howe
Mike McDonald
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Kevin Leonard
Minuteman Chapter
Michael J. Ball
WO1 Alex R. Buckley
Michael Davis
Evan Elkington
Nicholas Fisher
CW3 Isaac Gomez Jr
Jeff Hanson
Shannon Tremblay
Gregory Wise
Morning Calm Chapter
WO1 Joseph Askwith
CW2 Tyler Lee
Mount Rainier Chapter
WO1 Nicholas M. Deweese
WO1 Caleb S. Myers
Cassy Randolph
North Country Chapter
CW2 Dustin KelleyNorth Star Chapter
CW5 Brent David Jensen
CPT Olukayode Oni
North Texas Chapter
COL Sonny Blinkinsop
Rachel Brown
New Members continued
on page 69

October 31, 2022

AAAA

u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORTAAAA Family Forum By Judy Konitzer

Looking Beyond Covid-19 and Reopening
America’s Schools By Judy KonitzerI

It wiped away many ordinary routines
producing major disruptions in every
possible way and rearranged the livesof students and families around theworld. It is unfortunate, but theramifications of this educational disruption will more than likely be felt for
many years to come.
Parents with school aged children
are probably exhausted right now withhaving to navigate uncharted territory.
There is conflicting information andcontinually changing decisions fromprofessional policymakers, medical professionals, and school staffs regarding
the resurgence of Covid and its variants,
the need for vaccines and boosters, theneed for wearing masks in some but not
all areas, and mental health concerns.
Schools have always been viewed as a
critical component in society because
they have provided much more thaneducation, for example, services likedaily meals, mental health, medical
screenings, and socialization. Alongwith broad academic challenges, theseespecially affected students who werethe most vulnerable before the crisis
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

occurred.
Reopening schools now restores manyof these services and allows for students
to participate in extracurricular activities
which have been proven to strengthen
academic achievement and statistically
improve grades and SAT and ACT scoresin the long run. By being members ofschool clubs, athletic teams, theatre andmusic groups, bands, science fairs etc.
students can develop the social skills
they will need as adults. And by learning
time management, perseverance, andcollaboration especially with teamworkof any kind, these help to provide acreative outlook, make friends, formbonds over shared projects, and develop
the discipline to achieve their long-termgoals. As a side note, many colleges anduniversities allow a weight of 30% totheir applications for extracurricular
activities. This is because many
candidates have great grades and testscores, but extracurricular activities give
an application its personality.
I recently read an editorial in my local newspaper from Dr. Dana Harris, aretired administrator, with some help-

68

ALL PHOTOS FROM FT HOOD FACEBOOK PAGEt goes without saying that our nation’s educational
system faced unprecedented challenges due to
Covid with more than 1.5 billion children affected byschool closings.

As part of a Team Building activity, Soldiers
training from Fort Hood assembled and donated50 bicycles to Carson Middle School students at
Fort Carson, Colorado, August 25, 2022. Eachbike held a handwritten note from the Soldier
who put it together.

ful advice for parents. She advised: “Beproactive in your child’s education. You
can do this by frequenting the school’s
webpage and social media for updated
information. Stay in touch with yourchild’s teachers and other educators intheir lives. Thank them for what they are
doing because they are working incredibly hard. And most importantly readany and all notices that may come homewith your child. The changes being mademay be temporary, but they are being implemented on their behalf.” It is because
this 2022-23 school year is going to beinteresting as well as challenging and theschool staff is going to have to make decisions based on ever changing realities.
By now we are seeing how children are
October 31, 2022

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

AAAA Salutes
the Following
Departed…
Mr. Charles E. Herschbach Jr.
Deceased 1/16/2022
COL Louis R. Jones Jr., Ret.
Deceased 9/19/2022
AAAA Life Member

adjusting to their returning to school withmany having to adapt to this new norm.
Some may also be having emotional
issues as they try to navigate throughthis. During this time, it is important forparents to manage their own emotions
and remain calm. They would do well tolisten to their children’s concerns, speakkindly, and always be reassuring. As withany change, if parents are prepared, they
can be assured of a safe, productive, andsuccessful school year for their children.
Lastly many of our readers may haveseen this advice posted on Facebook. If
not, it is worth your consideration anda wonderful way to work hand in handwith your child’s teacher.
“If your family is experiencing
difficulties at home, I would like toprovide additional support at school. I
understand that you are not always able
to share details and that’s okay. If yourchild is coming to school after a difficultnight, morning, or weekend, please textme “Handle with Care.” Nothing else
will be said or asked. This will let meknow that your child may need extra
time, patience or help during the day.”
Hopefully your child’s teacher is on
board with this advice as it could prove
to be the difference between making anegative experience a more positive one.
Judy Konitzer is the family forum editor
for ARMY AVIATION; questions andsuggestions can be directed to her at judy@quad-a.org.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

New AAAA
Members Continued
Thomas Carlisle Ryan Darrow
Dan Davis
Sebastien Delmaire
Tena Eubanks
Mario Gonzales
Matt Hembree
Nick MacKaronDavid Mohon
Eamon Perry
Jim Quinn
Vaishal ShahMAJ Howard S. Stanfield
Ken Triplett
Oregon Trail Chapter
PFC Anthony Sean Pieper
Phillip A. Yager
Phantom Corps Chapter
SSG Matthew Behuniak
CW2 David Calderon
SSG Matthew CooneyPV2 Haley R. Mcintoch
MAJ Jared Michael Wiggins
Pikes Peak Chapter
WO1 Drew B. Krieg
PFC Chance W. Pebley
Prairie Soldier Chapter
CW3 Justin Chadwick
PFC Kerry J. Lodl
CAPT Leonard W. Whiteing
Jay Wilhelm
Ragin’ Cajun Chapter
Ginger McNeely
Rio Grande Chapter
1LT Joshua Cox
Rising Sun Chapter
Mrs. Tara M. Rojas
Savannah Chapter
LTC Frederick ClappPFC Barrett T. Miller
Southern California Chapter
Stephane Duchesne
PFC Chanho Lee
Brooke Milligan
Kevin Thompson
Lou Vogt
Jennie Wright
Stonewall Jackson Chapter
CPT Warren E. Allen, III
Jessica Guest
Joe Guest
Mrs. Chau Nguyen
Tarheel Chapter
MAJ Briana McFarland
Tennessee Valley Chapter
CW4 Samuel Lee Bennett, Ret.
James W. Coquat
Mandie Dillard
Joe Dinoto
Robert J. Dudley
Crystal Eatmon
Donald Gardner
Robert Hamilton
Bruce Hardy
Nick Hawke
CW5 Addonis Hawkins
Scott Haymaker
Jeff Helton
Clayton Hinchman
Tyler Jones
William Jones
Melanie KelleyDavid King
Nancy Koger

69

Steve McCool
Alisha Merritt
Clarence Morris
Layton Murphy
Gary Owen
Trenton Poff
Jacob Pohly
Stephanie B. Rauseo
Doug Rogers
1SG James Starkey
Steve Stelk
Brian Watson
Ryan Webb
Chance Wesley
Marie Wilson-NoackThunder Mountain Chapter
SSG Philip Alvarado
Thunderbird Chapter
SPC Sebastian B. Arrasmith
SGT Keelan B. BarrCW2 Carey M. Bennett
WO1 Kody B. Bickerstaff
SPC Christian A. Brookman
SPC Brandon W. Cejka
SGT Zackery W. Cooksey
SFC Jolene N. Davis
SGT Tad A. Deffenbaugh
1LT Johnny P. Dow
CPL Kyle A. Elliott
SGT Zachary T. Fike
SSG Steven A. Fitzgerald
SPC Colton J. Fletcher
SGT Javier A. Flores
SPC Taylor B. Fretz
SGT Benjamin F. Holybee
SPC Cori E. Hunt
SGT Shane W. Kimzey
SPC Collin J. Long
SGT Nate M. Lowber
SPC Courtney L. Malone
PFC Bethany Ann McGuirre
2LT Walker R. Milligan
CPT Justin L. Parks
SPC Samuel O. Patton
SGT Nicholas L. Replogle
SGT Randell K. Sessions
SPC Katlyn Shelton
SPC Jeffery L. SmithCW3 Zachariah M. Smith
SGT Tremaine E. Thomas
SGT Caitlyn J. Tuzicka
SPC Evan Verdugo
SGT Christopher L. Watson
SGT Travis D. Williams
SMA Amiah J. Wolford
SPC Sandie R. Young
Utah Chapter
SPC Trace R. Hadley
PV2 Jaden D. Keyte
CW4 Jonathan Lee
PFC Lawrence D. Whitney
Voodoo Chapter
CAPT William Bennett
SGT Jaimeal Wade Omar Harris
SSG Timothy Roberson
PFC Judah D. Wolf
Washington-Potomac Chapter
Curtis Brown
Addie Burke
COL David DoranSGT Denis A. Lukoianov
SGT Kevin Riley Morgan
COL Robert Pearce
Kevin Rhodes
Kathrynn Seidler
Ashley Simonds
Gisele F. Singleton

Wright Brothers Chapter
David Cordova
Mrs. Sarah Giardina
Erik Johnson
Stan Lyons
Caltha Seymour
Nansheng Tang
Mike Williams
Yellowhammer Chapter
WO1 Jerry J. Huggins
No Chapter Affiliation
Carlos Aburto
Kyle Anderson
A1C Herland Antezana
PV2 Leslyann A. Bailey
Kerry Bauer
Denis Boucher
PFC Jared Buchele
CW2 James Cameron
SPC Anselmo Castillo
1LT Jacob Chapman
Sean CoganCharles Cohen
PFC Jessay Adrian ColonCPT Joshua R. Corey
1LT Jaret Dasenbrock
SGT Andre Luiz Dos Santos
CW3 Brian Enderes
SPC Casey M. Ferrara
Devin Fitting
CW3 Eric Flerchinger
PFC Zachary D. Frankson
Brendan J. Gilbert
PFC Miguel Godinez
PFC Colin I. Graefen
Tom Guzman
Andrew Hanson
Brian Johnson
CW2 Andrew J. Kraus
Paul A. L’Ecuyer
SGT Sangun Lee
Mrs. Laura Leszek
SPC Christian C. Longacre
Nicholas Louis
SGT Samuel Mattoso
Jack Maze
Douglas McCall
Edward Meyers
Erik Moratzka
SSG Thomas Mort
Feleni Moso
Kirstin Orr
SPC Alex Samuel Palaguachi
Kelsey Payne
PV2 Brady S. Peckinpaugh
PVT Matthew F. Perdue
Jason Pochert
PFC Lucas Scott Puckett
Scott M. Riggins
CW3 Joseph Riley
Rebecca Rood
Jessica Schieve
Christopher Schultz
Adam Shepard
Bill Smith
James Spriet
PFC Mason Scott Stark
Jamie Sussman
PFC Louise M. Sutton
WO1 Brian Talley
Samuel N. Tate
PV2 Philip M. Turner
WO1 Andrea Vasquez
Ryan Williamson
Troy Wise
SGT Jiwon Yoon

October 31, 2022

AAAA

u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT			AAAA Legislative Report

By LTC (Ret.) Patrick “Josh” Baker
AAAA Representative to the Military Coalition (TMC)
josh.baker@quad-a.org

Following the Money (Appropriations)Let’s take a look how our portfolio is sitting going into Appropriations conference which is expected after the elections.
Red- Program Funding Net Decrease Yellow- Conference ItemAEROVIRONMENT GRAPHIC

Green- Program Funding Net Increase

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

70

October 31, 2022

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

Industry News Announcements Related to Army Aviation Matters
Editor’s note: Companies can send their
Army Aviation related news releases andinformation to editor@quad-a.org.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN COURTESY PHOTO

UH-60V Completes Initial
Testing

Initial testing on the Victor model Black Hawk
began July 5 and wrapped up a month later
after 200 flight hours. Successful completionof the testing “allows the Army to make an
informed decision on transitioning the UH60V to full production,” product manager
LTC Howard Swanson said in an Armystatement.Test results are being reviewed
by Army Test and Evaluation command witha report to follow as early as December.

AeroVironment’s Jump
20 to Replace Shadow

to replace the runway-dependent Shadow
drone. The $8 million contract announced
on August 18th will pay for one system,
which includes six air vehicles, grounddata terminals and ground control stations,according to the Army. The system will go toa single brigade combat team. JUMP 20 is
the first fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systemcapable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)
to be deployed extensively in support of U.S.
military forces. JUMP 20 delivers 14+ hours
of endurance, a standard operational rangeof 115 miles (185 kilometers) and is runway
independent. The system can be set up andoperational in less than 60 minutes without
the need for launch or recovery equipment
and has a useable payload capacity of up
to 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms). It also
features a common autopilot and groundcontrol system architecture. The Jump 20
is built by Arcturus which was purchased by
AeroVironment last year.

Helicopter rotor hub; work locations andfunding will be determined with each order,
with an estimated completion date of Aug.
26, 2027.

Contracts – (From various sources.
An “*” by a company name indicates a small
business contract / “**” indicates a womanowned small business)

Advertisers Index

Amentum Services Inc., Germantown,
MD, was awarded a $13,416,136 hybrid

U.S. ARMY PEO AVIATION PHOTO(firm-fixed-price and labor-hours) contract toprovide contractor support to management
and the supporting workforce for Corpus
Christi Army Depot Aircraft and Aircraft
Component Production; work will be
performed in Corpus Christi, Texas, with anestimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2025.

The U.S. Army has chosen AeroVironment’s
Jump 20 unmanned aircraft system to be thefirst future tactical UAS as part of an effort

Piedmont Propulsion Systems LLC,
Winston Salem, NC, was awarded an$11,545,493 firm-fixed-price contract for
maintenance and overhaul of the UH-60

Upcoming
Special Focus
2021 Industry Partners Directory

NETWORKlRECOGNITION

l

VOICE

l

SUPPORT

November 30, 2021

NOVEMBER

NETWORKlRECOGNITION

l

VOICE

l

SUPPORT

December 31, 2021

Industry Partners Directory

Fixed Wing

Industry Support & Challenges

Air Traffic Services
Meet the Army’s
new UH-72B Lakota

Corpus Christi Army Depot
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

2110_Army Aviation Cover_8.125x10.875.indd 1

DECEMBER

Unmanned Aircraft Systems

1

December 31, 2021

Research & Development
Science & Technology

10/18/2021 2:00:07 PM

CONTACT: Bob Lachowski or Erika Burgess AAAAIndustry@quad-a.org 203. 268.2450
ARMYAVIATIONmagazine.com

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

71

The Boeing Company, Ridley Park,
PA, was awarded a $29,000,000 firm-fixedprice contract for advanced procurement oflong lead items for CH-47F Block 2; work
locations and funding will be determined witheach order, with an estimated completion
date of Sept. 29, 2023.

Triumph Engine Control Systems
LLC, West Hartford, CT, was awarded

a $56,322,429 firm-fixed-price contract for
maintenance and overhaul of the Enhanced
Digital Electronic Control Unit in support ofBlack Hawk helicopters; work locations andfunding will be determined with each order,
with an estimated completion date of Sept.
21, 2027.

ARESIA..................................................12
Army Aviation Museum Foundation..........54
Avidyne.................................................13
BAE Systems...........................................2Blackhawk Aerospace.............................47
Coastal Seat Cushions, Inc......................58
Collins Aerospce - Cedar Rapids................1
Collins Aerospace, NC...............................7
Columbia Helicopters, Inc........................51
Crestwood Technology Group (CTG).........23
Dallas Avionics ......................................19David Clark Company.............................17
Dayton-Granger, Inc. ..............................51
FLIR Systems, Inc.....................................9
GETAC...................................................39
Gill Aviation............................................43
Greenwood Aerospace............................35
Helibasket..............................................33
Industrial Electronic Engineers Inc. ..........42
KIMDU Technologies...............................25
Lockheed Martin....................................80
LSI, Inc. ................................................41
Northern Wings .....................................16
Phantom Products, Inc............................21
Pilatus Business Aircraft...........................5
S3, Systems Studies & Simulation...........27
Science and Engineering Services, SES, Inc... 11
SKEDCO, Inc..........................................20
Strata-G Solutions Inc.............................31
Summit Aviation Inc................................29
Technisonic............................................37
Torch Technologies.................................43
Tyonek..................................................15
Vinnell Arabia.........................................45
Yulista Holdings, LLC............................... 34

October 31, 2022

AAAA

u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORTAAAA Awards
Washington-Potomac
Chapter
LTC Aaron S. Weddle

Order ofSt. Michael
InducteesGOLD
Tennessee Valley Chapter
MG Kenneth T. Royar
SILVER
Connecticut Chapter
CW5 Michael W. Behuniak
CW5 Michael J. Leroux
Washington-Potomac
Chapter
COL Winfield A. Adkins
BronzeAloha Chapter
CSM Kenneth C. Baker
CW3 Stephen Burnham
1SG Marcus H. Camp
1SG Rolando M. Cayanan
CPT Brent T. Erickson
CPT Michael J. Golden
CPT Jaime Jaquez
MSG David Katz
1SG Shawn A. Kirby
CW3 Christopher Lawrence
CW3 Andrew McCollum
CPT Jake Roberts
CW3 Jason Sheffield
CPT Mitxel B. Totorica
Central Florida Chapter
LTC William A. McElwee, Ret.
Colonial Virginia Chapter
1SG Trevor J. Clark
CPT Samuel L. LowellGold Standard Chapter
CW4 Sean P. Lynch
LTC Richard “Trey” Williams

High Desert Chapter
CW4 Michael Arns
CPT Nicholas BastianCW3 Michael Harms
CW4 David Johnson
CPT Sean McManus
SFC Michael Ruibal
CPT Phillip Savoie
CW3 Joshua R. Thompson
CPT Daniel Zajac
Iron Mike Chapter
CW4 Jason Werkman
Keystone Chapter
CW4 Brian Harmes
MAJ Kandy M. Heekin
MSG John R. Parker
Morning Calm Chapter
CW4 Sean Bailey
CW4 Christopher Duquet
CPT Abbey McConnell
CW4 Christopher Neal
CPT Jason R. Owen
Oregon Trail Chapter
SSG Daniel R. Cleveland
Prairie Soldier Chapter
CW3 Derek T. Whisler
Southern California
Chapter
SFC Brent Simmons
Stonewall Jackson Chapter
SFC Wayne J. Abrams
MAJ Charles D. Byrd IV
SSG Heather R. Hunt
CW4 Brady W. Lemmon
SFC Dylan A. Marker
Tennessee Valley Chapter
MAJ Bradley Bruce
Thunderbird Chapter
SFC Ronald N. Hartleroad

Honorable
KnightFlint Hills Chapter
CPT Andrew E. Simer
High Desert Chapter
CPT Salvatore Ardizzone
CPT William Foard
CPT Charles Zoboblish
Volunteer Chapter
SGM Ronnie D. Argo

Our Lady of
LoretoAir Assault Chapter
Jennifer Roop
Aloha Chapter
Rachel Zalewski
Aviation Center Chapter
Ivan Hughes
Sherri Jo Longoria
Colonial Virginia Chapter
Melissa Custer
Alexandrea L. Ferrin
Connecticut Chapter
Alice S. Behuniak
Julie A. Leroux
Gold Standard Chapter
Elizabeth KailHigh Desert Chapter
Yurida Arns
Karyn M. Brunson
Hanzel Harms
Jessie McManus
Meghan Morris

UPCOMING EVENTSNOVEMBER 2022

14-16
14

AAAA Cribbins Army Aviation Readiness Symposium, Huntsville, AL
AAAA National Executive Board and Scholarship Foundation Board of Governors
Meetings, Huntsville, AL

DECEMBER 2022

6-7
10
15

AAAA Luther G. Jones Army Aviation Depot Forum, Corpus Christi, TX
The 123rd Army-Navy Game, Lincoln Field, Philadelphia, PA
Submission Deadline – Scholarship Applications

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

AAAA Award Nominations
Are Open NOW!
Recognize Our Soldiers !

72

Awards To Be Presented at the2023 Annual Army Aviation
Mission Solutions Summit:
Joseph P. Cribbins Department of the
Army Civilian of the Yearn James H. McClellan Aviation Safety
n Henry Q. Dunn Crew Chief of the Yearn Army Aviation Soldier of the Yearn Rodney J.T. Yano NCO of the Yearn Michael J. Novosel Army Aviator of
the Yearn Robert M. Leich Awardn Army Reserve Aviation Unit of the Yearn John J. Stanko Army National Guard
Aviation Unit of the Yearn Active Army Aviation Unit of the Yearn Outstanding Army Aviation Unitof the YearnNominations Due:January 1, 2023

quad-a.org

October 31, 2022

AAAA

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People On The Move
Changes of Command/Responsibility

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SPC HASSANI RIBERA SOTO

1AD CAB Assumes OAR Responsibility

U.S. ARMY OSA-A COURTESY PHOTO

Crocker Takes Command of OSA-A

LTC David W. Crocker returns the colors to CSM Wanda Kahl as he assumes command of the United States Army Operational Support Airlift
Activity (OSA-A) during a ceremony at Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, June 29th, 2022. The ceremony was hosted by COL Win A.
Adkins (right, partially hidden), Commander, The Army Aviation Brigade(TAAB). Crocker succeeds LTC Scott M. Messare (center left). On a daily
basis, OSA-A supports Army and Department of Defense joint airlift requirements with seasoned aircrews of C-12, UC-35, and C-26 aircraft.

MG John V. Meyer III, left, commander of the 1st Infantry Division,concludes a transfer of authority ceremony at Powidz, Poland, Sept.
12, 2022. The 1st Armored Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade
assumed responsibility for the aviation component of Operation
Atlantic Resolve under the 1st Infantry Division, providing air support
capabilities to units deployed to Europe.

Flight School
Graduates

AAAA provides standard
aviator wings to all
graduates and sterlingsilver aviator wings to the
distiguished graduates ofeach flight class ... anotherexample of AAAA’s
SUPPORT for the U.S.
Army Aviation Soldier andFamily.
FSXXI Class 22-020
AAAA congratulates the following
officers graduating from Flight School
XXI at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of 2LT Greaney, Ryan P. *2LT Guitteau, Trey A. *Excellence, Fort Rucker, AL.
1LT Hipenbecker, Joshua T. *43 Officers August 11, 2022
CPT Homrighausen, Kent D. *2LT Mackey, David C., Jr. *Class 22-020
2LT Malsam, Matthew R. *Commissioned Officers
2LT McFadyen, Ally C. *2LT Culbert, Isaac G. - DG
1LT Pattrick, Nicholas T. *2LT Brock, Dakota G. - HG
2LT Reynolds, Brett D. *2LT Lau, Brittany * - HG
Warrant Officers
2LT Aleu, Alexander J. *WO1 Hudgins, Scott A., II - DG
1LT Brock, Victoria A.
WO1 Brutlag, Christian J. - HG
2LT Davis, Garrett M. *WO1 Duhaime, Alexander B. - HG
WO1 Russell, Ethan D. - HG
WO1 Scheuerman, George L. - HG
WO1 Abresch, Jonathan P.
WO1 Cerrato, Bryan E.
WO1 Charles, Derek W. *WO1 Dowden, Joshua S.
WO1 Emmons, Justin C.
WO1 Granados, Joseph C.
WO1 Howell, Abigail R.
WO1 King, Joshua C.
WO1 Larsen, Garret J.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

73

WO1 Meier, Ryan D.
WO1 Nguyen, Michael V.
WO1 Olsen, Alec X.
WO1 Palomo, Enrique D.
WO1 Quezadapineda, Frederick
WO1 Reynolds, Michael L., II
WO1 Schantz, Michael A.
WO1 Shaffett, Dalton M.
WO1 Shay, Isaac C.
Flight School Graduates
continued on next page

October 31, 2022

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u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT

People On The Move
Flight School
Graduates Continued
WO1 Teeter, Lane R.
WO1 Turk, Jack C.
WO1 Vavra, Cacey N. *WO1 Woehrle, Colman A.
WO1 Workman, Jacob C.

49 Officers August 25, 2022
Class 22-021

Commissioned Officers
2LT Bye, Brett T. -DG
2LT Cooper, Nicholas B. * - HG
1LT Hymel, Cameran C. - HG
1LT Sodervick, Michael J. * - HG
2LT Broertjes, Joshua M.
1LT Bryant, Joshua S.
1LT Disch, Kyle A. *1LT Erickson, Kathleen R. *2LT Gray, Susannah E. *1LT Judd, David B.
1LT Marsh, Benjamin W. *2LT Quijas, Kaytlin A. *1LT Quinette, Kyle S.
1LT Riester, Kyle N. *2LT Ring, Davis K. *1LT Rothermund, Kevin M. *1LT Sheehan, Benjamin P.
2LT Snead, Joshua P.
2LT Sonnier, Louis L. *2LT West, Riley J.
1LT Winters, Michael A. *Warrant Officers
WO1 Terry, Chase D. * - DG
WO1 Burtonboy, Thomas E. - HG
WO1 Finch, Jeremy R. - HG
WO1 Holm, Joshua M. - HG
WO1 Lovvorn, Jared T. * - HG
WO1 Ballard, David A.
WO1 Bates, ShaynePatrick
WO1 Church, John F., IV
WO1 Crews, Justin P.
WO1 Draheim, Alex J.
WO1 Fakhimi, Dylan E.
WO1 Green, Joseph D.
WO1 Griffin, Micheal W.
WO1 Hamilton, Larissa M.
WO1 Maldonado, Anthony M.
WO1 Mendoza, Eric M.
WO1 Morris, Robert E., Jr.
WO1 Payne, Tyrone V.
WO1 Reedel, Keshawn D.
WO1 Schlarman, Jake R.
WO1 Shull, Ryan C.
WO1 Simmonds, David R.
WO1 Sims, Brittany G.
WO1 Valentine, Charles T.
WO1 Weatherhead, Kyle L.
WO1 Williams, Carl A.
WO1 Yaeger, Jonathan M.
WO1 Young, DeBron D.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

FSXXI Class 22-021

FSXXI Class 22-022

54 Officers, September 8, 2022 2LT Yother, Amber M.
Warrant Officers
Class 22-022
Commissioned Officers
CPT Fox, John H. * - DG
2LT LaFlamme, Oliver T. * - HG
2LT Wilson, Garrett W. - HG
1LT Baxley, Nathan D. *CPT Bonilla, Anthony R. *1LT Bullard, Zachary E. *1LT Carrick, Jordan W.
2LT Collier, Jeremy B.
1LT Gochee, Benjamin *2LT Hollinshead, Alynn A.
CPT Kelley, Mason R. *2LT Lindeman, Matthew W.
2LT Reep, Austin A.
2LT Sanchez, Vincent T.
1LT Stavig, Christian S. *2LT Stuhldreher, Daniel D.
2LT Wecker, Walter J. HG)
1LT White, Dylan L.

CW2 Brock, Drew M. - DG
WO1 Kim, Chan Pyo * - HG
WO1 Lausch, Kevin A. - HG
CW2 Leiner, Daniel P. * - HG
WO1 Olive, Jacob D. - HG
WO1 Barnes, Jeffery A.
WO1 Bearden, Jacob H. *WO1 Bryson, Sean B.
WO1 Busch, Kaitlyn A.
WO1 Cissna, Tyler L.
WO1 Crews, Adam M. *WO1 Elges, Justin T.
WO1 Gray, Paden L.
WO1 Heidner, Jaron R. *WO1 Hogue, Jeremiah D.
WO1 Hughes, Dejour G.
WO1 Iegorov, Iulian R.
WO1 Jackson, Nicholas D.
WO1 Jones, Caleb J.

74

WO1 Luna, Eric A.
WO1 Malloy, Matthew R.
WO1 McAnallen, Kyle B.
WO1 McGowan, Cedric D. *WO1 Montanye, Jesse A.
WO1 Moore, Jefferson C. *WO1 Orr, Justin M.
WO1 Payne, Joseph C. *WO1 Reed, Thomas M.
WO1 Salinas, Steven M.
WO1 Satack, Victor
WO1 Schaub, Jarrod D.
WO1 Sonnek, Adam M.
WO1 Tusler, Daniel R.
WO1 Weil, Eric B.
WO1 Wood, Dillon A. *-DG: Distinguished Graduate-HG: Honor Graduate* = AAAA Member

October 31, 2022

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People On The Move

Aerospace Medicine Residency
AAAA congratulates the following officers graduating from the Aerospace Medicine Residency Course at the U.S. Army School of Aviation
Medicine, Fort Rucker, AL.

June 30, 2022

Aerospace Medicine Residency
MAJ Devon Greer *LTC Brett Matzek *CPT Ann Charlot

Occupational Medicine Residency
LTC Emily Simmons
MAJ Douglas Hogoboom *CPT Robert Gingerich
MAJ Mathew Cooper ** = AAAA Member

AM Graduates 2022

OM Graduates 2022

ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL TRAINING (AIT) GRADUATIONSPFC Gregory Bailey
SPC Derrick Krautlarger
CH-47 Medium Helicopter PFC Israel Fred Diaz
PFC Paul Chennault
SPC Jordan Elizabeth Frost PFC Julio Rayodelosrios
Repairer (15U)PVT Joshua Clark
PVT Ethan Smither
SPC Daniel Dean Gould
Class 023-22
SPC Adriane Cortez
Class 061-22
PV2 Haley R. Mcintosh * - DG SGT Hayle C. Johnson
SPC Christian Longacre * - DG PV2 Caleb Cummins
PV2 Caleb Timothy Connor PV2 Zvonimir Marekovic
PFC Enders Matthew
PFC Jhanluis E. Ortasanchez PV2 Andre Trevor Magee
PV2 Eduardo J. Gonzalez
PFC Conner Freestone
PFC Maison Anthony Rock PV2 Bryan Arevaloalvarez
PV2 Joseph Laurence
PVT Carlos Galvan
PV2 Clyde Blocker IV
CPL Tomas Sliva
HowardPFC Cullen Gutierrez
PV2 Kyle Britton Jr
PV2 Anthony Tetsu Johnson PV2 Kaden Timothy Theis
PFC Kyle Highley
PVT Adam Chambers
Class 057-22
PFC Felicity Sarah Lucas
PVT Noah Mcgouyrk
PFC Lawrence D.Whitney * - DG SPC Boa Choi
AH-64 Attack Helicopter SGT Erik Llamas Navarro
PFC Joan Gonzalezlopez
SPC Julian Osorio-Piedrahita PFC Isaac Daniel Bittner
Repairer (15R)
Aircraft Powerplant
CPL Antun Popijac
PFC Niamke C.Buchanan
PV2 Miguel Angel Padilla
Class 025-22
Repairer (15B)
PFC Fletcher Noble Bullock PFC Grayson Sutherlin
PV2 Paul Ryan Dobbs * - DG SPC Gabrielle A.Rollins
Class 013-22
SPC Robert Scot Burcham Class 062-22
Class 026-22
PV2 Wayne Jeremy Acklin
SSG Majid M. Al Darmaki
SGT Dean Bryan Bohannon * PV2 Matthew Thomas * - DG PFC Anthony Thomas Bush PFC Colin Graefen * - DG
SGT Mahmoud N. R. Al Rashidi
PFC Marcus Demez Carter PFC Ali Fadhil
MSG Mohammed Al Malki
SPC Albert Isaac HardSSG Yahya M. Y. Al Shareef
SPC Michael James Dennis Jr PFC Reid Gammon
PV2 Anthony Jimenezvasquez PV2 Andres Alvarez
PFC Jose Vicente Mejia Jr
SPC Nathan Haan
PFC Mark C. Mestre, II
PFC Gerard Nicholas Lee, II PFC Isaac Araki
PFC Malcolm Adelino MonizPFC Sergio Hernandez Jr
PV2 Quinlan Javon PricePFC Vaughn Kaydien Moore PFC Rollie Bray, III
PFC Jayden Wade Vanaman PV2 Jeremiah Jones
SGT Kody Brown
PV2 Andrew C. Pierce
Aircraft Powertrain
PFC Anthony Kolar
Class 059-22
PVT Wilfred Fegurgur
SPC Samuel Yeboah
SPC Danni Osorioalvarenga Repairer (15D)PFC Judah Wolf * - DG
SPC Britton GarzaClass 026-22
Class 006-22
Class 063-22
CPL Toni Alvir
PFC David Gill, Jr
PFC Chanho Lee - DG
PV2 Jayden Kozloski * - DG PFC Anthony S. Pieper * - DG
SPC Jasmine Keeney
PV2 Biron Benjamin Boulay PFC Nick Gu
PV2 Joshua Ryan Adkins
SPC Hal Courson Jr
PFC Anna Liang
SPC Francis James Butler, III PFC George Hinds
PV2 Shawn Lee Allen Jr
SPC Jordan Earl
PFC Daquane Stephens
SPC Hans Veloso
PFC Brandon Z. Gerdau
PV2 Stephen Daniel Cloer
SPC Joseph Ebysantiago
PFC Brittney Tatem
Class 027-22
PV2 Mateusz Grabarczyk
PV2 Louie Steve Foy III
PV2 Edward LambrightPFC Zackary Frankson * - DG PV2 Jacob Toler
PV2 Nicole Ryan Griffith
PVT Pryce Ratka
PV2 Devin Trotter
SFC Khalid Al Anazi
PV2 Westin Gunnar Hill
PV2 Clayton Daniel Gourley
SSG Robert Tucker II
PV2 Tyler Wrase
PVT Adam Brown
PFC Deandre A/Nesbitt
PV2 Ndayishimiye Juste
SGT Roland Wong
SPC Itanza Wright
PFC Alfredo Castro Jr
PV2 Elizabeth C.Paveglio
PFC Joseph Edward Luker
Class 064-22
PFC Anthony Zavala
SPC Joshua Harvey
PV2 Angels C.Williams
PFC Austen M. Maccherone
PFC Robert Spangler * - DG PFC Richard M. Olu Jordan
PV2 Juntong Zeng
PV2 Connor Johnson
Class 029-22
SPC Travis Beal
Class 060-22
PV1 Flynn M. Coffin * - DG PFC Nathan Nunez
SPC Rachel Carin Panacek
PFC Miguel Godinez * - DG PVT Dennis Cielenski
PV2 Zachary Peterson
PV2 Cody William Gilbert
PFC Komivi R.Semenou
PVT Tristan Hoffman
PV2 Shawn Aflague
PVT Leonardo Rosas
CPL Daniel Negrontorres
PFC Michael Lopez
PVT Clinto Alexander
PV2 Dakota Blayke Phillips
Aircraft Electrician (15F)
PVT Gloria Ramos
PFC Shon Byrd Jr
PV1 Shaun R. Rhowuniong UH-60 Helicopter
Class 011-22
PVT Brandyn Salinas
SPC Zachary Casper
Repairer (15T)
PV1 Corey Michael Smith
PV2 Ethan K. Okumura * - DG
PVT Justin Wallace
PFC Ethan Coker
PV1 Angel Christobal Soto Class 056-22
AIT Graduations
PV2 Jordan I. Lannerd * - DG PVT Christian Jacksonmckay Class 065-22
SPC Domonic Lee Tobin
Continued on next page
PFC Ganney Dortch - DG
SPC William Janise
PV2 Caroline M. Christie
AAAA congratulates thefollowing Army graduatesof the indicated Advanced
Individual Training (AIT)
courses at the 128th
Aviation Brigade, Joint Base
Langley-Eustis, VA and the
U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence, Ft. Rucker, AL.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

75

October 31, 2022

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u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT

People On The MoveAIT Graduations

PV2 Patrick Shane Ohagan PFC Anthony Amezquita
Class 010-22
PFC Brandon Gale
PV2 Jose Oceguedajones Jr * - DG PFC Jacob Hurysz
PV2 Keith Joseph Bellanger SPC Ali Abdulah Alsayed
PFC Keagan Liblin
PV2 Brian Keith Kulinski, Jr SPC Jamal Winston Browne PFC Kahli McDonald
PFC Jose Armando Lorenzo PV2 Cody Willard Brummitt PFC Rubuna Murphy
SFC Ahmad Mzannar
PFC James E.Mcclerkin, III PFC Jonathan Nevinger
PV2 Jeremy James Sooley PV2 Tayt E Miller
PFC Jorge Ramos
PV2 Craig Allen Taylor, Jr
SPC Kenneth Joseph Socci PFC Aaron Salo
SPC Jessica Marie Walker
PFC Amelia Weaver
Aviation Operations
PV2 Jonatan Servin
Aircraft Structural
Specialist (15P)
PV2 Kalala Siaosi
Repairer(15G)Class 22-021
Class 009-22
PFC Andrew Sayre - DG
Air Traffic Control
PFC Jared Buchele * - DG
PVT Terrell Irby
Operator (15Q)
CPL Mohammed Al Subaie PFC Keyshawn BoydClass 22-014
SGT Abdullah. Al Tubayri
PV2 Adely Guevara
PV2 Ryan Bolton - DG
PFC Quinton Alan Ashley
PVT Zackary Blackmore
SPC Miles Saker
PV2 Brady J. Bydynkowski PVT Jordan Brown
SPC Anne Zeiler
PV2 Jonathan M. Calloway PVT Parmida Ghazi
PV2 Juana JimenezVentura
PFC Chase Caudill
PVT Cameron GrossClass 22-015
PFC Nicholas Kane Corcoran Class 22-022
PFC Michael Mabey -DG
PFC Marek R.Ghabel
PFC Caroline Brown - DG
PFC Isaiah Beattie
SGT Garrett Edward Janisch PFC Stephanie Diaz Diaz
SPC Phoenix Braswell
SPC Julian Alexander
PFC Mason Duncan
SPC Austin Collins
Morales
PFC Jacqueline Esparza-Price PFC Michelle Beristain
Aircraft Hydraulics
PFC Karlee Hughes
PFC Haylee Bodden
Repairer (15H)
PFC Tyler Johnson
PFC Janae Hawkins
Class 008-22
PFC Austin Lanier
PFC James Peden
SSG Abdulelah A. H. Al Talhah PFC Kaylee Lawson
PV2 Saul Acosta
MAJ Mohamed Soliman
PFC Lakisha LouisClass 22-016
Elsayed Soliman Ali
PFC Tyler Ring
SPC James R. Pelfrey - DG
SGM Hussain Ali Aljahdami Class 22-201
SGT Micaela Santiago
SSG Drew Alexander Harrower PFC Jerritt Hargis - DG
SPC Melanie Camargo
SPC James Joseph Thacker SPC Michael Von Doerstein SPC Genesis SierraRivera
PFC Anyah Brown
SPC Walter Sprinkle
Avionic Repairer (15N)
PFC Brandon Cearing
PV2 Caleb Clark
Class 009-22
PFC Ryan Dooley
PV2 Bonnie MaderPFC Jessay A. Colon * - DG PFC Joseph Grabowski
PV2 Nicholas Swope
SPC Isabel Camacho
PFC Amrita Kaur
PV2 Akylah Washington
PV2 John E.Comstock II
PFC Delon Norwood
Class 22-017
PFC Jayce Lee Enriquez
PFC Tyler Schoonhoven
SPC Rajesh Adhikari
PFC Matthew Curtis Hicks
PVT Jamey Cardenas
SPC Miguel Echevarria
PFC Tyus Keshawn Jones, Sr Class 22-023
SPC Timothy Fieo
PFC Ladareion D.Lowe
PFC Landon Patterson - DG PV2 Izaiyah Castrillon
Continued

ARMY AVIATION Magazine76

UAS Operator
AH-64 Armament/
AAAA congratulates theElectrical/Avionic
Systems Repairer (15Y) following Army graduatesof the Unmanned AircraftClass 011-22
Systems Operator Course,
PV2 Brady Steven
MOS 15W,and 15C at Fort
Peckinpaugh * - DG
Huachuca, AZ.
CW2 Hamad Al Mushiri
PV2 Malik Wayne Boyett
PV2 Thomas Daniel Cisneros Shadow UAS Operator
PV2 Enrique Garciaesteves Course
8 Graduates, 4 August
PV2 Cameron Isaiah Guy
PV2 Dennis Quintanillajandres 2022
PV1 Keaton D. Richardson SSG Juan Disla *PV2 Mickey James Ugolini SPC Chaz Mitchell
PFC Emerald Hazzard
PFC Zachary William Wall
PFC Luis Iguaran
PFC Ebonee L. Williams
PFC Olivia Moss
PV2 Isaiah Georges
Unmanned
PV2 Harold Jones
Aircraft
PV2 Test Tes
Systems (UAS)
7 Graduates, 4 August
Graduations
2022
SPC Ian Francis
UAS REPAIRERPFC Cayden Tribble
AAAA congratulates the
PFC Tripp Watkins
following Army graduates
PV2 Michael Anthony Morrisof the Unmanned Aircraft
PV2 Malachi Pelesasa
Systems Repairer Course,
MOS 15E and 15M, at Fort PVT Micael Williams
PVT Kollyn Roach
Huachuca, AZ.
Shadow UAS Repairer
Course7 Graduates, 11 August2022
PFC Alicia Camarena
PFC Andrew Hearsey
PVT Beau Cristini
PVT Leo Francis
PVT Joshua Gabhart
PVT Paxton Walter
PV2 Jacob Williams
Grey Eagle UAS Repairer
Course13 Graduates, 4 August2022
SGT Jayson Pugh
SPC William Hite
SPC Trevor Wagner
SPC Elysa Sanchez
PFC Matthew Curry
PFC William Erb
PFC Aaron HallPFC Cindy Olascoagagallo
PV2 Elijah Avina
PV2 Aiden Cressman
PV2 Ryne Goins
PV2 Jose Jimenez
PV2 Rosio Tamayo

Grey Eagle UAS Operator
course24 Graduates, 25 August2022
SPC Nathan Colon
SPC Macey Dial
SPC Adrian Gonzalez
SPC Garry Mitchell
SPC Cale RiceSPC John Schwindt
PFC Jason Denote
PFC David Faugno
PFC Zachary Kaloust
PFC Jackson Martin
PFC Gabriel Perez
PFC David Selmon
PFC Paxton Smith
PV2 Nicolas Bonhomme
PV2 Dalton Distefano
PV2 Martin Gomez
PV2 Elvin Gonzalez
PV2 Johnathan Gutierrez
PV2 George Hatfield
PV2 Mauro Trahin
PV2 Jacob Wood
PVT Alexandra Dupra
PVT Kyler Leurt
PVT Chrystian Perkins
DG - Distinguished Graduate
HG - Honor Graduate* = AAAA Member

October 31, 2022

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

AAAA EVENTS APPAAAA Cribbins Army Aviation
Readiness Conference
November 14-16, 2022 | Von Braun Center | Huntsville, AL

AAAA Scholarships are agreat way to help ouraviation soldiers andfamilies achieve theireducational goals.

FREE
DOWNLOADACCESS TO
22CRIBBINSYour legacy iswhat you leavebehind for thosethat follow.

22

Cribbins+ Search for Exhibitors+ Review the Agenda+ View the Floor Plan
+ Learn about Speakers+ Receive Event Alerts

iPhoneAndroid

IS YOUR ESTATE
PLAN COMPLETE?

2022

ARMY AVIATION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (AAAA)

Joseph P. Cribbins Golf Tournament
WHEN:

Sunday, 13 November, 8:00 A.M., Shotgun Start

WHERE:

Robert Trent Jones, Hampton Cove (Highlands and River courses)

FORMAT:

18 Holes, 4 Person Captains Choice

WHERE:$100 / person. (The all-inclusive cost includes cart, greens fee,
range balls, breakfast, lunch, drink tickets and 2 Mulligans).
Net proceeds go to the AAAA – Tennessee Valley Chapter
Scholarship Fund

PRIZES:

There will be a Hole in One contest and other competitions withgreat prizes as well as a number of giveaways. Place prizes for
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (on both courses – 8 winning teams)

Entry cutoff is 60 Teams on a first come, first serve basis.
*Entry is not official until full payment is received.

Corporate
Sponsorship
Available s

We will attempt to place individual players on a team.

Will
AAAA ScholarshipFoundation
Planned Giving

Revocable Trust
Financial Power of Attorney
Durable Power of Attorneyfor Healthcare
Consider adding the AAAA
Scholarship Foundation to
your will. Your gifts will continue
to help others fund their college
education after your lifetime.
Learn more atwww.quad-a.org/scholarship
Contact Joanne Hansrote
203-268-2450, ext. 130
or scholarship@quad-a.org

Contact Bradley Bruce (256) 698-2186 or Bradleynbruce@live.com

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

77

October 31, 2022

Art’s

Attic

By Mark Albertson

Art’s Attic is a look back each issue at 25 and 50 years ago tosee what was going on in ARMY AVIATION Magazine. Contributing
editor Mark Albertson has selected a few key items from each
decade’s issues. Art Kesten is our founder and first publisher
from 1953 to 1987. He is also the founder of the AAAA in 1957
and served as its Executive Vice President. The cartoon, right,
was created back in 1953 by LT Joe Gayhart, a friend of Art’sand an Army Aviator, showing the chaos of his apartment-officein New York City where it all began.

25 Years Ago,

50 Years Ago,

October 31, 1997

October 1972

The Women’s Memorial

Sky King

On October 18, 1997, The Women’sMemorial honoring the women
who have served in our nation’s
Armed Forces was dedicated at
Arlington National Cemetery.
Located at the main entrance,
The Women’s Memorial and its
Education Center will be a place for servicewomen, historians,
scholars, teachers, children and the general public to come andparticipate in discussions, view films and photographs, and gain
information on women in the military. For more information,
contact Women in Military Service for America Foundation at(703) 533-1155, Dept. 560. Washington, D.C., 20042-0560

Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded
CWO Hank Ainsworth(Ret.) (center), receives
Distinguished Flying Cross
Award from Major General
John M. Pickler (left), thenCommander at Fort Carson, Colorado. Looking on
is Mrs. Ainsworth.

Congressional Airpower
Caucus

AAAA sponsored the Congressional Airpower Caucus
Breakfast, September 11, 1997. Location was the Rayburn
House Office Building. AAAA Senior Vice President, Major
General Carl H. McNair (Ret.), addressed the assembled
congressmen on AAAA’s efforts to support our nation’s defense.
Left to right: Rep.
Terry Everett (R) AL2; Rep. Buck McKeon,
CA-25; Rep. Saxby
Chambliss, (R) GA8, Caucus CoChairman; General
Dennis J. Reimer,
Chief of Staff, U.S.
Army and Major
General McNair.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

78

Members of the Embry-Riddle
AAAA Chapter in Daytona
Beach, are the audience for Kirby
Grant, from the “Sky King”
TV series.
Mr. Grant
sp okeabout his early years flying and, about a
new TV series. A second presenter, LTC
Donald Bissell, USAAVS, lectured on
aviation safety.

For the Record

The Army Deputy Surgeon General, Major General (Dr.)
Spurgeon H. Neel, M.D., is the first Army officer to be named
President of the prestigious Aerospace Medical Association.
The Association is concerned, in particular, with the medical
aspects of flying and how man adapts to unusual environmentsof operation. Installed on May 11, Dr. Neel is considered the“father” of the Army’s contemporary medicine program. He
is recognized with the development of the helicopter ambulance system used in Vietnam and the model forthe highly effective, civilian-oriented Military
Assistance to Safety in Traffic (MAST) program.
General Neel is the recipient of Army Aviation’s
top safety award, AAAA’s “James L. McClellen
Trophy,” in 1962.

The General and His Pilot

Army Chief of Staff, General
William C. Westmoreland,chats with Captain James Viele,
just prior to their flight. Captain
Viele flew General Westmoreland by “Huey” from Burlington, Vermont to Norwich University, where General Westmoreland delivered a commencement address. Captain Viele,
now a pilot with the Vermont
National Guard’s 186th Aviation Battalion, had flown GeneralWestmoreland while serving in Vietnam.
October 31, 2022

Army Aviation

Hall of Fame
Lieutenant Colonel
Paul A. Bloomquist,
Deceased
Army Aviation Hall of Fame 2015 Induction –Nashville, TN

The Army Aviation Hallof Fame, sponsored by
the Army Aviation
Association of America,
Inc., recognizes thoseindividuals who have madean outstanding c­ ontribution
to Army A­ viation.

The actual Hall of Fame
is located in the
Army Aviation Museum,
Fort Rucker, Ala.

The deadline fornominations for the2024 induction isJune 1, 2023

Contact the AAAA
National Office for details
and nomination forms at(203) 268-2450 or visit
www.quad-a.org

ARMY AVIATION MagazineThroughout his short, but brilliant career, LTC
Paul A. Bloomquist represented the very highest
traditions of Army Aviation and strongly
promoted the DUSTOFF spirit. Graduating fromthe Helicopter Officer’s Course in 1954, his initialassignment was with the 54th Medical Detachment(Helicopter Ambulance) in South Korea.
After he returned to the U.S., his keen aviatorskills were called on during a massive snowstorm that blanketed much of
the northeast, in the winter of 1958. Flying a UH-19 helicopter in extremely
hazardous conditions, Lieutenant Bloomquist logged 55 rescue missions andmade 62 drops of food, medicine, and emergency supplies to travelers, farmers,
and villagers cut off by the heavy snow and earned his first DFC.
It was during his initial tour in Vietnam that CPT Bloomquist distinguishedhimself as one of the Army’s finest military officers and premier aviators. He kept
extending his stay in county, and during 21 months of daily combat flying, wascited for heroism several times. Among his four Distinguished Flying Crosses, aBronze Star, three Purple Hearts, thirty-six Air Medal citations, one of his DFC
actions exemplifies the kind of courageous and dedicated pilot he had become.
On 21 June 1964, Bloomquist’s helicopter was struck by enemy fire thatwounded him. He disregarded his own wounds and continued flying theremainder of the day and well into the night, logging nearly 13 hours of flighttime until all of the casualties were evacuated. Only then, did he seek care for his
own wounds. Experienced and blooded, Paul Bloomquist was the personificationof charisma. A proud and almost defiant man by nature, he served as an
outstanding role model for the younger pilots in his unit. Captain Bloomquist
never refused a mission despite the enemy situation or bad weather, and heseemed to be at his happiest when flying the most difficult missions. Because of
his heroic service in Vietnam, Captain Bloomquist was selected as the AAAA’s“Army Aviator of the Year” in 1964.
Major Bloomquist returned to Vietnam in April of 1967 where he continued
his “mission first” attitude. His knowledge of combat flying and leadershipskills proved especially valuable during the “TET of 1968” when thousands ofAmerican and Vietnamese servicemen and civilians were wounded or killed.
After promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he was assigned to the 3rd Armored
Division in Germany during a particularly difficult time in our nation’s history
with rampant drug, social, and racial problems in the ranks. LTC Bloomquist
attacked these issues head on and was able to quickly channel his soldiers’
energies toward productive goals and maintain a high state of unit readiness.
On 11 May 1972, after spending his normal long day at the office, he walked
across the street from the headquarters building to the Officers Club to exchange
dollars in order to take his wife to dinner. As he started up the stairs to the Club,a series of three violent explosions occurred, killing him instantly. The terroristgroup Baader-Meinhof gang, claimed responsibility.
Although his career ended far too early, he left behind a proud legacy ofdedication, excellence, and unmatched courage for all Army aviators and crews
to follow. He is a DUSTOFF hero and exemplar who made outstanding andenduring contributions to Army Aviation through his actions and selfless service.
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October 31, 2022

X2 Technology: Transforming
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www.lockheedmartin.com/defiantx©2022 Lockheed Martin Corporation and The Boeing Company. All rights reserved.
Effort sponsored by the U.S. Government under Other Transaction number W9124P-19-9-0001 between AMTC
and the Government. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental
purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon.
The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily
representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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October 31, 2022