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November 30, 2020

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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November 30, 2020

10

Contents
November 30, 2020, Vol. 69, No. 1 1
14

TO THE FIELD
10

Army Aviation Branch Chief's Corner
By MG David J. Francis		
14
Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch Update		
By CW5 Rich Tiu

18

18

Branch Command Sergeant Major Update
By CSM Brian N. Hauke

22

Combat Readiness Center Update
By BG Andrew C. Hilmes

24

Reserve Component Aviation Update
By COL Joseph W. Bishop

26

128th Aviation Brigade Update
By SSG Israel D. Lopez

		
		
		

		

27

		

20

AMRDEC Tech Talk
By Michael J. Kane, Ph.D.

28		Ask the Flight Surgeon		

By CPT (Dr.) Frank C. Stafford

SPECIAL FOCUS — Unmanned Aircraft Systems
30

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – Evolving the portfolio toadapt to the future operational environment
By COL J. Scott Anderson

32

Army Special Operations Aviation UAS Integration In Multi-		Domain Operations
By MAJ Joshua Bell and MAJ Kristin Yampaglia

		32

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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November 30, 2020

Contents
November 30, 2020, Vol. 69, No. 1 1

SPECIAL FOCUS — Air Traffic Control
34

34

Army Air Traffic Controllers Support Operations in East Africa
By LTC Keith A. Haskin

36

PM Assured Access Airspace Systems Reorganization
By LTC Adam Moodie, CPT Scott Betancourt and SFC Eric 		
Drabenstot

38

Army Airfields – Keeping Aviation Operations Safe
By COL Dan Morris, Mr. Sean Boger, and LTC Curt Byron

SPECIAL FOCUS - Fixed Wing
38

42

The Fixed Wing Project Office and Army Fixed Wing Aviation –Revolutionary Teaming Between the U.S. Army and Industry 		
Creates a High-Altitude Deep Sensing Capability
By COL James DeBoer and Ms. Tracey Ayres

44

Delivering Capability Today: Pivoting to the Future
By Mr. Dennis A. Teefy

46

US Army OSA Fixed Wing Provides Direct Capability in 		
Response to COVID-19
By LTC Scott Messare

48

42

Army Reserve Fixed Wing: Anytime, Anywhere
By COL Roger Deon, LTC Wayne Schaitel and MAJ Dan Sears								50 Army National Guard Fixed Wing Training
By CW2 Jim Smith and LTC Wade Johnson.

FROM THE FIELD
52

597th Support Maintenance Detachment – Providing
Below-Depot Support to the National Guard Bureau
By CW3 Marvin De Ocampo

DEPARTMENTS
46

54

AAAA NEWSAAAA President’s Cockpit........................................................................................................8
AAAA VP Chapter Affairs.......................................................................................................58
Chapter News.........................................................................................................................59
AAAA VP Membership...........................................................................................................60
New Members........................................................................................................................61
AAAA Family Forum.................................................................................................................62
AAAA Legislative Report........................................................................................................64
AAAA Scholarship Foundation............................................................................................56
ARMY AVIATION COMMUNITY NEWS
Advertisers Index......................................................................................................................65
Art’s Attic.......................................................................................................................................69
Briefings...........................................................................................................................................6
Enlisted Soldier Spotlight........................................................................................................16
Hall of Fame................................................................................................................................. 70
Historical Perspective.............................................................................................................54
Industry News.............................................................................................................................65
People on the Move................................................................................................................66

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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November 30, 2020

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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November 30, 2020

Briefings
Gold Star Families Exhibit
Dedicated at Pentagon

Publisher / William R. Harris Jr.
Editor / CW4 (Ret.) Joseph L. Pisano Sr.
editor@quad-a.org

Web Edition / Trudy Hodenfieldtrudy@quad-a.org
Contributing Editor / Mark Albertson
mark@quad-a.org

Army GEN Mark A. Milley, chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, attends a ribbon-cutting
ceremony for the dedication of the Gold Star
Families display at the Pentagon, Oct. 26,
2020. Gold Star families are the familiesof military service members who have diedin the line of duty. The display honors theservice member’s ultimate sacrifice while
acknowledging the family’s loss, grief andcontinued healing.

Family Forum Editor / Judy Konitzer
judy@quad-a.org
Advertising Director / Robert C. Lachowski
bob@quad-a.org
Advertising Manager / Erika Burgess
erika@quad-a.org
Marketing Director / Jennifer Chittem
jenn@quad-a.org

Cutchin Takes Commandof ARAC

Circulation Department
Deb Cavallaro
Debbie Coley
Joanne Hansrote
Elisabeth Mansson
Web Master / Mary Seymour
mary@quad-a.org
Editorial Address
593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806
Tel: (203) 268-2450 / Fax: (203) 268-5870

ARMYAVIATIONmagazine.com

On The Cover
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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

U.S. ARMY RESERVE AVN. CMD. PHOTO BY MAJ ERIC CONNOR

Social Media Manager / Chelsea Jarvis
chelsea@quad-a.org

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY QUENTIN JOHNSON, CCAD PAO

Director of Design & Production
Anne H. Ewing
magazine@quad-a.org

CCAD Rolls Out First
UH-60VDOD PHOTO BY NAVY PO1 CARLOS M. VAZQUEZ II

Associate Editor / CW5 Adam Jarvis
adam@quad-a.org

2018 and takes command of the 81st Readiness Division at Fort Jackson, SC, Nov. 14.

The first Victor model of the UH-60 Black
Hawk utility helicopter produced at Corpus
Christi Army Depot rolled off the line last monthahead of a 2021 fielding, according to the U.S.
Army’s program executive officer for aviation.
The Victor model converts a Lima-model Black
Hawk with an analogue cockpit to a new digital one. This replacement better matches thecapability of the UH-60 Mike model, the latest
variant of the helicopter. Success with the Victor model is part of an overarching focus ona modular open-system approach needed for
future vertical lift technology.

Army-Navy Game to be
at USMA

BG H. Allan Cutchin (left) receives the Army
Reserve Aviation Command colors from MG
A.C. Roper, deputy commanding generalof U.S. Army Reserve Command, during achange of command ceremony on Oct. 31,2020 at Fort Knox, KY. Cutchin, who mostrecently served as the commander, 244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint
Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ, assumedcommand from BG(P) Jami Shawley (right)
who has served in the position since July

The 121st Army-Navy football game, originally scheduled to be played in Philadelphia
in December, will now take place at Michie
Stadium at the U.S. Military Academy inWest Point, New York. The change is a resultof Pennsylvania’s coronavirus pandemic restrictions on outdoor events. The West Point
statement also indicates fan attendance will
likely not be allowed at the stadium beyond
the Corps of Cadets and Brigade of Midshipmen. This will be the first time an Army-Navyfootball game has been played at a homestadium since the Naval Academy hosted thegame in 1942 and West Point in 1943. Navycurrently leads in the series 61 wins versus
Army’s 52. The game will be televised by
CBS Sports at 3 p.m. EST on Dec. 12.

National Award Nominations are OPEN!

Suspense is January 1, 2021. Forms at www.quad-a.org
Take care of your Soldiers and Units by nominating them for Crew Chief of the Year,
ARNG Unit of the Year, and more. Note: for Unit nominations, it is strongly
recommended that you also nominate at least one associated Individual Award fromthe unit for recognition. Soldiers make your success possible!

6

November 30, 2020

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u President’s Cockpit

Adapting to Ensure SuccessAs I write this “Cockpit” for our November issue of Army Aviation, our Armycontinues to soldier on and address head-on training, readiness andmodernization challenges, in spite of the continued COVID related impacts aroundthe world.

We at AAAA are doing so as well,although you probably are now awarethat we have postponed our November
Cribbins symposium until January 2022 and rescheduled our ASE forum
from December to this coming summer.
The reality is that we work together
with Army Aviation senior leaders tomake these events a success for the
Army, and when Health Protection
Condition (HPCON) limitations
curtail or limit Soldiers’ travel to theevents, then we must reschedule. We
remain committed to sponsoring highquality symposia that connect Army
Aviation Soldiers and leaders, industry,
media, and our members.
In this issue we cover down on unmanned aircraft systems, air traffic services, and fixed wing programs, providing our program managers and department leads the opportunity to update us.
Our Branch Chief, MG Dave Francis,
highlights the criticality of both the
Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) and Airlaunched Effects (ALE) as we address
the A2AD operating environment andArmy Aviation’s mission to penetrateand exploit within that construct. He
also talks about the recent warfighting
experimentation at Yuma Proving
Grounds – Project Convergence – where
the Future Vertical Lift CFT worked
with other CFTs to try out new means
and methods within a Multi-Domain
Operations battlefield.
COL Joe Bishop, chief of the Aviation Division at the Army National
Guard Directorate, National Guard Bureau, discusses recent organizational andstaff function changes at the Directorate. The Director, ARNG implemented

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

these changes “to focus on improving
the functionality and effectiveness of thestaff sections across the ARNG Directorate and to better serve the interestsof the National Guard of the 54 States,
Territories and the District of Columbia as well as better support the Army.”
With continued overseas deployments
as well as assisting civil authorities withfighting wildfires and helping hurricane
victims, it has been an especially busy
year for our National Guard!
COL (Retired) Lou Bonham provides a superb update on incredible work
done by the AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc: it’s amazing to realize thatsince its inception in 1963, over 5,000
scholarships totaling $8.6 million havebeen provided to our members and theirfamilies. Lou also thanks retiring Scholarship Foundation Program Manager
Sue Stokes for her exceptional contributions to the foundation, its board, and all
AAAA members. On the behalf of all
AAAA members, let me add our own
thanks and congratulations: Sue, youare a treasure! We also want to welcome
incoming Program Manager Joanne
Hansrote: we look forward to working
with you, Joanne!
This month we also want tocongratulate Army Aviation Branch
CSM Brian Hauke on a job well-done,
as he prepares to retire, and we welcome
incoming Branch CSM Jimmy Wilson.
CSM Hauke has made a huge positive
impact on our Branch and its Soldiers,
and we wish him the best in his futureendeavors. We look forward to working
with CSM Wilson as we strive to best
meet the needs and expectations of ourEnlisted Soldiers!

8

Finally, we congratulate Mr. Don
Nitti, civilian deputy to the AMCOM
Commanding General, for his selection
and recent recognition as the AUSA
Region Three and Huntsville Chapter
Civilian of the Year. Many of us have
known and worked with Don over the
past years: he is a true professional andhas long made exceptional contributions
to Army Aviation. Congrats, Don!
We at AAAA are always working
to remain relevant to our membershipand our branch. To ensure we arelistening to and working with our
younger generations of Army Aviators
and Aviation Soldiers, we have added
new board members to our National
Board over the past year. Many of you
have met and talked with SGT Ashley
Sanchez and 2LT Chance Mathias who
have made great contributions to theboard already. At Ft. Rucker, Chance
has been the lead in pulling together
an informal team of peers and working
with AAAA Director of Member
Engagement, Laura Arena – they are
giving us great new and exciting ideas
to implement. One such idea that I am
especially interested in is a mentorshipprogram. More to follow on that in thenext issue of our magazine!
Stay healthy! As always, I pledge toensure that AAAA does its part to help
YOU: our soldiers, families, and seniorleaders!

MG Jeff Schloesser, U.S. Army
Retired34th President, AAAA
jeff.schloesser@quad-a.org

November 30, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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November 30, 2020

u Army Aviation Branch Chief's Corner

Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System(FTUAS) and Air Launched Effects (ALE)

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SPC JAVION SIDERS, 92ND COMBAT CAMERA COMPANY

By MG David J. FrancisLayered stand-off is the real enemy in Multi-Domain
Operations. Our adversaries employ it at all levels– economic, political and military – to separate us from
our allies in order to achieve their strategic means
short of igniting conflict.

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SPC JAVION SIDERS, 92ND COMBAT CAMERA COMPANY

An Air Launched Effects (ALE) system islaunched from a UH-60L Black Hawk as part ofcapabilities testing during Project Convergenceat Yuma Proving Ground, AZ, Sept. 15, 2020.
The autonomous weapons system was designed
to launch from in-flight aircraft at high tactical
altitudes.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

10

If conflict does come, they will employ
multiple layers of stand-off in all
domains to separate our forces in time,
space, and function in an attempt todefeat us.
Our adversaries have establisheda robust Anti-Access/Area Denial(A2AD) capability. One of Army
Aviation’s significant missions, inconjunction with the rest of the Joint
Combined Arms Force, is to find or
create a gap and negate this capability.
To prevail we must penetrate and disintegrate the threat’s A2AD systems

An Air Launched Effects (ALE) system is loaded
onto a UH-60L Black Hawk as capabilities
testing commences during Project Convergence,
at Yuma Proving Ground, AZ, Sept. 15, 2020.
November 30, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

11

November 30, 2020and exploit the resultant freedom of
maneuver to defeat their systems,
formations and objectives so as toachieve our own strategic objectives.
Within our innovative modernization
strategy there are two prominent andcomplementary systems that address thismission set and provide reach, survivability
and lethality – Future Tactical Unmanned
Aircraft System (FTUAS) and Air
Launched Effects (ALE).
FTUAS is a substantial increase ofcapability at the brigade combat team(BCT) level that provides groundforces the capacity to project power
into the other domains to defeat ourvery capable adversaries. To fully
enable these capabilities, FTUAS
will require the ability to be runway
independent and to interact withmulti-role air vehicles that optimize
manned-unmanned teaming for air
and ground maneuver units across allenvironments. These systems are being
optimized to generate overmatch andprovide the ground commander withmultiple options, specifically to enable
joint force freedom of maneuver.
Air Launched Effects (ALE)

represents an asymmetric approachthat will be part of the Future Attack
ReconnaissanceAircraft (FARA)
ecosystem, and the overall effort
for Army Aviation to overcome
our advisories’ stand-off strategy.
These small, air or ground launchedloitering aircraft will provide Future
Vertical Lift (FVL)/FARA optionallylethal and optionally-recoverable
systems that enable us to regain theadvantage in reach, protection, andlethality required in the execution of
joint combined arms and maneuver
operations. ALE provides a means forArmy Aviation to extend its reach andlethality to conduct reconnaissance,
security, and attack operations during
the penetration, dis-integration, andexploitation of enemy A2AD systems
in the close and deep maneuver areas.
ALE is able to detect, identify, locate,and report threats, represent a credible
decoy, disrupt threat communication,
targeting and acquisition systems, anddeliver lethal and non-lethal effects.
Currently
the
FVL
CrossFunctional Team (CFT) is achieving
significant successes with ALE at

Project Convergence, which is ongoingat Yuma Proving Ground. Project
Convergence brings all the CFTs to
Yuma to test and experiment with theirsystems in an MDO environment toensure that they function as desired,
and that they function with each other.
The combination of FTUAS and
ALE are game-changing capabilities
that will undoubtedly have considerable
impact on the joint force’s ability to
disrupt our adversary’s layered standoff strategy and create windows ofopportunity. However, Army Aviation- as part of the Combined Arms Team- must be ready to take advantageof these windows with the ability tomaneuver across strategic distances,
employ capabilities across all domains,and pose multiple and compounding
dilemmas on the adversary.
Above the Best!

FIXED WINGROTARY WINGGROUND COMBAT VEHICLESMG David J. Francis is the Army
Aviation branch chief and commanderof the U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence and Fort Rucker, AL.

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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November 30, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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November 30, 2020

u Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch Update
This issue is focused on our Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the soldiers who operate the equipment. I have reached out to CW5Rich Tiu, member of the USAREUR staff, and asked him to highlight UAS operations in our European theater. Developing innovative
solutions to the complex problems we face will make us successful on the next battlefield. Above The Best!
CW5 Koziol

Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems
in USAREUR-AF
By CW5 Rich Tiu

The United States Army Europe &Africa (USAREUR-AF) TUAS havebeen present and continue to be
operational in Europe since the civil war
in Bosnia-Herzegovina erupted in theearly 1990s.

assigned and stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany,
where they conduct TUAS flight operations more frequently
than any other European countries. The U.S. Army Europe& Africa has led the Department of Defense’s Atlantic
Resolve land efforts since April 2014, by bringing units basedin the United States to operate in Europe for nine months
on a rotating basis. There are three types of Atlantic Resolve
rotational forces – armored, aviation, and the sustainment
task force, which have organic TUAS platoons. These
rotations are overseen by a Division (Forward) element,
and a regionally aligned headquarters element based in
Poland. These deployments of ready, combat-credible UnitedStates forces to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve isirrefutable evidence of the firm and continuing United Statescommitment to NATO and our European partners.

U.S. ARMY JMRC PHOTO

The USAREUR-AF’s permanent forces include maneuver
units such as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) and 173rd
Airborne Brigade (173d IBCT(A)). The TUAS platoons are

U.S. Army Shadow Tactical UAS in position to launch at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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November 30, 2020

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November 30, 2020

The United States Army and its NATO Allies continue
to push the limits of tactical occupation and operation of the
RQ-7Bv2 Shadow TUAS to be prepared for future challenges.
During the maneuver units’ Combat Training Center (CTC)
rotation in Hohenfels, Germany, at the Joint Multinational
Readiness Center, the TUAS Platoons, in conjunction withthe unit’s Engineers, broke new ground and set the standard
on conducting flight operations during a CTC rotation by
establishing an expeditionary airstrip. The expeditionary
airstrip was constructed and followed by the tactical occupationand initiation of flight operations, a physical demonstrationof the Shadow TUAS’s capability as a true Reconnaissance,
Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) asset for the
maneuver units, which meets the commander’s intent.
Throughout the USAREUR-AF Operational Exercise insupport of Atlantic Resolve, 2CR TUAS Platoon conducted
the first tactical road march of more than 3,000 kilometersand successfully conducted flight operations in two countries(Poland and Lithuania). While operating in Poland, the TUAS
Platoon conducted flights in host nation airspace controlled
by a Joint Terminal Air Controller ( JTAC) in an austereenvironment while operating from an expeditionary airstrip.
Operating in Lithuania, the TUAS Platoon conducted flights
in host nation airspace controlled by the local international
airport tower and control center. Meanwhile, the Atlantic
Resolve rotational forces had to establish a launch andrecovery site while maneuvering in the European theater. In
coordination with the host nations, the Shadow Platoons
developed the Standard Operating Procedure for the Training
Area with great success. The 1st Attack Reconnaissance

Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation
Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, established a grass airstrip on
the Polish Air Force base along the active runway, located near
Powidz, Poland.
In Greece, the 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th
Cavalry Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division established a Joint Standard Operating Procedures for
Shadow TUAS operations at Stefanovikieo Airbase, Greece.
Winter operations in northern Europe occasionally requires
alternate training solutions when weather conditions do notsupport consistent training opportunities. USAEUR has now
expanded training opportunities in Greece. The expansionof these flight operations in Greece allowed the maneuver
units to exercise and practice complete unit movements
while maintaining mission readiness on an annual basis. The
USAREUR-AF and Rotational Forces TUAS continue tochallenge the status quo successfully. They are continuously
searching for methods to expand and conduct UAS flight
operations here in Europe, enhancing the alliance with ourNATO partners.
Above the Best!

CW5 Jonathan P. Koziol is the chief warrant officer of the Aviation
Branch with the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort
Rucker, AL.
CW5 Rich Tiu is the USAREUR G-3 Aviation UAS Chief,
stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany.

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November 30, 2020

u Branch Command Sergeant Major

Opportunities, Make the Most of Them!
By CSM Brian N. HaukeAs I sign off the net and gather my thoughts formy final article as our Aviation Branch Command
Sergeant Major, I thought it would be fitting to write
about opportunity and making the most of thoseopportunities given to us.
With my pending retirement rapidly
approaching, I find myself reflecting on
the last 30 years of “opportunities.”
In 1990, I was a wide-eyed, naïve
young man who stepped off the bus at
Fort Jackson, South Carolina for basic combat training. Never, and I mean
never, would I have thought back thenthe Army and Army Aviation would afford me so many opportunities over theyears. I suspect the experience is similar
for everyone who has served, whether it
is for 3 years or 30 years.
For most of us, there’s no doubt theplan was to do far less than 31 years. I
know it was this young man’s plan, forsure. Then, bam it’s 30+ years later! The
Army and our branch gave me purposeand direction as a young man, and it gave
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

me hundreds if not thousands of opportunities. Opportunities that allowed me
to build lifelong skills in leadership, pride,
professionalism, performance, and priorities, just to name a few. Rest assured I will
use these skills for the rest of my life. I’ve
been given plenty of opportunities to failover the course of my career. Additionally, we all must be given opportunity tofail, as this is key to our development. In
fact, Henry Ford stated, “Failure is simply
the opportunity to begin again, this time
more intelligently.” Leaders, I urge you togive your Soldiers opportunity in training, so they are ready when it counts!
I’d like to publicly thank a few
individuals and teams with whom I
have served. First, MG William Gayler
for giving me the opportunity to serve18

as the 16th Aviation Branch Command
Sergeant Major and MG David Francis
for allowing me the opportunity tocontinue to serve our branch. Both ofthese leaders are without a doubt the
epitome of professional warriors. Thankyou for allowing me the freedom of
movement to serve all of our Soldiers,families, and their best interests. The
Fort Rucker and Aviation Center of
Excellence Team you astound me every
day in everything you do for our Army,
the Fort Rucker community, Army
Aviation, and its Soldiers and their
Families. MG (Ret.) Jeff Schloesser andthe entire Army Aviation Associationof America team thank you for allowing
our senior NCOs across the branch tohave this venue to share on a monthly
basis. And, for having our Soldiers andtheir best interests at the forefront of all
AAAA stands for. It is truly reassuring
to know that you have our backs!
Many things in the Army arecertain. The most certain of all is that
the Army is full of opportunities! I
will miss the opportunities! Over theyears, I’ve had opportunities to serve on
November 30, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

19

November 30, 2020

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 2019 National winners were featured in the April/May AAAA Army Aviation State of the Union issue.

SPC Dolphise Colomb

Company A, Special Troops Battalion,
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
Fort Bliss, TX

Unmanned Aircraft System Soldier of the Year Award, 2013

AAPI FILE PHOTO

Sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

SPC Dolphise Colomb demonstrated superior knowledge, professionalism and leadershipas a tactical unmanned aircraft systems (TUAS) instructor operator. He quickly rose to
the role of subject matter expert, mentor and role model to junior and senior operators
alike. Setting the standard for work ethic, he heeded the call of excellence by working
long hours to ensure accomplishment of all tasks during system deployment operations.
He has proved repeatedly that he is truly the backbone of the unit Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems operation. He excelled
throughout the challenges of limited equipment, time and personnel. He constantly drives as a professional to perform every
task and mission assigned well above the set standards. He meticulously trains and builds his 12 operators towards becoming
fully readiness level progressed, totally mission ready and capable; all while maintaining a zero discrepancy and zero mishaps
record as an instructor operator during this period. He motivates his subordinates by demonstrating genuine concern for theirwell-being, assisting them with solid solutions for personal problems.

MOTS AIRFIELD LIGHTINGSYSTEM UPGRADE
RAPIDLYDEPLOYABLEINTEGRATEDTRAILER CHARGINGSOLAR POWEREDAIRFIELD LIGHTS

Available for Procurement via Special Operational
Equipment Tailored Logistics Support (SOE TLS) Program
Laurie Forand

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

386.589.9122

l.forand@avlite.com

20

some incredible teams. These include
the 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry; 7thBattalion, 227th Aviation Regiment;
498th Air Ambulance Company; theMontgomery Recruiting Company;
2nd Bn., 82nd Avn. Regiment; 601st
Avn. Spt. Bn.; 2nd Bn., 3rd Avn. Regt.;
1st Sqdn., 17th Cav. Regt., 25th Combat
Aviation Brigade, the Rheinland-Pfalz
Garrison, and of course our very own
Aviation Center of Excellence.
Lastly, a few years ago, I read an anonymous quote about opportunity that I’dlike to share here; “Today is not just another day. It’s a new opportunity, anotherchance, a new beginning. So, embrace it.”As I sign off the net and move onto mynext opportunity, it has been my honor
to share the field of battle and serve thisgreat nation with each one of you!
Make the most of your opportunities!
Above the BestCSM Hauke
brian.n.hauke.mil@mail.mil
Editor’s Note: We at ARMY AVIATION
greatly appreciate the support from CSM
Hauke over the years and wish him andhis wife, Christi, all the best as they moveinto a well-deserved retirement!
November 30, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

21

November 30, 2020

u Combat Readiness Center Update

Success in Army Aviation Safety
and the 4th Quarter Spike By BG Andrew C. Hilmes

D

For FY20, we recorded six Class A
mishaps for the year, while still flying
90 percent of flying hours compared toFY19. Unfortunately, of the six mishaps
in FY20, three were fatal and claimed
the lives of seven Soldiers compared to
two Army fatalities during FY19. The
current manned Class A mishap rate
for FY20 is .65 per 100K flying hours,
the lowest rate and total number ofClass A mishaps on record. However,while these statistics are promising,
the Army must continue to strive toimprove safety through awareness andoverall unit culture.
There are several comprehensive initiatives that contributed to this reduction.
Among them are a campaign to address
the 4th Quarter Spike in Aviation mishaps that occurred over the past five years.
Of all Class A mishaps from FY15 to
FY19, 40 percent occurred in the fourth
quarter, while flying hours remained relatively constant across the quarters. The
USACRC and senior Army leadership
launched an information campaign inMarch covering managing transitions,
unit assessments, training management,
environmental training, crew selection,fighter management, and maintenance.
The Chief of Staff, Army endorsed thiscampaign with a message to the Aviation
force in June, reiterating the convergenceof these complex factors. Additionally,
we addressed both the Forces Command
and Training and Doctrine Command
commanders, who repeatedly reiterated
and reinforced the importance of taking
control of these risks through deliberate
planning and action. By acknowledging
and embracing these leading indicators,
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 MATTHEW BEAN

uring FY20, the Armycontinued seeing
vast improvements in
Aviation safety, especiallyin Class A mishaps.

U.S. Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, 28th Expeditionary
Combat Aviation Brigade, operating a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, conduct aviation operations aroundthe Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

the outstanding, proactive approaches
by commanders resulted in a significant
reduction in mishaps throughout the year,
despite the changing COVID-19 environment.
Through involvement of the fullArmy Aviation Enterprise, specificinitiatives over the last two years include
the Aviation Trends/Safety Brief the
USACRC provides in person to Aviation
units and, amidst pandemic concerns, via
MS Teams. Additionally, the U.S. Army
Combat Readiness Center provides
safety focused briefings during Aviation
pre-command, NCOES and warrant
officer professional development courses.
Furthermore, the U.S. Army Aviation
Center of Excellence has developedand integrated Emergency Response
Methodology Training designed toensure appropriate responses to inflight emergencies, an area that led toa number of catastrophic mishaps thepast five years. The FY19 Class A ratesits 39.8 percent below the five-year
average (1.08), and at 6.12, the current
Class A-C mishap rate is 16 percent
lower than the five-year rate (7.30).
Working together, rapidly disseminating
analyzed information, and focusing
on the deliberate application of risk
management at all levels resulted in22

these historically low mishap rates.
Throughout FY20, Army Aviation
continued to fly almost 90 percentof the annual Flying Hour Program
since 2015. Risk management at thebattalion and company levels is the best
mishap prevention tool available to the
Army. The challenges associated with
COVID-19 and maintaining readinessmade commanders deliberate in theirplanning within all aspects of operations.
The Army Aviation Enterprise hascompleted the many challenges of FY20
in great shape and is postured for successas we start another fiscal year. We should
all take pride in our efforts, but this is
not the time to lessen our vigilance orassume we have a perfect system. We
are at our best when we flatten comms,
share information and trends (evenwhen it hurts), and spot check critical
functions to ensure adherence to theguidance we’ve issued. The USACRC
exists to support you. Let me knowwhat we can do to help with your loss
prevention efforts. Fly safe!
People First – Winning Matters.
Readiness Through Safety!
BG Andrew Hilmes is the commanding
general of the Combat Readiness Center,at Fort Rucker, AL.
November 30, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

23

November 30, 2020

u Reserve Components Aviation Update

Army National Guard Aviation at the
National Guard Bureau – Reorganizing and

Evolving The Directorate Organization By COL Joseph W. BishopI

wanted to share with the greater Aviation community
some changes here at the ARNG Directorate,
National Guard Bureau (NGB) in the makeup andalignment of staff functions and organization.

The Director, ARNG implemented
these changes to focus on improving
the functionality and effectiveness ofthe staff sections across the ARNG
Directorate and to better serve the interests of the National Guard of the 54
States, Territories and the District ofColumbia as well as better support theArmy.
The Aviation and Safety Division,
which many of you are familiar with,along with the ARNG’s Cyber Division and Missile Defense realigned to
the newly formed Aviation and Information Warfare Directorate. The nature and high demand of the Aviation,
Cyber and Missile Defense missions
coupled with the visibility that theseunique capabilities possess necessitateda focused Directorate (Aviation andInformation Warfare) that can facilitate greater mission effectiveness.

The Directorate Personnel – Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR)

The reorganization of the ARNG
Directorate was the impetus to establishing a new Aviation and Information Warfare OPR for personnel. The
General Officers that serve as the OPR
Leads direct the oversight, management and assignment of the Title 10
Active Guard Reserve (AGR) personnel populations within their respective
OPR. Unlike the Active Army, which
utilizes Human Resources Command
to manage the career paths of Soldiersfrom initial entry to end of service, the
ARNG Directorate OPRs bear the

ARMY AVIATION Magazineburden to recruit, career develop andmanage the officer, warrant officer andenlisted Title 10 AGR personnel.
The new Aviation and Information
Warfare OPR can segregate and stabilize the Aviation, Cyber and Missile
Defense AGR Soldiers into a robust
high quality and optimized OPR thatcan fulfill Directorate staffing demands.
The OPR will provide a transparent career management construct by acutely
overseeing the career management
process from point of entry until end ofservice, balance AGR Soldier and organizational pulls and allow us to betterfocus on other places of assignments
across the Army Aviation, Cyber andMissile Defense Architecture.

The Aviation Division

The mission and focus of NGB’s
Aviation Division is unchanged andtargeted on supporting the ARNG
Aviation Force and Army Aviation by
establishing policies and priorities, allocating resources and facilitating commitments that support Army Aviation.
The ARNG Aviation Division remains
an advocate for ARNG Aviation as awhole, within the Army Aviation Enterprise. The Aviation Division oversees the better part of $1.0 billion inprograms and contracts; as well asother high value resources, in the coordination of training, equipping andsustaining the ARNG Aviation Force.
The NGB’s Aviation Division performs roles and functions akin to
Headquarters Department of the
Army Aviation (DAMO-AV) and the24

Aviation Division in Headquarters U.S.
Army Forces Command.
The ARNG Aviation Division is
now organized with six distinct branchfunctions: Systems and Readiness,
Training and Operations, Logistics,
Safety / Standardization, Airfield Operations and Programs / Services. Eachbranch possesses staff expertise to fulfill the respective areas of operation andresponsibility and serves as focal points
working with other Army Aviation organizations while interacting with theStates and their Aviation Staff. The
Aviation Division Branches working
across the Army Aviation Enterprise
and with the States coordinate actions,guidelines, funding, safety, logistics,
global force management and airfield
support requirements. The success of
the Aviation Division is a tribute to the
Soldiers in the Aviation Division andtheir Aviation counterparts at the Statelevel working harmoniously to meet
ARNG Aviation objectives within the
total Aviation Army framework.

The Future

The new Aviation and Information Warfare Directorate, the Aviation Division and the OPR together
will strengthen NGB’s interoperability
and effectiveness across the Army, theAviation Enterprise and the ARNG.
The Army modernization priorities
and the Aviation efforts to develop thefuture Multi-Domain operational force
necessitates the ARNG having the appropriate supporting organizations aswell as Soldiers and leaders possessing
the right skills and education. I believe
the ARNG is moving in the right direction to meet those future realities.
“Always Ready, Always There!”
COL Joseph Bishop is the chief of the Aviation division of the Army National Guard
in Arlington, Virginia.
November 30, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

25

November 30, 2020

u 128th Aviation Brigade Update

Unity Through Community in the 128th
Aviation Brigade By SSG Israel D. Lopez

T

The 128th Brigade, like every unit in
the Army, could not escape this reality,
as the towns surrounding Fort Eustis,
Virginia, saw civil unrest become thenorm. Many sat and wondered what
could be done to heal this division.
This brigade, however, prides itself indeveloping leaders not just in Aviation,or in the Army, but in the broader
community. Great leaders are theagents of change the 128th seeks to leadthrough demonstrated, decisive action.
It was with this in mind that our team
decided our decisive action for change
in the community would be helping torestore an overgrown African American
Cemetery in Virginia, in an event wecalled Unity Through Community.
These gravesites, where the heroesof generations past were buried, hadbeen lost to time. Unsung heroes likeMrs. Mary Peake, a free black woman
who taught slaves to read and write
under the Emancipation Oak in
Hampton, Virginia, laid to rest in thevery community many members of the128th Brigade call home every day.
Another was Mrs. Janie Barrett, whoestablished the first settlement homefor black people of the time, and who
would petition the court system toturn over abandoned black girls into
her custody as she helped to create the
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

U.S. ARMY 128TH AVN BDE PHOTO

his summer, asprotests erupted
across the nation,
marches, stand-ins, andriots all began to coincide.
America seemed to be ata reckoning, a moment
where racial atrocities
would no longer be
acceptable, but the turmoil
would be far-reaching.
Members of the 128th Avn. Bde. help clean up the Elmerton and Bassette Cemeteries in Hampton, VA.

Virginia State Federation of Colored
Women’s Club. These heroes laid at restin these places were once prominent,and some even affluent, members of thecommunity and they now needed ourhelp to restore their final resting places.
They and many others lay in fields
overgrown and their tombstones werebeing swallowed by the forest. Theirstories lost to time, with no one left totell them. And so, on a cloudy Saturday
morning in September, volunteers of
all creeds, colors, religions, and national
origin joined together with members of
the 128th Brigade leading the way. Soldiers, with local support from teams likethe Do-Gooders of Hampton Roads,
the Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation,and the Boy Scouts brought mowers,
rakes, and all sorts of yard equipment
to tackle the overgrowth. By the early
afternoon, countless graves, once completely hidden in the brush, were visible
again. American flags which had previously been invisible beneath the grass,
now populated much of the cemetery ina poignant reminder that those buried,along with those present, all shared in
the richness of America’s history.
That physical progress at thecemetery was a testament showing that26with hard work and determination we
can overcome this moment in history towrite a better chapter for the generations
to come. Martin Luther King Jr. once
said that change is not inevitable, butthat it comes through continuous
struggle. His words have never been
more exact. It is our influence on the
micro-level that affects the world at
the macro-level. That is what Unity
Through Community ultimately is: apromotion of inclusion and tolerance
that along the way unites people witha common goal by realizing that we are
more significant than our differences.
Not merely a project but a concept;
a challenge even. We in the 128th
Brigade are finding a way to accept thatour differences are not divisive. They arewhat bond us as Americans and if we
can acknowledge our differences andaccept each other for them, together we
can accomplish things we would nothave imagined possible.
“Born Under Fire!”
SSG Israel D. Lopez is the battalion
Equal Opportunity Leader for 1st
Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment,
128th Aviation Brigade at Joint Base
Langley-Eustis, VA.
November 30, 2020

u Tech Talk

Army Aircraft and Additive Manufacturing
By Michael J. Kane, Ph.D.

T

he U.S. Army Aviation and Missile
Command (AMCOM) publisheda policy memorandum addressing
additively manufactured (AM) parts forArmy aircraft, components, and support
products.

Figure 1. Qualification Requirements

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

USACCDC AVMC GRAPHIC

This policy provides clarity for potential applications of AM
technology for use on Army aircraft while ensuring airworthiness. This is accomplished by a phased approach. Initially nonstructural/non-critical parts that do not affect airworthiness or
safety will be chosen. As AM technology matures and the industrial capabilities are established, more challenging applications will be identified for use on aircraft. However, at present
and for the next several years, AM technology is not mature
enough to be used for structurally significant applications thatare fatigue sensitive, and/or critical safety items, as detailed in
the AMCOM policy (Fig. 1).
There are at least seven families of AM technologies. There
are a number of manufacturers offering machines for eachtype of AM technology. Essentially, materials combinationsof metals, plastic and ceramics that can be additively manufactured are limitless. For each family of AM technology andmaterial choice, process parameters need to be established andoptimized. For any part of structural significance, mechanicalperformance needs to be demonstrated via testing. AM, being a generic all-encompassing term, is too vague to meet thestringent requirement for airworthiness review and approval.
Only a specific technology, process and materials can be considered for airworthiness approval. For example, a bell crank
produced using laser powder bed fusion using Titanium 6AL4V alloy powder has been fabricated and the mechanical properties were evaluated (Fig. 2).
While the results were promising, there are still issues with
non-destructive inspection and fatigue performance that need
to be resolved. While the bell crank is not a critical safety item,
it is part of an assembly that is considered a critical safety item,
should it fail in-service the results would be catastrophic. Putting an AM bell crank into service, even for limited demonstration purposes, would involve risk acceptance above baseline,
as such a flight demonstration will not be conducted for thiscomponent. It is unlikely that applications of this nature will
not involve risk acceptance above baseline with the limited
data set currently available and for the next several years.
Presently, there is an effort underway to identify problems
that can utilize the AM solution Army-wide. Once a part is

Figure 2. Mechanical Test

Figure 3. Non-Destructive Inspection

identified as a candidate for AM, is “reversed engineered” andfabricated, and is approved for use, it is considered “qualified.”
The reverse engineering is typically just taking a number ofgeometrical measurements with no design input. This type of
qualification may be adequate for a radio control knob or similar application to be installed on aircraft. However, any partthat will potentially effect airworthiness and safety will require
a much more extensive qualification, including, but not limited
to: establishing material and process specifications, statistically validated mechanical properties (typically called allowables), design review and structural substantiation with original equipment manufacturer involvement, establishing quality
control, and effective non-destructive inspections (Fig. 3).
There will be a small number of applications where a partmay be suitable for use as additively manufactured without
subsequent processing. The ability to provide a logistic benefit
and improved readiness is unlikely to be realized for mostAviation parts.
There are several efforts in which the original equipment
manufacturers have designed and developed AM into their programs over the past several years. They have been working with
the Army to establish and meet the stringent requirements for
airworthiness qualification. These efforts are not a short-term
attempt to solve a logistics problem, but rather, a long-term effort to improve performance, reduce manufacturing costs, andreduce operation maintenance/cost. It is with these types of efforts that the Army will reap the greatest benefits.
Dr. Michael Kane is the chief of the Structures & Materials
Division of the CCDC AvMC Systems Readiness Directorate at
Redstone Arsenal, AL.
27

November 30, 2020

u Ask the Flight Surgeon

Osteopath, Chiropractor andPhysical Therapist
By CPT (Dr.) Frank C. Stafford

Q:

Osteopath, Chiropractor, Physical
Therapist? What is the difference
and who should I see?

FS: In the military, we have a wide variety of medical providers
that use hands-on techniques such as stretching, gentle
pressure and resistance in order to diagnose, treat and prevent
illness and injury. These include osteopaths, chiropractors andphysical therapists.
Osteopaths are licensed physicians who hold a four-year
medical degree of Doctor of Osteopathy and bear a “DO”
after their name. This degree is earned after completing abachelor’s degree. As with their “MD” physician colleagues,
DOs have the broadest scope of practice of the medical
practitioners discussed here. Both DOs and MDs generally
have additional residency training beyond their medical
school education and are board certified in a specialty suchas family medicine, general surgery, aerospace medicine,etc. Chiropractors are designated by a “DC” for a Doctor of
Chiropractic degree that is approximately 3-4 years in length

after completing a bachelor’s degree. Physical therapists may
have earned a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) or an
MPT (Masters in Physical Therapy) degree after completingcollege. Though chiropractors and physical therapists candecide to train further in a subspecialty, it isn’t required.
Unlike DOs, DCs and DPTs are not licensed to practice in allareas of medicine, are not permitted to write for prescription
medications or perform surgical procedures and focus almost
exclusively on musculoskeletal concerns.
What is the difference between these
medical professionals?
In general, they all take a holistic approach to assisting
the body in healing itself through physical manipulationsof the muscles and joints and the soft tissues around them.
Osteopathic physicians are trained to perform manipulationof the joints as well as target therapies for the fascia (tissue
surrounding the muscles and joints). Treatments may include
gentle stretching of the fascia (similar to a massage), deeper
probing of tender points on the body, traction/stretching of
the joints and associated muscles and finally mobilization/
manipulation of joints where cavitation’s cause “pops” thatnow part ofExpandable & Upgradeable: All Options are User/Field Upgradeable!
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November 30, 2020

can be heard with the treatment.
Typically, chiropractors focus on using spinal joint
manipulation to improve spinal nerve function to the body.
Manipulations typically include small, high velocity, lowamplitude (HVLA) thrusts into the joints. The thrust is nottraumatic or aggressive and is typically tolerated well. Thisis usually called “adjusting.” Some chiropractors will involve
soft tissue work as described above as well as include core
exercises, muscular exercises and other activities similar towhat a physical therapist would use.
Physical therapists typically focus on muscular rehabilitation,
reducing pain, preventing disability and promoting the ability
to move. They work to increase strength, endurance andbalance between muscle groups. This may involve treatments
such as electrical stimulation, ice therapy and dry needling.
Some physical therapists may perform mobilization, where
they stretch the joints, as well as manipulation where theythrust into the joint. Due to differences in training and scopeof practice, as well as practitioner preference, you may havedifferent experiences depending on the type of provider seen.

WE ARE YULISTA

Who should I see?
Musculoskeletal injuries may require medication,
stretching, suturing or even surgical intervention. Osteopaths
can provide all these services while both chiropractors andphysical therapists are limited to non-invasive techniques.
However, it is not uncommon that some conditions will
require a team effort. Studies on low back pain as well asother pain syndromes have consistently demonstrated asynergy between manipulation or adjusting and physicaltherapy. Manipulation/adjustment helps the immediate area
to regain its regular motion with some studies demonstratinga reduction in muscular tension of the affected area. Physicaltherapy complements the previous techniques by providing
muscular training that improves strength, endurance andbalance between affected areas and the rest of the body tosupport and maintain the motion that was returned. These
combined interventions decrease the frequency and intensityof pain episodes, minimize down time, and help patients
return to their usual activities sooner.

Proudly Supporting Army
Aviation by Providing Aerospaceand Defense Solutions to Our
Soldiers Worldwide
Engineering
Prototyping
Manufacturing
System Integration
MaintenanceTraining

How does my flight surgeon participate inthis type of care?
Musculoskeletal injuries and pain syndromes are distracting
and can limit aviator functionality in flight. To address theseconcerns and help mitigate aeromedical risk, your aeromedical
provider can coordinate referrals to an osteopath or chiropractor,
if they do not already perform OMT themselves, and tophysical therapy. You will be monitored by your aeromedical
provider to assess the progress of your treatment and yourability to participate in flight duties.
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 are those of the author
and researchers and should not be construed as an official
Department of the Army position unless otherwise stated.

YULISTA.COM

CPT Frank C. Stafford, DO, DC, MPH is a flight surgeon at theUnited States Army School of Aviation Medicine.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

29

November 30, 2020

Special Focus u Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Unmanned
Aircraft
Systems(UAS) –

GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL PHOTO

Evolving the portfolio
to adapt to the
future operational
environment
By COL J. Scott Anderson

General Atomics Gray Eagle-Extended Range Unmanned Aircraft SystemFor more than twenty years, US
Army UAS delivered tremendous
capability for our Warfighters.
UAS fundamentally changed the way
Commanders see the battlefield. Increased situational awareness, improved
intelligence preparation, extended communication, enhanced target acquisition and prosecution while doing it efficiently and by comparison far cheaper
than manned platforms. UAS proved a
key platform in the fight against thoseenemies who did not have borders, fieldarmies or fight in traditional formations.
The systems are less complicated to use,
flew and maintained by Soldiers, andconsistently exceeded operational availability and reliability standards.
Army UAS remain in high demandand execute missions at a tremendous
operational tempo. Our UAS reachedremarkable milestones, having flown
over two million hours with the vast
majority supporting combat operations. TRADOC developed doctrine
for manned-unmanned teaming, increasing lethality and optimizing theattributes of both manned and unmanned platforms. We do not see thisdemand changing and envision anever-increasing thirst for unmannedsystems and optionally manned aircraftin future multi-domain operations.
However, it is important to realize
we are at crossroads in the life of Army
UAS programs. Past successes, based
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

largely on operations in a Counter
Insurgency (COIN) environment,
are not how we advance the portfolio.
The Army is shifting from a COIN
focus to a peer or near-peer adversary,and large scale combat operations are
seeming more likely. Army leadersremind us we are in a period of great
power competition. Multi-domain
operations (MDO) (air, land, sea, cyberand space) can happen over a timelinethat include peacetime operations
and appear benign. Our systems (andrelated technologies) must continue to
evolve based on required operational
capabilities and emerging technologies.
Now is the time to invest in the technology to improve UAS. There are six
cross cutting enablers; 1) autonomy, 2)
distributed control, 3) payloads 4) Assured-Position, Navigation and Timing(APNT), 5) open architecture and 6)
networks that are essential to increasing UAS survivability and lethality in
MDO. By leveraging the Science andTechnology communities, academia,
and collaborating early and often with
Industry, we can rapidly procure newtechnologies and modernize enduring
platforms that will continue to allow us
to fight tonight as we support our Soldiers in global operations.
Working alongside key stakeholders
within the Aviation Enterprise, weare continuing the critical work ofenhancing mission capabilities in five30

Army UAS capability areas: 1) Gray
Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER); 2)
Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) 3) Air
Launched Effects (ALE); 4) Small
UAS (SUAS); and 5) Scalable Control
Interface (SCI).
Gray Eagle Extended Range – The
Endurance UAS team continues fielding and training activities associatedwith the improved GE-ER. This platform provides dramatically increased
capabilities, expanding operational reachand payload capacity, while enabling aplatform for future upgrades including:
APNT, Avionics Re-architecture, Data
Link modernization, Engine System
Reliability, Link 16 integration, Alternate Munitions/Payloads, and ALE/
SCI integration. Designing, developing
and delivering an MDO ready GE-ER
must be a central effort in upgrading the
Army’s UAS portfolio.
FTUAS – The Tactical UAS Product
Office continues to make important
progress working with Army Futures
Command on FTUAS program efforts. They are working closely withand observing four vendors who areparticipating in demonstrations withfive Army Brigade Combat Teams.
As these demonstrations proceed, theteam is receiving feedback from Soldiers at key touch points informing
the development of the requirement
and shaping the Acquisition Strategy.
One of the goals for the FTUAS is toNovember 30, 2020

take a modular open systems approachby establishing a common architecture
and interface control documents. Our
intent is to continue dialogue with industry regarding the latest information
on strategies and required critical capabilities. FTUAS will provide an expeditionary and mobile system that canfight unencumbered from airfields orextensive Ground Support Equipment.
Small UAS – The Soldier UAS Product Office is focusing on the executionof the Army’s echelon approach to small(Groups 1&2) UAS. This strategy develops capabilities aligned to units atthe battalion level and below. The small
Family of Systems provides essential
situational awareness for the Army’s maneuver formations. Our efforts throughout the last year primarily focused ondelivering Short Range Reconnaissance(SRR) UAS. We are anticipating SRR
production and fielding beginning in
FY21. Other platforms in the family ofsystems are the Medium Range Reconnaissance and the Long Range Reconnaissance UAS. While developing theseplatforms, the SUAS team is working
parallel efforts on the Handheld Ground
Control Station (H-GCS), awarding
production contracts for H-GCS kitsfrom two vendors this year. The H-GCS
effort is an important component of the
SUAS family of systems, providing common hardware and software tools acrossall small UAS platforms.
ALE – The Command, Control andEffects (C2E) Product Office madegreat strides pursuing the rapid fielding of ALE and SCI capabilities. This
year the team is executing technicalassessments and maturation of ALE
prototype air vehicles, mission systems,
and payloads/sensors through the useof Other Transaction Agreements withmultiple vendors. The acquisition strategy will leverage Commercial Off The
Shelf(COTS)/Non-Developmental(NDI) platforms in the pursuit of therapid fielding of initial ALE capabilities(FY24), while our future ALE family
of systems will follow an open systems
approach, enabling the implementationof interchangeable components and facilitating the integration of future sensor
capabilities.
SCI has the potential to change theway we field, employ and fight UAS
in the future. SCI enhances interoperability and operations in the MDO
environment. For this reason, SCI remains a critical pillar of UAS capability

development . SCI can deliver a common interface for UAS command andcontrol and will simplify UAS payload
control to include management of complex multi-aircraft operations by a single
operator. The concept of one to many iswithin reach. SCI is complex, touching
many Program Offices and interfacingwith several ground and air platforms.
PM UAS will continue focusing on
developmental efforts, working in close
coordination with the SCI Software
Integration prime contractor, our stakeholders and other industry partners.
We are at a crossroads in Army UAS,
an essential weapon systems portfoliothat is battle proven and Soldier ready.
Investing in critical technology enablers
will make the portfolio MDO readyand extend the Army’s investment incrucial enduring platforms for years tocome. Our enduring systems require
targeted modernization, and our
future programs require investment in
key technologies to meet the Army’s
capability requirements.
COL Scott Anderson is the project
manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
assigned to the Program Executive Office
Aviation at Redstone Arsenal, AL.

GRAPHITE COMPOSITE FUEL PROBESGAUGINGTHE FUTURE

Supporting the military with primary andauxiliary aircraft fuel gauging systems.
Specializing in retrofit, upgrades andservice life extension programs.
FUEL PROBES / CONDITIONERS / FUEL INDICATORSNO FIELD CALIBRATION REQUIREDSUPPORTS CRASH RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMSARMY AVIATION Magazine

31

November 30, 2020

Special Focus u Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Army Special Operations Aviation UAS
Integration In Multi-Domain Operations
By MAJ Joshua Bell and MAJ Kristin Yampaglia

In preparation for the future fight,
Army Special Operations Aviation(ARSOA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) continues to exploit the
MQ-1C Extended Range Gray Eagle
capabilities and limitations throughchallenging, realistic training eventsand supporting U.S. Army Futures
Command initiatives. Earlier this year,
MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range(ER) crews from the 160th Special
Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) participated in two keystone
exercises that highlighted the versatility and adaptability of ARSOA UAS.
The first event was in China Lake, CA
known as the Special Operations
Aviation-Advanced Tactics Training (SOA-ATT). SOA-ATT is a multi-

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

week exercise created to train and validate combined ARSOA rotary wing
and UAS tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for integration into
multi-domain operations (MDO) while
operating in a contested environment.
Following SOA-ATT, ARSOA UAS
crews participated in Project Convergence at Yuma Proving Ground, AZ.
Spearheaded by the U.S. Army Futures
Command, Project Convergence is agroundbreaking network integration
exercise, unprecedented in scale andjoint interoperability, with the goal of
expediting the kill chain.

SOA-ATT

To be competitive in multi-domain
operations against a near peer adver32

sary, the ARSOA UAS team had toshift their counter violent extremist
organizations (C-VEO) training focus to large-scale combat operations.
SOA-ATT provided ARSOA UAS
with an excellent MDO training opportunity. At China Lake, the SOA-ATT
Task Force consisted of special operations ground and intelligence personnel, rotary and unmanned aircraft fromthe 160th Special Operations Aviation
Regiment and Air Force Special Operations Command tilt-rotor aircraft.
The diverse and highly capable teamconducted detailed mission planning,rehearsals, and execution of highly complex missions in a contested aerial environment. ARSOA UAS aircraft playeda unique multi-operational role in thisNovember 30, 2020

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

An MQ-1ER taxiing at a forward staging base in
Arizona.

environment by providing both ISR
and fire support. For instance, in one of
the scenarios, ARSOA UAS penetrated
and neutralized a complex integrated air
defense system (IADS) network whileproviding other air and ground enablers
maneuverability to accomplish the mission. In another vignette, ARSOA UAS
executed operations in an electronic
warfare (EW)/anti-access area denial(A2AD) environment. Specifically, ARSOA aircrews had to navigate a complex
EW/A2AD using unconventional UAS
TTPs to avoid detection and provide
signals intelligence (SIGINT) alongwith a fires platform for joint enablers
to accomplish their mission undetected
in a denied environment against a nearpeer threat.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

The UAS team conducted both
single and multi-ship operations ina variety of environments to include
aircraft low-level operations down to500’ AGL in a tactical flight profile.
Utilizing one low level MQ and an
MQ employing terrain masking in ahunter–killer team, the UAS multiship flight successfully defeated enemy
air-defense weapon systems. Serving
as an integral part of the pre-mission
planning and briefings throughout
the exercise, UAS crews focused ondenied area intelligence preparation of
the battlefield, spectrum management
control, route analysis, environmental
factor analysis, performance planning,
individual threat analysis, and risk
management. With broad and diverse
tactical expertise, the ARSOA UAS
team served as invaluable members of
the greater SOA-ATT exercise.
Leading by example at the forefrontof UAS operations during SOA-ATT,ARSOA UAS crews demonstrated
their flexibility and tenacity in solving
complex mission problems and mitigating risk while operating within thenational airspace. Prior to participatingin the exercise, ARSOA MQ-1C ER
operators received academic instruction and conducted extensive mission
planning in areas such as aviation mission survivability, offensive and defensive maneuvers, denied area planning,and passive defeat tactics. In order tocapitalize on lessons-learned, UAS operators studied the after-action reports
from previous exercises. Additionally,
ARSOA UAS personnel navigatedcoordination challenges in order to
conduct flight operations from an uncontrolled civilian airfield. Through theexperience, ARSOA UAS developed
critical pre-mission planning standards
that required meticulously detailed coordination and integration with civilian
rotary and fixed wing traffic operating
within the area. With six months ofadvanced planning and coordination
through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local authorities,
ARSOA UAS made SOA-ATT UAS
operations seamless with zero negative
impacts to the local community.

Project Convergence

Following SOA-ATT, ARSOA UAS
operators participated in Project Convergence due to the airframe's distinctive ability to provide autonomy in the
air domain and sustain over-the-horizon network infrastructure. Once again,
33

serving in a unique role providing critical capability within the multi-domain
operational concept, ARSOA UAS
conducted ISR, precision fires, and supported over-the-horizon network architecture simultaneously. Project Convergence validated the MQ-1C ER’s ability
to support a “sensor-to-shooter” network that communicates data between
multiple systems, making the surfaceto-surface and air-to-ground kill chains
more efficient and lethal.
At Yuma Proving Ground, ARSOAUAS crews supported the Army Futures Command Vertical Lift CrossFunctional Team and operated highly
modified MQ-1C ER Gray Eagles
to support the Architecture, Automation, Autonomy, and Interfaces (A3I)
pioneered capability. The aircraft carried a variety of payloads designed tosupport network infrastructure, EW
systems, and automation within the killchain. The Gray Eagle played an integral role in supporting a variety of AirLaunched Effects (ALE) and facilitated the integration of space, cyber, air,and ground assets in support of joint
missions. By providing unwavering
support to Project Convergence andA3I, ARSOA UAS crews reaped valuable lessons-learned about the capabilities and limitations of the airframe,
which will allow further network andeffects integration in the future.
Both SOA-ATT and Project
Convergence provided an excellent
opportunity for ARSOA MQ-1C
Gray Eagle ER aircraft and crews
to validate TTPs while integratingwith the joint force to conduct multidomain operations in a contested
environment. SOA-ATT and Project
Convergence highlighted the relevanceof ARSOA UAS assets in meetingthe demands of today’s warfighterand tomorrow’s emerging technology
requirements. ARSOA UAS operators
will continue to explore tirelessly thelimitations and capabilities of the MQ1ER Gray Eagle while working withindustry innovators and stakeholders to
employ the airframe in unconventional
methods in preparation for theinevitable challenges of defeating a peer
adversary in a contested environment.

MAJ Joshua Bell is the commander of E
Co. and MAJ Kristin Yampaglia is thecommander of F Co., 2nd Bn., 160th
SOAR (A) stationed at Fort Campbell, KY.
November 30, 2020

1-58th Soldiers based in Somalia standing next to the MOTS
in March 2020. (l to r) SPC Penny Morgan, SFC Cameron
Campbell, SSG Rebecca Baca, SPC Susann Orozco, SSG TommyThinnes, SGT Nicholas Wood, SFC Douglas Miller, SPC Jose
Suarez, SSG Anthony Deluca, CPT Nathan Strohschein, SPC
Annabelle Rich, CW2 Robert Pezzi, SSG Brooklyn Phillips, and
SSG Ricky Gibbs.

Army Air Traffic Controllers Support
Operations in East Africa By LTC Keith A. HaskinOctober 2019 marked the beginning of a nowenduring capability as the Army assumed
responsibilities of airfield management and
air traffic control support to multiple airfields within
the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa(CJTF-HOA) area of operations. The deploymentof 1st Battalion, 58th Aviation Regiment (Airfield
Operations Battalion (AOB)) into this area of
operations initiated a cycle of Active Duty andNational Guard forces to support the strategic goalsof AFRICOM in East Africa: to enhance partner
nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade
conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

34

Pre-Deployment Activities

1-58th Avn. Regt. (AOB) was officially notified
about the deployment in early 2019, directly on theheels of providing mobile tower support to Tyndall
AFB as the base recovered from Hurricane Michael
damage. The initial tasking from the Joint Staff wasto provide landing zone safety officers (LZSO) tofour airfields throughout Somalia and Kenya. Upon
conducting mission analysis and conferring with the
Air Force elements conducting the mission, the decision was made to deploy three of the unit’s four
tactical air traffic services systems: the Mobile Tower
System (MOTS); Tactical Terminal Control System
November 30, 2020

U.S. ARMY TRAFFIC SERVICES COMMAND PHOTO

Special Focus u Air Traffic Services

(TTCS); and the Air Traffic Navigation, Integration, andCoordination System (ATNAVICS) in order to effectively
enhance the safety of the aircraft at those airfields.
The Air Force requires an LZSO at any airfield supporting
US Air Force aircraft without a control tower. The LZSO’s
primary responsibility is to provide advisory services to aircraft while ensuring the landing surface is safe for the typeand number of aircraft inbound. As this is an Air Forcespecific requirement and Army controllers are not typicallytrained on these tasks, 1-58th AOB was required to send
controllers to conduct landing zone safety officer certification training at Fort AP Hill in Virginia. The battalion thenrelied on these school-trained LZSOs to train the remainderof the controllers during the unit’s mission readiness exercise(MRX) in July 2019. By the end of August 2019, the unit’s
controllers were fully prepared to assume the LZSO duties
while concurrently preparing for the arrival and installationof the unit’s primary systems.
Through continued mission analysis, and as the unit prepared for the LZSO mission, it was clear that airfield management was going to be a key task for battalion. In orderto ensure the battalion’s Soldiers were thoroughly trained on
airfield management tasks, the majority of the unit completed the contingency airfield management (CAM) course. This
course, conducted by the Army’s Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM), provides the basics that a Soldier would
need to manage airfield operations primarily in an LSCO environment.

SGT Darius Robinson (left) and PFC Samuel Hodges use the TTCS to control
a B-52 Stratofortress over Kenya in February 2020.

movements per day. These systems, along with highly-trained
air traffic controllers, enabled safe aircraft operations and resulted in zero accidents or incidents. In order to build relationships with the local controllers and aid in the overall
safety of two locations, 1-58th AOB controllers worked with
their local Somali and Kenyan counterparts to train them onproper phraseology and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) controlling standards.
As future airfield operations battalions prepare to deploy
to both the East Africa theaters, as well as all worldwide locations, there are several areas of potential consideration. First,
due to constraints on the number of personnel in theater,
every leader needs to be a subject matter expert. Deliberate
training and fundamental airfield management skills should
be addressed prior to deployment for all senior leaders. This,
combined with clear and concise commander’s intent, will allow any leader within the organization to competently represent the unit. Additionally, training that spans all aspectsof Air Force airfield management is vital as the majority of
the air traffic customers in that area of operations belong to
the Air Force. The Air Force Advanced Airfield Management
Course would be invaluable for all flight operations (15P)
personnel and for the senior leadership.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned from Operations inEast Africa

The battalion’s primary mission while deployed was to provide 24/7 air traffic services in support of aircraft operating
under visual and instrument flight rules (VFR/IFR) in austere environments at forward operating bases in East Africa
to ensure safe continuous operations. As the battalion incorporated the ATS systems into airfield operations and transitioned away from LZSO duties at two of the four locations,
it became clear that these ATS systems were vital to ensuring
safe aircraft operations. The ATNAVICS provided the only
airfield radar capability in the entire country of Somalia andthe MOTS and TTCS controlled upwards of 60-70 aircraft

What’s Next?

The demand for tactical air traffic controllers will always
exist wherever aircraft are flying in support of combat operations. In theaters like East Africa, where air support is essential to all operations, safe and orderly control of the airspaceis paramount. East Africa will continue to provide an excellent opportunity for Army Air Traffic Controllers to support
combat operations and perfect their craft in an austere andchallenging environment.
LTC Keith A. Haskin is the commander of 1-58th Airfield
Operations Battalion headquartered at Fort Rucker, AL.

1-58th airport surveillance and precision approach radar system operating in
Somalia in March 2020.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

35

November 30, 2020

F Company, 2-501st Gen. Spt. Avn. Bn., Cbt. Avn. Bde., 1stArmored Div.’s Tactical Terminal Control System in action at the
National Training Center.

PM Assured Access Airspace Systems
Reorganization
By LTC Adam Moodie, CPT Scott Betancourt and SFC Eric Drabenstot

As of this time last year, PM A3S
had just had a name change from
PM Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Since then, the office has absorbed additional responsibilities in order to provide updated capabilities so that Army
Aviation can fight and win on the multidomain battlefield (MDB) of the future.
In addition to the ATC Fixed Base andTactical teams that composed PM ATC,PM A3S welcomes the addition of a
Navigation and a Surveillance team. The
Surveillance team is focused on upgrading APX-123 transponders to the APX123(A), as well as evaluating next generation transponders. The Navigation teamis focused on upgrading the Navigation
capability of the Army Aviation fleet toenable resiliency on the MDB.

Navigation Systems

PM A3S initiated multiple efforts toimplement aspects of Assured-Position,
Navigation, and Timing (A-PNT). This
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

includes development of a Military
Code (M-Code) capable GPS receiverintegration upgrade for the Enhanced
Aviation Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) Localizer performancewith vertical guidance (LPV) Embedded
GPS Inertial Navigation System (EGI)(EAGLE) with M-Code (EAGLE-M),
allowing Army Aviation to meet the
Public Law M-Code mandate. The second part of this strategy includes thedevelopment and qualification of theMulti-platform Anti-jam GPS Navigation Antenna (MAGNA). These APNT upgrade programs will continue insubsequent years culminating with thefielding of these new capabilities acrossthe enduring and future Aviation fleets.
These technologies will enable continued Aviation operations in GPS denied
and degraded environments across theMulti-Domain Battlefield (MDB).
The Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation system (EGI) is a tri-service program
36

that provides a combined GPS and inertial navigation capability for aircraft
equipped with an MIL-STD-1553
digital data bus. The EGI also provides
precise location, velocity, and attitude to
the aircraft fire control computer or integrated system processor for processing
targeting information and sensor prepointing. Current EGI is Instrument
Flight Rules (IFR) compliant and certified for use of the GPS as a supplementary means of navigation for enroute,terminal, and non-precision approach
when properly integrated. EAGLE is
the upgrade to current EGI navigatorsand can operate in a Backwards Compatibility Mode until EAGLE-M isavailable. PM A3S completed efforts toobtain certification for use of GPS as a
primary means of navigation, ADS-B
Out, and LPV approaches using Precision Positioning Service (PPS) or Standard Positioning Service (SPS) with
Wide Area Augmentation System for
November 30, 2020

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CW2 LAUREN SERRA

Special Focus u Air Traffic Services

the EAGLE. This year saw completionof the full EAGLE integration and continuation of fielding on Special Operations Aviation (SOA) platforms. Phase
I of EAGLE-M development and platform integration is ongoing. The first
Production Representative Assets will
be delivered to the Army in early 2021,
while initial flight testing is scheduled
to begin in late 2021. EAGLE-M is essential for the Army’s A-PNT capabilities in both CONUS/OCONUS Civil
Airspace, and critical for the warfighter
to be successful while operating in contested airspace on the MDB.
The MAGNA Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase III effort isa small adaptive GPS anti-jam antenna
system comprised of a Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) andantenna electronics. MAGNA will be capable of receiving legacy and modernized(M-code) NAVSTAR GPS satellite signals. The MAGNA reduces the effect of
GPS jamming, enabling the Warfighter
continued access to GPS-provided position, navigation, and timing in a GPS
degraded environment. This year saw theconclusion of the MAGNA development and qualification program, awardof the SBIR III Production Contract, as
well as the initial Production Contract
Award, servicing multiple stakeholders
to include the Navy.
The AN/ASN-128D Doppler GPS
Navigation Set,provides a combined GPS
and Doppler navigation capability for theremaining UH-60L Black Hawk fleet.
The AN/ASN-128D is IFR compliant
and certified for use as a supplementarymeans of navigation for enroute, terminal,and non-precision approaches using theDigital Aeronautical Flight Information
File (DAFIF) non-corruptible database.
PM A3S is obtaining certification to
use the AN/ASN-128D as a primarymeans of navigation and an Automatic
Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out(ADS-B Out) position source. PM A3S
is also testing and preparing to field a
new Computer Display Unit (CDU)
with ruggedized graphical touch screen
and moving map display. These additions
will enable the UH-60L Black Hawk
fleet with their first A-PNT capability,
allowing them to operate more effectively
on the Multi-Domain Battlefield.

Tactical Systems Transition to
Sustainment

Tactical Terminal Control System(TTCS) and Mobile Tower Systems(MOTS) will transition from PM A3S
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

to Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) for sustainment. Additionally, Air Traffic Navigation, Integration and Coordination System(ATNAVICS) will transition CECOM
by the end of 2021 upon completion offielding. The Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) will remain undera performance-based logistics contract through FY 21, at which time thehardware will transition to CECOM
for sustainment. TAIS software is now
managed by PM Aerial Communications and Mission Command (ACMC).

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tion. The Precision Approach Radar
RAPID PATIENT PACKAGING
2020 (PAR2020) will replace the Fixed
Base PAR (FB PAR) at two locations,
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SKEDCOPJSKEDThe PAR2020 resolves performance and(SK-215C)“LIGHTER
obsolescence issues and improves cyberFAS T E R
security. Installation of the first system
EASIER TO CARRY”
at Cairns AAF was completed early
1QFY21. Follow on systems will be installed at Illesheim, Germany at a date
to be determined.
Site surveys for upgrades to the Instrument Landing System (ILS) arealso underway. The ILS replacement
program provides the Army with an
all-weather, ground based precision approach capability and replaces the curUNIVERSAL LITTER
rent MK-20A. Fielding is planned to
TIE-DOWN STRAPS™
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all upgrades have been completed, there
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address System Control and Data Interface (SCDI) and wind turbine effects
on the radar. Finally, PM A3S continues to field the NextGen Voice Switch,also known as Interim Voice Switch
Replacement (IVSR). The IVSR provides interface and switching of all ATC
communications and will be the common platform and baseline voice switch
for the National Airspace System. The
IVSR replaces the Small Tower VoiceThe only Litter Tie-Down Strap
Switch (STVS) and Enhanced Tower
with Airworthiness Release
Voice Switches (ETVS). Fielding isscheduled to complete in FY21.
(AWR 1330), 3000lb MBS.
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LTC Adam Moodie is the product manager, CPT Scott Betancourt, the assistantproduct manager for Navigation, and SFC
Eric Drabenstot, the ATSCOM Liaison
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37

November 30, 2020

Special Focus u Air Traffic Services

Army Airfields –Keeping Aviation Operations Safe
By COL Dan Morris, Mr. Sean Boger, and LTC Curt Byronof what right looks like. During routinely scheduled training (i.e. pilot call,etc.), take a break from the classroom
and visit base operations to get the airfield tour – walk the terrain, identify andlearn the myriad of lighting, marking,obstacles and clearances, vegetation, andsafety details. This benefits everyone sothat during pre-flight, ground taxi, andflight operations, you as a crewmember
can support the airfield management
program.

Cairns Army Airfield (OZR),
Fort Rucker, ALAviators utilize Army airfields to fly
countless hours to ensure aviation
units and their supported organizations remain at a steady state of readiness to support home station training anddeployment operations. Operations include Army crewmember and non-rated
crewmember training, in and around theairfield environment, as well as the occasional USAF C-17 or C-130 flight. By
and large, each airfield is different; however, design standardization remains thesame to support safe aircraft operations.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Who is responsible for ensuring
airfields operate safely andeffectively?

Similar to any other installation training capability, an airfield provides a critical link to both the garrison and a unit’s
training and readiness. Airfield Managers, along with their team, are primarily
responsible for providing safe environments for aviation operations. However, the users (aircrews) have a prudent
responsibility to take part in this effort
through communication and knowledge
38

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

Inspections – Regulatory
Requirements and QAEs

A common misperception is that
Army airfields are safe to operate because the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspects them; however,the FAA does not have the authority toregulate airports operated by U. S. government agencies, including Department of Defense (DoD) airfields, beyond joint-use airfields where both parties are responsible to ensure operationaland safety standards. Thus, the Army’s
program for ensuring compliance withapplicable directives and safe airfield
operations is the Quality Assurance
Evaluation (QAE) program. In accordance with Army Regulation 95-2 (AirTraffic Control, Airfield/Heliport, andAirspace Operations), airfield owningcommands are responsible for establishing a QAE program to maintain safe,
efficient, and effective airfields and ensure enforcement of standards and compliance with DoD, Department of theArmy, FAA, and other requirements.
As a framework for inspections, there
is always criteria to establish the standard. During QAEs, Army regulations
and training circulars provide standards
for measuring airfield management andoperations compliance. Additionally, airfield infrastructure is evaluated against
Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) foundin the 3-260-01 (Airfield Planning and
Design), 3-535-01 (Visual Air Navigation Facilities), and 3-260-04 (Airfieldand Heliport Marking). The UFCs
provide DoD-wide standards based on
accident data, industry standards, andlessons learned that provide safety parameters to support airfield and aircraft
November 30, 2020

UNIFIED FACILITIES CRITERIA EXTRACT

operations. UFCs account for personnel
and equipment protection, both on the
ground and in the air.
Similar to the FORSCOM Aviation
Resource Management Survey (ARMS)
or the Directorate of Evaluations andStandardization (DES) inspections, the
QAE program helps to form the holistic triad of inspections, evaluations,and standardization in order to support
overall safety and high levels of readiness throughout the aviation enterprise.
Supporting both garrison and tenantaviation units’ operations, the QAE program assesses the management, safety,
effectiveness, and operations of airfields
while identifying internal and systemic
issues for resolution.
As with any inspection team, QAE
teams are comprised of subject matter
experts (SME). These SMEs include
personnel from the respective airfield’scommand but are frequently augmented
by representatives from all three components (Active, Guard, and Reserve).
They are primarily seasoned Departmentof the Army Civilians and are selected
for their years of experience, judgment,
and demonstrated knowledge of theirrespective subject area. No single command has the in-house expertise or cal-Example of Concrete Foundation Placement (must be flush with the ground). UFC 3-535-01 (Para 12-1.2)

endar free space to conduct every QAE;
therefore, augmentation is required.
IAW AR 95-2, QAEs are conducted every 24 to 36 months, but may besurveyed more frequently based on
the location, mission, or as directedby Headquarters, Department of the
Army (HQDA), respective component,or command. To ensure an airfield isin compliance, evaluators use a QAEchecklist built upon established safety
standards and criteria from regulations
and guidelines and again, years of les-sons learned from both the DoD andcivilian aviation best practices, engineering design, and accident investigations.

What if you cannot fix a violation or
QAE finding?

Given the 24 to 36 month frequency
of inspections, findings other than satisfactory can be rectified through processes, procedures, work orders, funding
requests, or waivers. Many of the Army’s
airfields were constructed decades ago
using design criteria for runway and taxi-

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

39

November 30, 2020

reasonably corrected and either pose little to no threat to flight operations andpersonnel or risks have been mitigated at
the appropriate level. Permanent waivers
are issued where no further mitigation
actions are intended or necessary. Many
airfields have permanent waivers because of geographical challenges such as
natural or man-made obstructions.
Temporary waivers are established
for a specified duration to provide commands an opportunity to fully comply
with criteria or to obtain a permanent
waiver. Temporary waivers must include
the plan to correct the violation, risk
assessment, project/work order number, and estimated completion date tobring the item into compliance. Routine follow-up inspections are required
to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented risk mitigation actions, control
measures, and identification of new risks
for each temporary waiver granted.

Conclusion

Example of Runway Marking Elements Based on Highest Intended Use UFC 3-260-04 (para 5-2.1)

way length and width, building construction, and the overall terminal area environment to support basic (i.e., historic)
aircraft platforms. Today, aircraft are
more modernized, buildings have aged,
and vegetation has grown. Thus, withwell-trained airfield personnel, aircrew
member involvement, and QAE teammentorship, we can work through violations and mitigation measures, keeping
in mind that safety is always paramount.
Airfields unable to meet requirements
listed in the applicable UFC must submit a waiver to HQDA, Deputy Chiefof Staff, G-3/5/7 (U.S. Army Aeronautical Services Agency [USAASA]) for
approval. IAW AR 95-2, USAASA is
the approval authority for such waivers
and makes the final and consolidated
position based on complemented assessments from the Air Traffic Services
Command, Army Combat Readiness/
Safety Center, and the Corps of EngiARMY AVIATION Magazine

neers Transportation Systems Center.
Before a command submits a waiver,they must fully review all UFC compliance standards. If criteria cannot be met,
the waiver is only processed when theviolation has been fully adjudicated toensure it poses little or no risk to aviation safety and there are no other alternatives. Additionally, when proposed
objects or facilities will penetrate airfieldimaginary surfaces or safety clearances,
analysis must be conducted to determine
potential impact and risks to aircraft operations, personnel, and infrastructure.

What does a waiver provide?

Regardless of the waiver’s approval
status, there is absolutely no substitutefor continually assessing the risk associated with the respective violation. There
are two types of waivers, permanent andtemporary. Permanent waivers are established for violations that cannot be
40

Airfields, airfield owning commands, and USAASA work hand inhand to ensure fullest communication
on changes to airfield criteria, emerging
mission requirements, and ultimately
brief QAE trends and analysis during
the Quarterly Aviation Synchronization
Meeting’s Airfields Council of Colonels. Ensuring airfields operate safely
is a joint effort across all organizationsin the aviation enterprise. Again, communication is vital; knowledge of UFC
criteria and airfield management expertise is essential; and follow-up actions
to ensure compliance is imperative. Asa member of the airfield community, we
all contribute specific expertise to support safe airfield and flight operations.
Take the time to reach out to your Airfield Manager to learn more about theday-to-day requirements to keep our
airfields operating smoothly. As an aircrew member, you provide an additional
operational perspective from a bird’s eyeview from the cockpit that is critical toairfield safety.
Questions and comments should bedirected to your respective airfield owning command but can also be sent tousarmy.belvoir.tradoc.list.usaasaaf@mail.
mil for additional support. Everyone is
responsible for safety and continuing to
make airfields great!
COL Dan Morris is the USAASA Commander, Mr. Sean Boger is an aeronauticalpolicy specialist, and LTC Curt Byron is theAirfields Branch Chief at Fort Belvoir, VA.
November 30, 2020

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November 30, 2020

ARTEMIS, the Army’s first AISR jet is capable of worldwide deployment within 48
hours. ARTEMIS will provide operational intelligence data into national databases foruse by combatant commanders, fulfilling critical intelligence requirement gaps.

The Fixed Wing Project Office and Army Fixed Wing Aviation –Revolutionary Teaming Between the U.S. Armyand Industry Creates a High-Altitude Deep
Sensing Capability
By COL James DeBoer and Ms. Tracey Ayres

As the operational domain moves
from counter-terrorism toemerging near-peer conflicts,
the technology used to support thebattlespace must be tailored to this newenvironment. Because our near-peers
now have technology comparable toours, one need for this new environment is the ability to use aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissancesensors from a greater stand-off distance, with more precision and provide
real-time threat awareness and targeting across the battlespace.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Near-peer Technology

In September 2019, the Army Aerial
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AISR) strategy emphasized
the need for the rapid development ofmodernized sensor and enhanced platform capabilities necessary to provide
commanders with globally responsive
and highly capable aerial sensing solutions. The strategy required a pressurized aircraft that could fly day andnight, in near all-weather conditions
with the capability of operating at
or above 40,000 feet. Other require42

ments for the Multi-Domain Sensing
System/Multi-Domain Operations(MDSS/ MDO) were sufficient capacity to operate all of the sensor suites
simultaneously, 10 hours of unfueled
flight endurance and be self-sustainable should there be limited groundsupport at airfields.
By teaming with industry, U.S. Armyaviation has added to its arsenal thehigh-altitude deep sensing capability:
Airborne Reconnaissance Targeting
Exploitation Mission-Intelligence System or ARTEMIS.
November 30, 2020

U.S. ARMY FWPO PHOTO

Special Focus u Fixed WingAISR Constraints

The Army’s fleet of manned fixed
wing intelligence, reconnaissance andsurveillance aircraft have been twin
engine, propeller-driven aircraft andmost recently, these aircraft have filled
AISR gaps in support of Central
Command (CENTCOM) operations.
The aircraft perform exceedingly well
but they do have multiple criticalconstraints: lack of range, altitude,endurance and payload capacity. The
lack of range and endurance means theseaircraft require frequent fuel stops andwill typically take several days to arrive
in a theater of operations. Additionally,
most require a robust set of groundsupport equipment and maintenancetechnicians to sufficiently maintain theplatform and/or to connect into themilitary communications architecture.
It is not uncommon to take upwardsof 45-60 days to fully stand up a new
deployment site for one of the current
platforms in the Army’s inventory.
These time constraints severely limit
the Army’s ability to provide globally
responsive AISR coverage to emerging
requirements or joint missions andforce our Soldiers to rely on otherservices’ intelligence assets.
The shift to MDO requires the
Army’s AISR program to have a
deep sensing capability. Deep sensing
requires two things: the ability to fly
higher and utilize more capable sensors.
The ARTEMIS platform provides thecapability to fly higher (40,000 feet),
and will provide technical reportson the installed government-offthe-shelf (GOTS) and commercialoff-the-shelf (COTS) sensors thatwill inform future Army decisions
on sensor investments. In addition
to the technical reports, ARTEMIS
will provide operational intelligencedata into national databases for use
by combatant commanders, fulfilling
critical intelligence requirement gaps.

Revolutionary Teaming

The ARTEMIS effort is one ofrevolutionary teaming between the
Army and industry. The teaming
approach serves as a risk-reduction
effort for future Army investments
by providing a low-cost alternative
to what have largely been expensive
developmental efforts for the DoD’s
acquisition community. ARTEMIS
is a Contractor Owned, Contractor
Operated (COCO) asset, however,Soldiers have already flown several
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

missions and are also processing andevaluating the sensor data at theIntelligence and Security Command(INSCOM) Processing Exploitation
and Dissemination (PED) Network.
The Soldiers’ feedback will informfuture development efforts of followon programs.
Leidos, in response to MDSS
requirements and industry request
for information (RFI), invested in
the procurement of a Bombardier
Challenger 650 aircraft, completed
industry partnering for sensor systemsolutions, completed aircraft andsensor design, initial non-recurring
engineering and basic airframe
modifications to compete for theopportunity to support Army MDSS/MDO manned aerial technology
demonstration efforts. Industry’s
initial investment was at risk andprovided the basic systems level
configuration and capability while
the Army buys the COCO manned
AISR capability as a turnkey service tovalidate MDSS/MDO requirements.

ARTEMISThe ARTEMIS modified Challenger 650 based system will provide
nearly four-times the weight-carrying
capability and more than twice the onstation time than our current Enhanced
Medium Altitude Reconnaissance andSurveillance System (EMARSS) and
Guardrail Common Sensor (GRCS)
fleets. The extra capability delivered by
ARTEMIS allows communications
intelligence (COMINT), electronic intelligence (ELINT) and eventually synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors tooperate simultaneously with over 10hours of unrefueled flight time. The
ability to automatically cross-cue sensors from a single aircraft providing
persistent coverage with greater standoff range is a critical requirement for
the Army’s future platform and a key
output of the ARTEMIS technicaldemonstration in FY20-21.
ARTEMIS will take advantageof the information-age and utilize
open-architecture, software-definable
mission equipment. The openarchitecture construct allows “on thefly” tech-insertions and the ability
to rapidly update and/or modify
signals intelligence (SIGINT) sensors
to emerging threats and emitters.
Not only does open-architecture
allow for rapid innovation, but it also
saves significant weight and power
43

requirements the current fleet has with
antiquated hardware architecture. The
hardware-centric models of the Army’s
current fixed wing AISR fleet are noteasily updated without substantial
integration costs and modification
timelines. These modifications remove
aircraft from the operational fleet forlong periods of time.

Deployment

ARTEMIS proved to be an effective
force multiplier during its initial
deployment to the Pacific Command(PACOM) Area of Responsibility(AOR).While deployed to the PACOM
AOR, the ARETMIS program flew
137 flight hours of tasked missions
and successfully demonstrated 10hour, high altitude, mission endurancewith the ability to support long range
overwater reach. The program validated
the tenets of MDSS stand-off, deep
sensing requirements.
ARTEMIS again demonstrated
its relevancy and MDO global
responsiveness when it shifted AOR
in mid-September. ARTEMIS rapidlytransited across 4600 miles to support
emerging AISR requirements insupport of the European Command(EUCOM). The ability to travel halfway
around the world in less than 24hours, and arrive in EUCOM primed
for missions, represents a significant
advancement for the Army’s ISR
portfolio and demonstrates capability
needed to keep pace with the tempo ofhigh-intensity conflict.

Follow-on Program

Through its successful deep sensing,high altitude missions, ARTEMIS
is opening the door for follow-on
programs such as the High Accuracy
Detection and Exploitation System(HADES). HADES is envisioned
to provide targeting for long-range
precision fire (LRPF), air launchedeffects (ALE), electronic warfare/electronic attack (EW/EA), cyber,and command and control (C2). The
Fixed Wing Project Office is currently
tracking an Army Requirement
Oversight Council (AROC) decision
for May 2021.
COL James DeBoer is the project manager
for the Fixed Wing Project Office, Program
Executive Office, Aviation; and Ms. Tracey Ayres supports that office as a strategic
communications specialist with KBR. Bothare located at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
November 30, 2020

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

Special Focus u Fixed Wing

EMARSS-V variant after completion of modernization efforts.

Delivering Capability Today:Project Manager Sensors–Aerial
Intelligence (PM SAI) has a long
history of developing and delivering sensor capabilities for the Army’s
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aerial fleet. As the Army’s
lead agency for lifecycle management of
airborne ISR sensors, PM SAI partners
with manned and unmanned platform
program offices to provide layered solutions to the intelligence and tacticalcommunities. Informed by its stakeholders, the platform program managers and PM SAI team together to field
the Army’s premier Aerial ISR systems,
enabling timely dissemination of intelligence products to meet current andfuture warfighter needs.
The Army continues to transition
from an asymmetric counter insurgency(COIN) battlefield to a more linear operational environment, against a near-peer
adversary. This shift to Multi-Domain
Operations (MDO) is not a new concept; however, its impact to the Aerial
ISR community has been brought tothe forefront based on the Army’s 2028
strategy. Sensors are required to provide
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

By Mr. Dennis A. Teefy

the analytical and collection capability to support multi-domain situational
understanding in support of the deep
fight. Deep sensing is vital to maintaining information dominance. PM SAI’s
capability to engage in MDO will aid in
rapid decision making in order to deliver
kinetic and non-kinetic effects during
both the competition and conflict phases.
The current Aerial ISR portfolio ofsystems are being adapted to the new
Aerial ISR strategy. PM SAI and its
partners have a three-pronged approachto maintain and expand the Army’s Aerial ISR capability. The Army will maintain the current fleet of systems, field
new or upgraded systems as a bridging
strategy, and develop new systems optimized to meet the future threats.

Sustain and Modernize the Current
Fleet

PM SAI will continue to sustain andmodernize the sensors on the current
fleet of manned and unmanned systems.
PM SAI is methodically updating sensors on the Guardrail Common Sensor (GRCS) System and the Enhanced
44

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

Pivoting to the Future

ARL-E conducting test flights in preparation for
final delivery to the Army

Medium Altitude Reconnaissance andSurveillance System (EMARSS) families
to both address obsolescence and provide greater relevance in Multi Domain
Operations. The new sensors incorporated on these currently fielded systems
focus on both substantial increases incapability and allow rapid growth in
the future through incorporation ofa modular open system architecture.
Through advancements in hardware
and software improvements, PM SAI isalso upgrading sensors residing on theboth the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and theRQ-7 Shadow Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The program office will use
November 30, 2020

Bridging the Gap

The Army is the midst of testing andfielding systems that bridge the gap until
the ideal solutions can be developed andfielded. The Airborne Reconnaissance
Low-Enhanced (ARL-E), is the Army’s
newest manned multi-sensor, day andnight, all-weather Aerial ISR system.
PM SAI, in partnership with PM Fixed
Wing, will deliver a platform with a reconfigurable payload and enhanced communications intelligence (COMINT)
and imagery intelligence (IMINT) sensors, long-range ground and dismounted
moving target indicator/synthetic aperture radar, high-definition electrooptical/infra-red full motion video, andhyperspectral imagery. The ARL-E program will begin fielding in 2021 and will
provide the most integrated and capable
Army Aerial ISR system in the fleet. It
will provide both COIN capability andan advanced MDO capability during thecompetition phase.
The Army will also develop andfield the prototype EMARSS-E system
which will serve as a potential bridge toprovide Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)
capability to the EMARSS family until
Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS)High Accuracy Detection & Exploitation System (HADES) system comes
online. This capability is critical tosupport deep-targeting and early Indications & Warnings for Joint All Domain Operations ( JADO). The additionof EMARSS-E to the fleet provides anear-term bridging capability to the
Army. PM SAI provides the sensor
systems to PM Fixed Wing in order tosupport fielding in 2023.

Pivoting to the Future

PM SAI is also in the middle of the
Army’s effort to pivot to the future. This
pivot is codified in the MDSS concept.
The MDSS lays out the vision for themodernized Army Aerial ISR needs.
MDSS is not a single Aerial collection platform, but rather a family of
integrated flying systems that will deliver relevant sensing through the entire
depth and breadth of the multi-domain
operations battlefield. The concept operates from tree-tops to high altitude andat low Earth orbit. MDSS will collecARMY AVIATION Magazine

tively provide sensing capabilities fromthe forward line of our troops throughthe operational deep fires area.
The first priority for MDSS development of Aerial ISR support is the
MDSS HADES program. HADES
is envisioned to take high technology
readiness level sensors and integrate ona more survivable, higher altitude, andfaster Aerial platform. A key underpinning to this program is the relianceon open architecture and standards toensure the long term flexibility of thesystems. Open architecture will allow
the Army to effectively and efficiently
modify sensor packages on the platform
to address new or emerging threats.
The Army is undergoing a campaign oflearning to inform the proper combination of sensors and Aerial platforms tomeet the Army’s user requirements.
Additionally, PM SAI is partneringwith the research and development community and the requirements community
to establish science and technology sensor
programs to support additional MDSS
programs that will be integrated on Unmanned Aerial Systems, High Altitude
Balloons, and Low Earth Orbit Satellites.
Smart investments in these areas will provide the Army with flexibility and drive
smart, long term acquisition decisions.
PM SAI is responsible for the delivery

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

obsolescence of legacy sensors on theseplatforms as an opportunity to modernize the sensors and increase capabilities.
As replacement systems are developed
and fielded, the Army will also strategically divest legacy sensors and systems.

MQ-1C Gray Eagle with STARLITE payload.

of the Army’s premier Aerial ISR sensors
to enable timely dissemination of intelligence products to meet current and future
warfighter needs. To do this PM SAI fosters a culture that grows the capabilities of
our workforce, embraces change, executes
tactically, and looks forward strategically. Through the execution of the threepronged approach to sensor acquisition,
PM SAI will continue to deliver capabilities to meet the current threat and provide
focus on meeting the emerging threats
and requirements through delivery of systems to the field.
Mr. Dennis A. Teefy is the Project Director,
Sensor–Aerial Intelligence in the Program
Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic
Warfare & Sensors at Aberdeen Proving
Ground, MD.

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November 30, 2020

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CW3 SUMMER ALLEN

Special Focus u Fixed Wing

US Army OSA Fixed Wing Provides Direct
Capability in Response to COVID-19
By LTC Scott MessareAs the saying goes, ‘the Armykeeps rolling along’ or in thiscase flying along. Uniquely positioned, the U.S. Army Operational Support Airlift (OSA) non-executive Fixed
Wing enterprise answered the call when
our nation looked to the Department of
Defense (DoD) and Army senior leaders(ASL) to continue to fulfill their roles inproviding national defense and an effective response capability to the novel
Coronavirus (COVID-19). The prevailing expectation was that an effective
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

response would include field hospitals,
mobile assessment teams, treatment, andtesting locations. A critical aspect of the
Army’s ability to respond in such a timely
manner was the availability and responsiveness of the U.S. Army OSA fleet. The
OSA fleet provided readily available andsafe transport for key leaders across thenation to achieve critical milestones in
the Army’s response effort. Since March,a prevailing sentiment among ASLs has
been that the travel made possible by the
OSA MILAIR fleet, was instrumental
46

A C-12V from Operational Support Airlift Activity
Flight Detachment (OFD) arrives at Ft. Bragg, NC
on mission in support of COVID-19 movement
requests.

in their ability to meet mission objectives. Between March and 1 Oct., 149
COVID-19 related Army OSA support
missions were scheduled and executed.
As we can all attest, the global COVID-19 pandemic has permeated every aspect of our personal and professional lives
since March 2020. Most would agree that
November 30, 2020

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY LTC SCOTT MESSAREA UC35 Citation from the Operational Support Airlift Activity Flight Detachment (OFD) conducting COVID mission support from Andrews AFB, MD to El Paso, TX
captures a glimpse of the closed runways at the Tulsa International Airport converted into a commercial air carrier parking ramp.

the normalization of a masked environment, maximum tele-work and the addition of social distancing have concurrently
forced a tidal wave of change in a shorttime. These factors have systematicallychanged how we communicate, operate
and integrate current and future plans
into daily routines. Some of these changes
were positive and removed workplacebarriers. In other areas, it has stretchedorganizational limits, forcing innovation
and adaptation across every facet of the
OSA mission, as failure to do so risks
functional obsolescence.
Another result of COVID that significantly affected many people acrossthe United States, was the degradation of the transportation industry. As
a result, this removed both the routine
convenience and perceived safety ofmass transportation. After losing commercial air options, the historic alternative to MILAIR, an unprecedented
stateside mobility gap emerged which
had previously never existed.

Traditional Mission

Traditionally, the U.S. Army operates
a fleet of OSA aircraft to support globally aligned wartime mission requirements.
Their mission is to transport high-priority and/or time sensitive passengers andcargo based on combatant commanderrequirements. As a bi-product of aircrew
proficiency training intended to generate
wartime readiness, the Fixed Wing fleet
historically provided prioritized passenger movement for sensitive or time critical information/material in a CONUS
environment. This support is provided
through a centralized request, validation and scheduling process managedby two organizations. The first is at thejoint level through USTRANSCOM at
Scott Air Force Base, overseeing opportunity movements and courier missions.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

The second organization is the Operational Support Airlift Activity (OSA-A)
at Fort Belvoir, where Army operational
requirements such as blood transport,
OCONUS flight support, and ferry
flights are managed. In our current environment, the Fixed Wing OSA fleet is
operating in a high OPTEMPO where
mission requests and requirements havethe very real possibility of exceeding thelimitations of available resources. All
three Army components have an array of
aircraft aligned as either single platform
state detachments distributed across thecountry, or in small nodes tailored tomeet various mission, training and support requirements.
While innovation was required tocounter many of the COVID-19 challenges, the OSA Fixed Wing fleet was
ready to provide immediate transportation capabilities as airports and airlines
grounded their fleets. In this way, theU.S. Army OSA non-executive Fixed
Wing fleet kicked into high gear, executing coast to coast and regional flight
mission support. Some of these mission roles included non-executive MILAIR to enable critical COVID task
force movements, critical senior leader
engagements, COVID assessment andinvestigation, and priority deployment
and redeployment movements. There
were also COVID-19 movements thatwere simply associated with reducing
exposure opportunities.

Transformative Impacts

During COVID-19, OSA-A Quality Assurance Office (QA) assumed thelead role in scheduling COVID-19 related support requirements. For the firsttime ever, OSA-A QA began schedulingnearly all U.S. ARMY MILAIR requests
due to their operational nature. Equally
impressive, this transition occurred in a
47

100% telework environment with tremendous effectiveness and responsivenessto ASLs, often supporting short noticehigh priority missions. From March to
October 2020, OSA-A QA in conjunction with Joint Operations Scheduling
Airlift Center ( JOSAC) at USTRANSCOM has scheduled 1,149 COVID-19
related missions (CONUS only). Thistranslates to 125 missions flown by
the Operational Support Airlift Activity Flight Detachment (OFD), the only
stateside COMPO-1 non-executive entity, 326 missions flown by detachmentsof the Army National Guard (ARNG)
fleet, and 698 missions by the US Army
Reserve fleet. The OSA COVID designated main effort was recently designatedto COMPO-1 and COMPO-3 fleet
which resulted in increased funding toensure this tremendous success.
The transformative impact of COVID-19 has made common activities
difficult. It has changed our lexicon
to include “see you on TEAMS” and“send it on GEARS” while simultaneously employing maximum teleworkand the mindset of “preserving Combat
Power” in a stateside environment.
Our organization’s aim during thisunprecedented time was to not only
meet mission requirements, but truly
seek ways to improve, increase efficiency, efficacy, and connectivity, while operating in this dispersed environment.
Positive growth and change come frommeeting challenging situations head on
and the OSA Fixed Wing fleet across
all COMPOs has proven this fact inrecent months with superior results.
“Wartime Readiness!”
LTC Scott Messare, is the commander of
the Operational Support Airlift Activity(OSA-A) of The Army Aviation Brigade(TAAB), Fort Belvoir, VA.
November 30, 2020

Special Focus u Fixed Wing

U.S ARMY PHOTO PROVIDED BY 1LT DEREK SLAUGHTER

Army
Reserve
Fixed Wing:
Anytime,Anywhere
By COL Roger Deon, LTC Wayne
Schaitel and MAJ Dan SearsO

flight hours, to enable movement of
2,200+ passengers, in direct response to
the COVID-19 requirements.
When the US Army mobilized the
Urban Augmentation Medical Task
Force (UAMTF) to fight COVID-19
throughout the United States, theUSAR Theater Aviation Battalions(TAB) were invaluable to the immediate deployment of medical teams. Thiseffort prevented the need to quarantine these highly sought after teams,
allowing their skills and resources toensure immediate medical capability tosome of the most affected communities throughout America. Urban centerssuch as New York City, Chicago, Seattle,
and Los Angeles all received critical assistance with the direct assistance from
USAR TABs.
“The ability to move medical teams fromtheir hometowns, to the urban centersaround America, with immediate capacity
to provide assistance, was imperative to

U.S ARMY PHOTO PROVIDED BY CW4 ADAM STEINn March 13th, 2020, the US Armyneeded immediate solutions
to the emerging COVID-19
pandemic. A key capability that proved
vital to the air movement of key
leaders, essential personnel and vital
equipment was the US Army Reserve(USAR) Fixed Wing Battalions. Witha reach across the entire continental
United States, two USAR Theater
Aviation Battalions, equipped withboth C-12U/V and UC-35A/B
aircraft, provided vital capacity to move
medical teams, senior leaders, and first
responders with point-to-point air
movement. The exceptionally capable
fixed wing command teams, combinedwith their professional aircrews andstaff, worked tirelessly to execute thiscritical mission with a positive impact
felt throughout the Army and theDepartment of Defense. To date, both
USAR Theater Aviation Battalions
have flown 800+ missions and 4,500+

B Company 2-228th Theater Aviation Battalion (TAB) enables BG Kris Belanger, deputy commanding
general of Human Resources Command (HRC) to continue critical mission requirements during
COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured from left to right are 1LT Derek Slaughter and BG Kris Belanger.

Crewmembers from B Company 2-228th Theater Aviation Battalion (TAB) deliver MG Diana Holland (center
left), Commanding General US Army Corps of Engineers, Southern Atlantic Region, and her aide, CPT
Hannah Matthews (center right), for the opening of a 450 bed field hospital at the Miami Beach Convention
Center. Aircrew members of the UC-35B include CW4 Curtis Miller (left) and CW4 Adam Stein (right).
ARMY AVIATION Magazine48

the overall success of the Army’s campaign
to combat COVID-19,” said Brig. Gen.
Jami Shawley, Commanding General of
the Army Reserve Aviation Command.
COVID-19 even interrupted theDepartment of the Army Secretariat(DA SEC) Promotion and Selection
Boards, held regularly at the Human
Resources Command complex, Fort
Knox, Kentucky. The Army could nolonger risk the possibility of spreading
the virus via the standard domestic
travel apparatus. The USAR TABs
provided a solution that enabled
promotion and selection boards toresume, which is imperative to the ongoing talent management initiatives
that impact virtually every formation.
The precision required to plan,
coordinate, and execute the many Fixed
Wing Air Missions associated with the
COVID-19 response was daunting at
first. The United States Army Reserve
Command (USARC) G3/5/7 Aviation
Directorate stood up a Mission
Command node called the “Double
Eagle Express” to ensure the timely,
effective, and cost efficient manner tomeet the many competing priorities.
The Double Eagle Express has direct
liaison to the Army Reserve Aviation
Command (ARAC) and both Theater
Aviation Battalions (6th Battalion,
52nd Aviation with headquarters at Los
Alamitos California, and 2nd Battalion,
228th Aviation, with headquarters at
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,
New Jersey). This liaison enabled thecoordination and approval process
imbedded in the Joint Operational
November 30, 2020

Support Airlift Center ( JOSAC) at
Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and the
Operational Support Airlift Activity(OSA-A) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, fortimely mission approval.
Brig. Gen. Brian R. Bisacre, USARC
G3/5/7, described the effort when hesaid, “The entire USAR Fixed Wing
community has worked together to optimize
Fixed Wing capabilities to meet the demandin the current operational environment.
Like all great units, we will continue
to train, build readiness and leveragecapabilities to enable our Army during thisglobal pandemic while ensuring the healthand protection of our Soldiers and families.
This remains our top priority.”
The most critical requirement rightnow is to reduce the threat of exposure
to the virus by eliminating the contact
experienced throughout conventional
ground and air travel. Senior leaders,
medical teams, and students alike canarrive at a local airfield and walk directly
to a U-12U/V “Huron” King Air or a
UC-35A/B Citation Jet. After initial
screening, and a COVID-19 tailoredpassenger brief, the aircrew will deliver
the passengers to their destination
with little risk to expanding thenegative impact of the pandemic. By

reducing the risk to viral contact, thesepassengers avoid the crippling impactof quarantine or isolation requirements
upon arrival and immediately begin
their follow-on missions. Missions
such as saving American lives, directing
fundamental elements of our National
Security, or simply training for the
future and building individual readinessacross the force.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed
the strategic importance of maintaining
the capability to safely and efficiently
conduct fixed wing air movement ofcritical personnel to vital operating environments during a national emergency. No other Army transportation asset(both ground and air) could provide theadvantages of Army Fixed Wing travel.
The ARAC remains committed to a
cost effective, highly responsive, and always ready solution for safe and effective
air movement of indispensable resources, whether it is within the Continental
United States, or beyond.
Army Reserve aviators continue
to demonstrate their commitment toprovide theater-level Aviation support
to COCOM Commanders engaged inextending critical assistance to adversely
impacted local communities by theongoing pandemic. Fixed wing aircrews
perform their Mission Essential Tasks
to daily ensure command, control, andcommunications (C3), staff transportand liaison, and air movement ofcritical equipment, supplies, parts andpersonnel, always maintaining thehighest levels of unit readiness.
The USAR fixed wing capability reduces risk to force, offers cost savings toour operational combined budgets, andenables a reliable alternative to commercial air travel. USAR Fixed Wing
Aviation remains resilient, ready, andprepared for today’s mission and stands
ready to increase the demanding capabilities of Fixed Wing requirements
long in the future. We have proven that
we are the transportation choice for Senior Leaders, Medical response teams,
and mission essential personnel during
a pandemic. And during future national
emergencies, USAR Fixed Wing Aviation remains ready - anytime, anywhere.
COL Roger Deon is the Director of the
USARC Aviation Directorate, LTC
Wayne Schaitel is the Commander of the
US Army Jet Training Detachment, and
MAJ Daniel Sears is the Officer in Chargeof USARC Air Operations Cell.

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

49

November 30, 2020

Special Focus u Fixed Wing

Army
National
Guard
Fixed Wing
Training

FWAATS PHOTO BY LTC WADE JOHNSON

By CW2 Jim Smith and
LTC Wade Johnson

For nearly four decades, the Fixed Wing Army National
Guard Aviation Training Site (FWAATS), located in Bridgeport, WV, has served as the fixed-wing element of the Army
National Guard’s Army Aviation Training Site (AATS) network; and in some cases, the sole source provider for nonstandard fixed wing aircraft training within the United States
Army Training and Doctrine Command’s (TRADOC’s) One
Army School System (OAAS). As one of four National Guard
Army Aviation Training Sites, the AATS collectively provide
a tremendous multi-component training resource to Army
Aviation, conducting a wide variety of initial and graduatelevel training, to include Aircraft Qualification Courses, Instructor Pilot Courses, Instrument Examiner Courses, Maintenance Test Pilot Courses, and numerous Nonrated Crew
Member (NRCM) Standardization Courses as well.

MissionThe primary mission of the FWAATS is to conduct individual aircrew member qualification training for all three
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

An FWAATS C12U Huron catches a ride aboard
the USS Essex, at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, Coronado, CA, July 25, 2020, enroute to its
new home with the Hawaii Army National Guard’s
Fixed Wing Flight Detachment.

Components of the United States Army (Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard); to provide aviation quality assurance by performing flight evaluations and developing courses
of instruction that standardize flight procedures; to operate
flight simulators in support of both courses of instruction andregional training requirements as directed by the Chief, NGB;
to conduct individual enlisted crew member training; and toprovide medical services and crash rescue capability in supportof the FWAATS mission. Upon mobilization, the FWAATS
augments the TRADOC aviation training mission as an activity under command and control of the United States Army
Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE).
For more than two decades, the Instrument Examiner
Course (conducted in both the C-12 Huron, and C-26 Metroliner) has been the mainstay in the unit’s catalog of courses.
Others, such as the KA-300/350 Qualification Course for Task
Force Observe, Detect, Identify and Neutralize (TF ODIN),
and the Task Force Communications Electronic Attack with
Surveillance And Reconnaissance (TF CEASAR) C-12R
50

November 30, 2020

have their personnel on site not only allowed us to establish
currency for our crews including our Instructor Pilot andMaintenance Test Pilot, we were also able to pull from theirexperience re-establishing our programs after a lengthy hiatusfrom operations. Over the years FWAATS has always been an
outstanding resource and have been extremely supportive of
the needs of our program.”
As Army Aviation marches forward with its Future Vertical
Lift (FVL), Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA),
and Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) programs,
the fixed wing community anxiously awaits a future decisionon its Future Utility Aircraft (FUA) program. In the interim,
it may be more important than ever to continue using existing equipment and personnel in increasingly innovative ways
to continue shaping the Army Aviation Enterprise and ensure
mission success. As Thomas Edison once said, “There’s a way to
do it better, find it.”

Qualification Course, emerge on demand from the DoD for
special purpose missions, or to meet surge requirements in support of contingency operations worldwide.

Accreditation

The FWAATS is a four-time TRADOC Learning Institution of Excellence, having successfully maintained its triennial accreditation for more than fifteen consecutive years.
Much of its success is owed to its ability to recruit and retain
the very best instructors the Army has to offer. While theteam is primarily comprised of Title 32 Active Guard andReserve (AGR) personnel, supported by its Title 32 Traditional Guardsmen and women, the cumulative experiencelevel of the FWAATS’s cadre eclipses that of many of its
contemporary fixed wing organizations. In fact, several of
its senior instructors came directly from the Active Army or
Army Reserve, having proven themselves as highly qualified
instructors, instrument examiners, and standardization pilots.
The diversity of experience spans the gamut of nearly every
fixed-wing aircraft and mission set the Army has to offer.
Likewise, their previous assignments span a sundry of positions, from State-level Detachment Commands, to the NGB,
the Operational Support Airlift Activity (OSA-A), Army
Aviation’s Directorate of Evaluations and Standards (DES),
and the Army Capabilities Management (ACM)(formerlyTCM) office, just to name a few.
With unique capabilities, come unique opportunities.
Over the years, FWAATS team members, past and present,
have assisted countless units in the field, and have provided
solutions on short suspense leveraging the composition of theunit, and the programs they manage. For example, when a
new Army mission set arose to operate under the Air Force
Special Operations Command, FWAATS's cadre not only
conducted the C-12R qualification training for deploying
personnel, they also participated in equipment testing, ferried
aircraft to theater, and spent several weeks with the deployedunit as the fledgling program was established.
“Although some of the ideas brought to us don’t come tofruition, FWAATS is always willing to assist in everythingfrom ad hoc mission training development, to providing
highly seasoned trainers to execute the training when required,” said Operations Officer MAJ Kevin Herlihy. “While
our primary mission revolves around regularly scheduledtraining courses, we are always happy to lend our expertise tofind innovative solutions with field units.”

UAS Instrument Flight Training

Currently, members of the FWAATS team are entering
new territory in an effort to assist Active Duty (and eventually National Guard) Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) aircrews with standardizing their instrument
flight training programs, to better educate their pilots andprepare for further future integration of unmanned systems
in the National Airspace System. There is excitement about
the possibility of expanding FWAATS capabilities to support the Unmanned ISR Community. While the FWAATS
will retain its core mission of training the Army’s fixed wing
aviators for years to come – particularly as we look to become
even more integrated with the Intelligence Surveillance andReconnaissance (ISR) communities – there is still a general
sense of trepidation in the commercial aviation community
when it comes to operating unmanned aircraft above the coordinating altitude. Our highly qualified instrument examiner instructors will ensure Gray Eagle aircrews are sufficiently
prepared to operate in the National Airspace.
For more information on existing courses offered at the
Fixed Wing Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, orfor contact information to discuss other potential capabilities,
visit https://www.wv.ng.mil/FWAATS.
LTC Wade Johnson is the commander and CW2 Jim Smith an
instructor pilot at the FWAATS located in Bridgeport, WV.
An FWAATS C-12R on the ramp in El Paso, TX, July 16, 2020, after delivering COVID-19 test kits and support personnel for redeploying National Guard
Soldiers.

Exportable Training

Although the preponderance of its courses are designed tobe conducted at its training facility in Bridgeport, WV, the
FWAATS team has, when dictated by mission or geographical necessity, exported its training packages when and where
needed. In 2017, members of the FWAATS team traveled to
Wiesbaden, Germany to conduct Maintenance Test Pilot andStandardization Pilot Training for several members of Echo
Company, 214th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB)
in their C-12U aircraft. Recently, instructor pilots from the
FWAATS assisted the Hawaii Army National Guard after receiving a replacement C-12U (previously a C-26 unit) following a more than two year period without an aircraft assigned
to the unit. “Assistance from FWAATS personnel conducting
qualification training on site here in Hawaii was critical tostanding our program up in a timely manner”, said Detachment Commander, CW5 Darren Dela Vega. “The ability to
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

51

November 30, 2020

From the Field u597th Support Maintenance Detachment –U.S. ARMY AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES COMMAND PHOTO

Providing Below-Depot Support to the National
Guard Bureau By CW3 Marvin De OcampoT

he 597th Support MaintenanceDetachment (SMD) is the only
unit of its type in the UnitedStates Army. It provides belowdepot sustainment maintenance andother technical assistance to Active,
National Guard, and Reserve Air
Traffic Services (ATS) units around theglobe. The 597th SMD’s uniquely large
concentration of MOS 94D (Air Traffic
Control Equipment Repairer) Soldiersand Department of the Army Civilian(DAC) ATS maintenance experts
makes the unit a valuable asset for all
Army compo ATS units to meet theirlogistical and readiness requirements.

Case Study

Recently, F/1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) from
the Maryland Army National Guard(MDARNG) enlisted the help of 597th
SMD to provide below-depot sustainARMY AVIATION Magazine

ment maintenance support on their
Mobile Tower System (MOTS). Their
MOTS had been non-mission-capable
for months due to water intrusion andwas deemed by the unit and depot as
beyond the capability of F/1-111th’sorganic 94Ds to repair. A team of experts from 597th SMD and Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM)
traveled to Maryland and assessed theextent of the damage on the MOTS
to determine the level of repair it required. The team determined that the
repairs could not only be performedby the 597th SMD, but also done at asignificant cost savings to the National
Guard Bureau (NGB) compared to a
depot repair. After a few weeks coordinating for funding and maintenancerelease authorizations, the NGB andF/1-111th GSAB made the decision
to send the MOTS to the 597th SMD
at Fort Rucker, AL for repair.
52

Above left: SSG Castillo and SPC Coffe
conducting initial inspection of the 1-111th
GSAB MOTS.
Above right: SPC Reynoso and SPC Sherrod
removing the damaged safe as part of theteardown of the 1-111th GSAB MOTS.

Upon arrival of the MOTS at 597th
SMD’s maintenance facility in late June
2020, Mobile Maintenance Contact
Team (MMCT) #3 immediately went
to work using the phase maintenanceapproach. It became the perfectopportunity for the Soldiers and DACs
to demonstrate their ability to perform
below-depot sustainment maintenance.
The team first reviewed the maintenancework packages and drawings to ensurethat they were prepared for anythingout of the ordinary. They then removed
the radios, safe, servers, workstations,November 30, 2020and other components for cleaning andtesting, documenting and tagging eachcomponent. MMCT #3 cleaned andsanitized the MOTS interior to remove
every trace of mold that developed
because of the damp environment
and addressed all corrosion concerns
to ensure the water intrusion did notcompromise the integrity of the chassis.
The 597th SMD’s Production
Control (PC) office acted as thecentral hub for all work and provided
priority and oversight of F/1-111
GSAB’s MOTS repair. The PC officeassigned the radios, workstations,and other components to the 94D
Soldiers for cleaning and testing.
The Soldiers conducted initialinspections and cleaning tasks prior
to testing their assigned component.
They then replaced hub batteries andother authorized repairs that theyfound during their testing process,and conducted software reloads andupgrades on workstations to addresssynchronizing issues during testing.
Upon completion of the component
repair, the 94Ds returned their assigned
work to the Production Control office
for installation to the MOTS.
MMCT #3 began installation oftested components upon completionof sanitation and corrosion tasks.
They tested the MOTS to identify
additional faults and maintenanceissues, and conducted fault localizationand isolation during component or
system failures. The DACs worked
alongside the Soldiers to provide
technical assistance when needed.
When the Soldiers and DACs wereasked about the most challenging
part of performing the repair, theysaid that it was availability of repair
parts. The Production Control officeleveraged the item manager, life cycle
manager, depot, and acquisition officefor expedient receipt of the repair
parts to minimize delay. In addition,
the Production Control office worked
directly with outside sources to ensure
timely delivery of repair parts.
The MOTS was then prepared for
one final test upon completion of all
repairs: the water intrusion test. The
Soldiers and DACs simulated a storm
scenario by spraying large amountsof water and high force winds todetermine if the repairs were soundand if water continued to leak into the
MOTS. The test determined there was
no water intrusion inside the MOTS.

With all repairs completed, approval
was given to return the MOTS to
F/1-111th GSAB providing the unit
with a fully mission capable MOTS
for their next training event whenthe equipment arrives at their unit in
October 2020.

Conclusion

597th SMD’s below-depot sustainment maintenance on F/1-111th
GSAB’s MOTS is one example ofthe unit’s continued effort to support
the NGB, and also demonstrates the
National Guard’s level of trust in theknowledge and skills of the unit’s Soldiers and civilians. National Guard ATS
units continue to call on 597th SMD
for support on ATS system repair andreadiness, and the 597th remains readyto support Army ATS organizations at
every level with below-depot sustainment maintenance and other technicalassistance.
CW3 Marvin De Ocampo is thecommander of the 597th Support
Maintenance Detachment, 164th Theater
Airfield Operations Group, Air Traffic
Services Command at Fort Rucker, AL.

Nominate A Soldier
M AG A Z I N E

TODAY!

PHOTO CONTESTAAAA Award Nominations
Are Now Open !
Awards To Be Presented at theAnnual Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit:

Submissions Due 1/15/21

BY 1LT REBECCA E. CARDWELL

12 CASHAwardsDAC of the Year
USAR Unit of the Year
McClellan Safety Award
ARNG Unit of the Year
Soldier of the Year
Active Unit of the YearNCO of the Year
Outstanding Unit of the Year
Crew Chief of the Year
Nominations Due:January 1, 2020
Aviator of the Yearquad-a.org
Leich Award

Open to all AAAA Members
ARMYAVIATIONmagazine.com
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

53

November 30, 2020

Historical Perspective u

55 Years Ago, Ia Drang – Part I:

LZ X-Ray

By Mark Albertson

WIKIPEDIA COMMONS PHOTO

Helicopter of MAJ Bruce Crandall, commander of the229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, low over LZ X-Ray.

The Initial Assault

Editor’s Note: This is the first of two articles commemorating the55th Anniversary of the Battle of Ia Drang, Vietnam

1017 hours, artillery loudly opened the debate, bombarding
Landing Zones X-Ray and Tango for eight minutes; followed
by a twenty minute shelling of the former. Once lifted, UH1B helicopters from the Aerial Rocket Artillery battalion
continued the softening up process. The above remained onstandby for continued support. Helicopter gunships escorted
troop-carrying Hueys. The gunships lent suppressive fire withmachine guns and rockets. Incoming lift copters saw their door
gunners add to the suppressive fire as they landed Moore’s
cavalrymen, with Company B making the initial assault.1
Sixteen helicopters inserted Bravo Company onto X-Ray.
The clearing was expansive enough for 8 to 10 helicopters at atime. Turn-around time for helicopters to bring in A, C and D
Companies had been planned for no more than thirty minutes.
“Once on the ground, Alpha and Bravo Companies
were to assemble in attack formation just off the north andnortheastern sectors of the landing zone, prepared to searcheast and northeast on order, with Alpha Company on the right.
Designated first as a reserve force, Charlie Company would
assume the security mission from Bravo Company on order,
with a prepared task to move west and northwest, searching
the lower portion of the Chu Pong, located just west of thelanding zone. Bravo Company had priority of fire at the start,
but once the westward push from the landing zone began,priority would shift to Alpha Company.”2

F

WIKIPEDIA COMMONS PHOTO

ifty-five years ago, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
went on the attack. Division commander, MG Harry
W.O. Kinnard, ordered COL Thomas W. Brown,commander, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, to send units
south of the Ia Drang River, within the shadow of the Chu
Pong mountain range. Brown’s units were the 1st and 2nd
Battalions, 7th Cavalry Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 5thCavalry Regiment. To the east, some six or seven miles at LZ
Falcon, two batteries of 105 mm howitzers would be set up forfire support. 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, commanded by LTC
Harold G. Moore, was to be inserted by helicopter into LZ
X-Ray, 1030 hours, November 14. Objective: Engage in searchand destroy operations in the Ia Drang Valley.

The Battle Develops

During the course of the battle, November 14 and 15, theUH-1 Huey helicopter proved invaluable. MAJ Crandell

LTC Harold G. Moore, on his phone, during the battle of LZ X-Ray,
November 14-15, 1965.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

54

November 30, 2020

Sustaining the Fight

commanding the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion lifted
Moore’s cavalrymen into action. During the fourth roundof landings, the NVA took X-Ray under fire, increasing theintensity as the Communists awoke to the danger. General
Chu Huy Man attacked the cavalrymen from all sides, whileraining 60 mm and 81 mm mortar rounds onto X-Ray. By
1330, Bravo Company was being heavily attacked by two NVA
companies, supported by rocket and mortar fire; and its rightplatoon was in danger of being cut off.3
Alpha Company was ordered to protect the left flank of
the heavily engaged Bravo Company; in addition to assisting
Bravo to come to the relief of the beleaguered right platoon
threatened with encirclement.4 Tube artillery and ARA
began a pummeling of the Chu Pong foothills and enemy
infiltration routes.5
Meanwhile, as Bravo Company was in a thick of a fight,
Charlie Company was making its entry into a hot landing
zone. “In fact, as the last elements of C Company landed,lead elements of D Company landed. “As they landed, thehelicopters took numerous hits, but none were shot down.”6
However, “one radio operator was killed before he could
dismount from a helicopter and the door gunner and pilot
were wounded. “Colonel Moore stopped the other eight UH1-Ds from landing. “Those who landed from D Company
immediately became engaged in a fire fight near A Company.
“The fighting became more intense. “Colonel Moore decided
to pull back A and B Companies under cover of heavy
supporting fire and smoke to the fringe of the landing zone
and set up a tight defensive perimeter for the night.”7

MAJ Crandall asked for volunteers to fly in needed supplies,
evacuate wounded and bring in reinforcements. “Tactical air
flew missions throughout the night and the Air Force flare ship
maintained constant illumination of the battle area. “Pilots of lift
ships braved the dangers of the fire-swept L-Z to bring in reinforcements and re-supply and carry out wounded and dead.”8
As night fell, attempts to break through to the “lost platoon”
had come up short, though communication was maintained. The
NVA conducted probing attacks against Moore’s perimeter. Attacks against the isolated platoon, as well as X-Ray, were repulsed.
Defense was bolstered by gun batteries at Falcon. More than
4,000 rounds of ordnance had been expended in close support.
To be continued.

U.S. ARMY GRAPHIC, WIKIPEDIA COMMONSENDNOTES:

The battle of the Ia Drang, 14-20 November 1965; LZ-X-Ray in the centerof the map.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

55

1 - See page 78, Chapter IV, “The First Airmobile Divisionand the Buildup, 1965: The Ia Drang,” Vietnam Studies: Air
Mobility, 1961-1971, Lieutenant General John J. Tolson.
2 - See pages 7 and 8, “Ia Drang Valley Campaign Oct.Nov.1965,” by MSG Erik Wilson, MSG Jeff Noe, MSG June
Pugh, MSG James Wells and MSG Shannon Boyer.
3 - See page 26, “Battle of LZ X-Ray,” by Captain Robert H.
Edwards.
4 - See page 5, “After Action Report, Ia Drang Valley
Operation, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 14-15 November
1965,” Commanding Officer, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry
Division (Airmobile).
5 - ibid page 6
6 - ibid page 7
7 - See page 78, Tolson.
8 - See page 141, “14 November, 1. Operations Summary,Operations Report, Lessons Learned, Report 3-66, The Pleiku
Campaign.” The reference to MAJ Bruce Crandall asking forvolunteers to maintain that lifeline of supply and reinforcements
was in response to LTC Moore closing down the landing zone
so as to prevent Army Aviators from incurring heavy losses
which would threaten the continuing operation of the lifeline.
This can be found on page 128, “Landing Zone (LZ) X-Ray–desperate times, conspicuous heroism,” A History of Army
Aviation, by Dr. James W. Williams.
For greater detail on MAJ Crandall asking for volunteers
to continue flying into LZ X-Ray, go to page 117, Chapter
9, “Brave Aviators,” We Were Soldiers Once . . . And Young,by LTG Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway. In
addition, refer to pages 114 and 115, explaining how “slick
crews,” those trained to fly in troops and supplies were also
ferrying wounded. Transportation of wounded was the provinceof MEDEVAC; but, at this stage of the war, MEDEVAC
commanders were denying their aviators and helicopters fromlanding in hot zones. Again, refer to Williams, page 128, as
well with regards to commitment of MEDEVAC: “Casualties
mounted quickly. The need for MEDEVAC was urgent, but
the recent experience of losing these helicopters came into play.
The unit called for MEDEVAC, but the new division policy
for MEDEVAC required a cold LZ for five minutes. That was
impossible. This left the lift unit to carry out wounded.”
Finally, we see Moore faced the prospect that without
preserving Landing Zone X-Ray, he faced defeat.
Mark Albertson is the award-winning Army Aviation
Publications Historian and a contributing editor to ARMYAVIATION magazine.
November 30, 2020

AAAA

u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORTAAAA Scholarship Foundation

Phenomenal Work Behind the Scenes

A

AAA Scholarship Foundation, Incorporated (SFI)
has awarded more than 5,000 scholarships andover $8.6 million to its members, families and soldiers
since its inception in 1963.

Sue Stokes

This outstanding achievement wasmade possible by the 44 membersof its Board of Governors who
are all volunteers and receive nocompensation. Due to the growth ofthe organization over the years, the SFI
coordinated with AAAA’s National
Executive Board (NEB) to fund a fulltime program manager to assist with thedaily management functions requiredin the organization. In early 2013,
Ms. Sue Stokes joined the SFI and
immediately became a highly effective
member of the organization. Simply
stated, we could not have enjoyed theremarkable success achieved over thelast seven years without her selflessperformance of duty.
On September 30, 2020, Sue Stokes
retired as SFI Program Manager. She
was always professional, dedicated andwilling to look for improvements in efficiency and functionality. Encompassed
within her responsibilities included
scholarship application development,
verification of application data, coordination of applicant evaluation, notification/
disbursement of scholarship funds, data/
historical tracking and interfacing withdonors, chapter representatives, dignitaries, and industry partners. She has supported the AAAA SFI Board of Governors (BOG) in numerous areas fromworking with investment consultants toestablishing marketing campaigns.
As a strong advocate for the program,Sue was always looking to enhance theprogram and pursued outside the box
solutions. In 2015, she implemented

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

an electronic system that took thevoting process from its inception as acommittee that met at the National
Guard Readiness Center in Arlington,
Virginia to a highly sophisticatedsystem. This progressive change hassignificantly improved the compositionand diversity of the selection review
committee. Scholarship evaluators
no longer needed to travel to votescholarship files and were able toremotely complete their reviews at
a time that fit their schedule. By
2020, the scholarship selection pool
was comprised of a diverse group of
141 evaluators that represented theBOG, NEB, chapter officers, Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots Association, spouses,
and AAAA members.
Impressive Growth
The past seven years has been a periodof impressive growth. In this relatively
short period of time, Sue has overseen
the processing of 4,140 applications,comprising 1,765 freshmen, 1,941
underclassmen, and 434 graduate
students. More than 2,300 scholarships
were granted to these applicants during
this timeframe totaling $3,788,250.
As the applicant pool increased, so did
the funding requirements. Individuals,
Chapters, industry partners, and heritage
associations have risen to the occasion!
- Perpetual Grants and Perpetual
Chapter Matching Funds have increased from 44 scholarships totaling$94,500 in 2013 to 74 scholarships
totaling $145,500 in 2020. Perpetual

56

Joanne Hansrote

scholarships are those that are “Permanently Restricted” grants that are endowed by or on behalf of individuals,
living or deceased or institutional entities and awarded in perpetuity according
to the wishes of the donor/proponent,
consistent with Foundation policy. Eachof the perpetual scholarships receives
a pro-rata share of Foundation investment earnings.
- Matching Funds Scholarships from
corporations, heritage associations
and individuals expanded from 45
scholarships totaling $63,250 in 2013
to 68 scholarships totaling $113,500.
Matching scholarships are matcheddollar for dollar up to specified limits ona tiered basis based on gross earnings,
chapter size, donation, etc. (SeeScholarship Policies and Procedureson quad-a.org under the donate tab for
additional details.)- Chapter Scholarships, the largest
single funding category, have risen
from $214,000 in 2013 to $255,000 in
2020.
As Sue transitions to retirement, wehave welcomed Joanne Hansrote to
the SFI as our new Program Manager.
Joanne has seamlessly transitioned to
the SFI team in recent months and
we are well positioned to continue ourstellar support to our deserving AAAA
members and their families.
COL (Ret.) Louis Bonham
President
AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

November 30, 2020

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 from October
2019 through October 2020. The list includes donations received for all scholarships, as well as the General Fund which provides funding to enable the chapter,
corporate, heritage and individual matching fund programs as well as national grants and loans. Donors marked with an * are partially or totally donating to the newly
established Families of the Fallen Scholarship. Every penny donated to the Scholarship Foundation goes directly to a grant or loan as a result of the Army
Aviation Association of America subsidizing ALL administrative costs!

114th Aviation Company Association
7/17 Air Cav Association
AAAA Air Assault Chapter
AAAA Aloha Chapter
AAAA Arizona Chapter
AAAA ASE Speakers
AAAA Aviation Center Chapter
AAAA Badger Chapter
AAAA Central Florida Chapter
AAAA Colonial Virginia Chapter
AAAA Connecticut Chapter
AAAA Corpus Christi Chapter
AAAA Cowboy Chapter
AAAA Delaware Valley Chapter
AAAA Flint Hills Chapter
AAAA Gold Standard Chapter
AAAA Idaho Snake River Chapter
AAAA Iron Mike Chapter
AAAA Jack H. Dibrell/Alamo Chapter
AAAA Keystone Chapter
AAAA Lindbergh Chapter
AAAA Luther Jones Speakers
AAAA MacArthur Chapter
AAAA Mid-Atlantic Chapter
AAAA Minuteman Chapter
AAAA Mount Rainier Chapter
AAAA North Star Chapter
AAAA North Texas Chapter
AAAA Old Tucson Chapter
AAAA Phantom Corp Chapter
AAAA Rio Grande Chapter
AAAA Southern California Chapter
AAAA Tarheel Chapter
AAAA Thunder Mountain Chapter
AAAA Thunderbird Chapter
AAAA Volunteer Chapter
AAAA Washington-Potomac Chapter
AAAA Wright Brothers Chapter
AAAA Zia Chapter
Sidney W. Achee
Airbus Group Inc.
All In Federal Credit Union
Amazon Smile
American Airlines
Army Otter Caribou Association
BAE
Bell Textron
BoeingBoeing-Team ApacheJohn S. Bolton - IHO CSM Isaac B. Sheffield

Louis Bonham, Bonham Technologies
Terry William Branham - IHO Families of
the Fallen
Jacob Adam Brewster
SSG James L. Brown
John D. Burke - IHO COL Joseph A.
Hoecherl
Cynthia S. Campbell
MAJ Ernie Carlson
Reyes Cortes - IHO Carmen Cortes
Cyalume Technologies, Inc.
David Danvers
Edward DeFreitas - IHO SGT James L.
WielerDigiflight Inc - Stanford Oliver
Jay Dirnberger - IHO Janis Arena
Jay Dirnberger - IHO CPT Ricard Rees-Y’s
Men of Westport & Weston
Donald Munsch, Munsch & Co.
Aeromechanics
Donaldson Company
Dustoff Association
Eagle 6 Technical Services, LLC
LTC Joe Emerson, Ret.
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Erickson Incorporated
Fechheimer Brothers Company
Donald Fetzer, Van Note-Harvey Associates- IHO LTC Thomas F. McNamara
Garvin George
Paul & Rhonda Gierow - IHO Morgan 		
KurowskyLeslie H. Gilbert, Cub Club
Giving Tuesday Donors
Lucy Goeke - IHO LTC Thomas F.
McNamara
Thomas & Jane Graft
William B. Grubbs - IHO John K. Jolly
Thomas M. Harrison
Daphne Brashear Herron - IHO Billy
BrashearJohn Hickman - IHO Phil Hickman
Gerald Hipp - IHO Colleen Hipp
Scott Hoffinger - IHO Families of the Fallen
David Hoffman
Tharon Honeycutt - MSB Analytics, Inc
Tom Huff - IHO COL Joseph A. Hoecherl
Jack A. James - IHO T/SGT Karl P.
Danckwerth Sr.
Arlo & Mary Rose Janssen

Cheryl E. Jensen
Robert H. Johnson III
Johnson & Johnson - IHO 1LT Kathryn
Bailey
COL Larry M. Jonas, Ret.
K-Con, Inc.
Diane M. Kennedy
MG Richard D. Kenyon, Ret
Richard D. Kenyon
Walter J. Kohls
James Krueger
Jessica Bailey Lallier - IHO 1LT Kathryn
BaileyJoe Lawver - IHO LTC Thomas McNamara
Alyssa Lemanski - IHO LTC Thomas F.
McNamara
Lockheed Martin
Timothy Lunger
Robert H (Chip) and Angela Lunn - IHO
Christopher & Bill Gavora
Jodi Lynch
Michelle K. Madden - IHO Donald Harry
Enselek
Carolyn Maloney, Chenega Defense andAerospace Solutions
Lewis & Betty McConnell
John W. McElveen
Bonnie & Gary Nenninger
Northrop Grumman
Sylvia T. Noyes - IHO Thomas & Ann
McNamara
Larry V. Obert - IHO Donald Harry Enselek
Dr. David M. O’Brien Jr.
MG Rudy Ostovich, Ret.
Johnny Overton HS Alumni
Diane Pascale
Patriot Taxiway Industries Inc
Peduzzi Associates LTD
Phantom Products Inc.
SFC Andrew G. Pokelwaldt - IHO of
Military Families
Potomac Knights Chapter of the 114th
Marc Rassler
Terry & Bonnie Reininger - IHO
Christopher & Bill Gavora
Marilyn Rickmeyer
Roberson Giving Fund - Keith Roberson
Robertson Fuel Systems - IHO Christopher& Bill Gavora
CW4 Joseph Rosamond - IHO Creek Fire

Rescues
Safran Electronics & Defense, Avionics
USA
Edwin W. Schmierer III - IHO Thomas &Ann McNamara
Scott Kubica
Shashy Family Charitable FundJohn F. Sheard
William and Mary Shelt - IHO Families of
the Fallen
Kenneth Shields
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation-Eric Kraemer
Thomas G. Smith
CPT Barry Speare, Ret.
StandardAero
MAJ Benjamin Stork
Walter C. Studdard - IHO Colleen Hipp
System Studies & Simulation, Inc
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association of
FloridaVietnam Veterans of the 227th Assault
Helicopter Battalion
Robert Weaver Welsh - IHO William
Reeder Jr.
Nolan Wesley - IHO Families of the Fallen
Beverly A. Williamson - IHO MAJ Thomas
Meredith Duckworth
Chrysta Wilson - CREA
Wreaths Across America Sponsors
COL Michelle Yarborough, Ret. – IHO MAJ
William “Pete” Stormer, Ret.
COL Michelle Yarborough, Ret. – IHO MSG
Raymond Yarborough, Ret.
John & Mary York - IHO LTC Thomas F.
McNamara
Lisa R. Young - IHO Morgan Rae Kurowsky
YPO Fairchester Chapter
Yulista Holding, LLC
The Zieff Family FundIHO – In Honor Of
For more information about the Foundationor to make a contribution, go online
to www.quad-a.org; contributions canalso be mailed to
AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc.,
593 Main Street, Monroe, CT
06468-2806.

Save the Dates!
16th Luther G. Jones
Army Aviation
Depot Forum
February 9-10, 2021
Solomon Ortiz Center, Corpus Christi, TX

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

57

November 30, 2020

AAAA

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

I greatly appreciate the support from LTC John McElveen, the Jimmy Doolittle Chapter President for authoring and sharing thisinformation with our membership.

The Jimmy Doolittle ChapterT

he Jimmy Doolittle (JD) Chapter serves the stateof South Carolina, consisting of Active Duty, South
Carolina Army National Guard, Industry and Community
partners.
The majority of the units supportedby the Chapter are those in the South
Carolina Army National Guard andassigned to 59th Aviation Troop
Command and its subordinate units,1-151stAttackReconnaissanceBattalion, 2-151st Security/Support
Aviation Battalion, and 351st Aviation
Support Battalion. The Chapter
also supports Army Aviation Flight
Facilities in the state located inColumbia and Greenville respectfully
and two active-duty bases, Ft.
Jackson and Shaw AFB. Membershiphistorically in the JD Chapter has
hovered around 200 members.
James “Jimmy” Doolittle wasa pioneer in Aviation known for
countless contributions to the field.
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl
Harbor, Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle led
a daring raid over the skies of Tokyo
that dealt the first blows to Japan’s
mainland. The Doolittle Raiders,
as they became known, trained forthe daring raid over Tokyo in South
Carolina and would often visit the area
for reunions later in their life. With
the blessing of the surviving members,
the Jimmy Doolittle AAAA Chapter
continues to carry his name.
Provide Vision to Chapter
Members
The Chapter’s mission is to provide
meaningful support to South Carolina
Army Aviation Soldiers and their
Families by creating an environmentthat fosters interdependent growth anda platform to share ideas, experiences,and innovations. Safeguarding andcreating history while ensuring the
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

local Chapter has a voice. Their vision
is to have a robust unified presencein Army Aviation built throughcomaraderie and deep relationshipsthat bolsters their role in America’s
interest and way of life.
Get the Word Out
The JD Chapter, like most Chapters,
has not had much of a social media
presence; they recognize in today’s
digitally connected world, social media
platforms like Facebook can be one of
the most efficient and effective ways
to reach current, past, and potential
members while staying connected andcommunicating the Chapter’s message.
The Jimmy Doolittle Chapter now
hosts a Facebook page that has enabled
the Chapter to communicate with theirmembers, friends, and families moreso than ever before without physically
being together. Through posts, pictures,and shares, they are now able to bring
their Aviation history directly to theircurrent and potential members within
their community.
Build Community Partners
The JD Chapter has a new partner
helping them reimagine their history
while connecting with the Chapter’snamesake. The South Carolina Historic
Aviation Foundation (SCHAF) was
formed to preserve South Carolina’svaluable contributions to Aviation.
Their members are currently restoringan original B-25 that crashed in 1944
in Lake Greenville, SC. The airplane saton the bottom of the lake for 39 years
before being brought to the surface. The
aircraft was used to train the Doolittle
58

Raiders in South Carolina and now
provides Chapter members with a
new appreciation of their Chapter’snamesake. The foundation acquired theaircraft just nine years ago and worked
hard to bring the warplane back to life.
Located at Hamilton-Owens Airport,
in Columbia, SC, the Chapter is happy
to be partners with SCHAF andthey look forward to building a great
relationship going forward.
Future Plans
The JD Chapter has plans to
conduct several events and meetings
over the next year. They are currently
planning a Golf Tournament, Bowling
Tournament, 5K Run, and more. The
Chapter is excited about bringing theAviation community together while
growing their membership base. Theircore belief is that these events andconnections will grow the Chapter,
which will lead to their ability to help
their Soldiers and their families moreso than ever.
Summary
The Jimmy Doolittle Chapter
maintains a name that is rich in history.
They plan to become a Super Chapter
in the coming years. We look forward
to helping them grow their Chapter.
Feel free to contact me if you need help
for your Chapter, Executive Board support, would like your Chapter featured
in the AAAA magazine or to obtainclarification of National procedures.
LTC (Ret.) Jan S. Drabczuk
AAAA VP for Chapter Affairs
jan.drabczuk@quad-a.org.
November 30, 2020

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

CHAPTER PHOTO BY CW5 SAM BAKER

ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL
and OUR LADY OF
LORETO INDUCTEES

Want to change your AAA A
Chapter Affiliation ?
No Problem !
Call 203-268-2450
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

CPT (P) Justin L. Stewart and DAC Jason
A. Gerstner, research pilots assigned to
the U.S. Army Aviation Research Laboratory(USAARL) at Ft. Rucker, AL, are inducted into
the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michaelby USAARL commander, COL Mark K.
McPherson during a ceremony on July 16,
2020 at USAARL. Both were recognized fortheir sustained contributions to Army Aviation
with Stewart taking command and Gerstnercontinuing his work as a research pilot.

CSM (Ret.) George W. Evans is inducted
into the Bronze Honorable Order of St.
Michael by COL Marcus A. Gengler. Directorof the Aviation Enablers-Requirements
Division, Army Futures Command, during a59

CW5 Bill Barfknecht poses with (l tor) daughters Morgan, Jamie, and wife
Lisa, following his induction into the Silver
Honorable Order of St. Michael during a
ceremony on Sept. 24, 2020 at Joint Base
Langley-Eustis, VA. He was recognized byhis battalion commander, LTC Clif Causey,
for 31 years of Aviation service, 8,000 flight
hours, 2,800 combat hours, including aDistinguished Flying Cross from his actions
in Iraq, an Air Medal with Valor device fromAfghanistan, and serving as project lead on
two multimillion dollar aircraft platforms.

Save theDates!
CHAPTER PHOTO BY CW3 MICHAEL F. MONAGHAN, RETIREDCHAPTER PHOTO BY CW5 SAM BAKER

Ms. Ann Nollett, chief of the Military
Personnel Division, U.S. Army Aviation Centerof Excellence, is inducted as a Knight of the
Honorable Order of St. Michael, by USAACE
Chief of Staff, COL Chad Chasteen, during a
Sept. 3, 2020 ceremony at Ft. Rucker, AL.
Nollett was recognized for over a decade ofservice to the aviation community, enterpriseand family working for the branch at Human
Resources Command and USAACE G1.
She will serve as the Director of Human
Resources at Ft. Bragg, NC.

Colonial Virginia Chapter

CHAPTER PHOTO BY CW5 SAM BAKER

CW3 Michael D. Sirmans, air traffic
and airspace management technician
for 1-58th Avn. Regt., is inducted into theBronze Honorable Order of St. Michael by
battalion commander, LTC Keith Haskin,during an Aug. 6, 2020 ceremony at Fort
Rucker, AL. Sirmans was recognized on theoccasion of his PCS to Camp Humphreys,
Korea for his service to Army Aviation as a
15Q, Air Traffic Controller since 2003 andmost recently in support of the battalion’s
9-month deployment to the Horn of Africa
as the senior air traffic controller andstandardization officer.

LTC Greg Gabel (2nd from right), commanderof 1st Bn., 212th Avn. Regt., 110th Avn.
Bde. inducts (left to right) CW3 Barry L.
Mathias, CW4 Michael Hutka and CW5Jonathan Miller into the Bronze Honorable
Order of St. Michael July 31, 2020 at the
1-212 Avn. headquarters, Lowes Army
Heliport, Ft. Rucker, AL. Each was recognized
for their sustained service to Army Aviationas UH-60 Black Hawk instructor pilots andstandardization officers as they continue
training aviators at the U.S. Army Aviation
Center of Excellence.

CHAPTER PHOTO BY SAM PUENTES

CHAPTER PHOTO BY SPC ANASTASIYA MATHIS

Aviation Center Chapter

ceremony on Sept. 25, 2020 at Ft. Rucker,
AL. Evans was recognized for his outstanding
support while serving as the aviation user
representative for Aircraft Mission Command
and Networks Division, and ensuring
operational architecture requirements aredeveloped to meet user needs. He wasinstrumental in the development of thestrategy to modernize and digitize Aviation
Flight records operations and maintenanceand key to the development of the Centralized
Aviation Flight Records System (CAFRS).

April 21-23, 2021
Nashville, TN

2021HSUMMITARMY AVIATION MISSION SOLUTIONS SUMMIT

Gaylord Opryland Hotel &Convention Center
Sponsored by AAAA
#21SUMMIT

November 30, 2020

AAAA

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

The Membership CornerI’m sure you’ve heard the sayingthat mighty things can come in small
packages. There is no one that thissaying applies to more than 1SG Holly
Cano. While she might be short instature, her personality, determination,and can-do attitude are larger than life.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

PERSONAL PHOTO CW2 CESAR CANO

Holly grew up in Northeast Ohio in the city of Elyria,
which is about 20 miles west of Cleveland. While she did nothave a strong family influence to join the Army, she knew she
wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself.
Her original plan was to work in the medical field.
However, becoming a medic was not available to her at
the time, so Holly signed up to be an Aviation Operations
Specialist (15P). After attending Basic Combat Training at
Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Advanced Individual Training
at Fort Rucker, AL, Holly’s first duty assignment wasCamp Humphreys, Korea, where she was a base operations
dispatcher at the airfield. After Korea, Holly went to Fort
Campbell, KY, where she would spend the next 15 years as amember of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment(Airborne). During her time there she moved between
HHC Regiment, the Special Operations Aviation Training
Battalion (SOATB), and 2/160th SOAR (ABN). Holly held
positions as an Aviation Operations NCO, Flight Operations
NCOIC, Training NCOIC, Regiment S3 NCOIC, and the2/160th S3 NCOIC. For the past year, Holly has served as
the First Sergeant for Foxtrot Company 1-222D Aviation
Regiment, an Advanced Individual Training Company, in
Fort Eustis, Virginia. Her Company is responsible for the
MOS specialties of 15U (CH-47 Helicopter Repairer) and15H (Helicopter Hydraulics Specialist).
Holly is also part of a dual military family. Her husband,
CW2 Cesar Cano is a technical Warrant Officer (151A),
and they have three children, Abigayle (15), Aiden (11), andAshton (9). The kids are all avid baseball/softball players, sothey spend most of their free time at the ball diamonds or at
Nashville Predators hockey games.
The most difficult time for Holly over the last 18 years waswhen she was trying to come off a permanent profile. She
spent 7 years on a no-run profile and had hip surgery. At thispoint in her career she was getting looked at for E-7. Fivemonths after the hip surgery, Holly started doing things to
help strengthen the muscular imbalances to attempt runningagain. It took almost a year of diagnostic APFTs to convince
the medial team to remove her profile. Now she is competingrecreationally in fitness events and is running again! She says

1SG Cano participates in the “Murph” memorial workout at Ft. Eustis.

that while she might not be the fastest runner, the fact that
she is running again is a win! Holly said that if it wasn’t for
her leadership at that time believing in her and pushing her,
she would still have a profile and wouldn’t be where she istoday. And for that, she will always be truly thankful. Holly
would like to thank some individuals that have had a direct
impact on her. CSM Jim Etheridge is her longest mentor. He
has always given her constant advice, even when she did notwant to hear it. Also, her leadership during that difficult timetransitioning off her profile were CSM Billy Webb and CSM
Julio David.
Holly’s advice on finding mentors is to seek out those thatmake you better, whether it be as a person, physically, and/or
professionally. “They are out there and if you find the rightone(s), you are truly blessed; I know I am.”Why do you believe it is important to join a professionalorganization such as AAAA? “I believe it is important to bea part of a team. Being a good teammate is the best thing you
can do for any organization. That is how we get stuff done.
That is what AAAA is, It’s a big team working together tomake Army Aviation better.”
CW4 Becki Chambers
AAAA Vice President for Membership
60

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NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u
New AAAA Life
Members

SSG Joshua Gordon
Connecticut Chapter
John Boscia
Aviation Center Chapter
Steve Maturo
LTC Donald Kirk
Russ RichterBlack Knights Chapter
Corpus Christi Chapter
MAJ Ronald Braasch
Robert Price
Colonial Virginia Chapter
Embry Riddle Eagle Chapter
MAJ Joe A. Leming, Ret.
PFC Jeffrey Powell
Delaware Valley Chapter
Flint Hills Chapter
CW4 Greg Fleming
Steven Williams
Greater Atlanta Chapter
Flying Gator Chapter
David G. Hofstetter
PV2 Karleigh Tiller
Griffin Chapter
Gold Standard Chapter
MAJ Ross Ridge
MAJ John Flanagan
High Desert Chapter
Great Lakes Chapter
CSM Devon M. Weber
PVT Jonathan Tyler Tysen
Idaho Snake River Chapter
Greater Atlanta Chapter
CSM Robert Jenkins
SSG Cody Mccormick
1LT John T. Martz
Grizzly Chapter
Iron Mike Chapter
SGT Lucas Kniep
COL Matthew R. Weinshel
Matt O'Brien
Jack H. Dibrell/Alamo Chapter
Idaho Snake River Chapter
LTC David L. Sheets, Ret.
1LT John T. Martz
Keystone Chapter
Jimmy Doolittle Chapter
CW4 Bryan Young
SFC Brian Richards
Land of Lincoln Chapter
LTC Robert Spafford
CPT Thomas E. Nollner, Ret.
MSG Marc Steele
Mount Rainier Chapter
Keystone Chapter
LTC Kenneth J. Himmelrick, Ret.
SPC Michael S. Grampp
Northern Lights Chapter
Paige Koser
William Keller
SSG Joshua Patsey
Savannah Chapter
Erik Sandbakken
CW4 Richard Caetano
Lindbergh Chapter
Tennessee Valley Chapter
PV2 Jacob Logan Cathers
Michael J. Hall
MacArthur Chapter
Voodoo Chapter
Fredric Robins
CW4 Stephen Maldonado
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Washington-Potomac Chapter
CW4 Jeremy Williams
COL Joseph A. Durso, Ret.
Calm Chapter
New AAAA Members Morning
1SG Ryan K. Caudill
Air Assault Chapter
SSG Neil Gscheidle
SSG Robert Smith
CPT Kyle Kilroy
Arizona Chapter
CW3 Christopher Perkins
A1C James Walter Olinda
SSG Brian Proenneke
Aviation Center Chapter
Mount Rainier Chapter
COL Jason Caldwell
PV2 Justin Tyler Biddle
PVT Matthew Shay Congdon
SSG Dallen VanceWO1 Earl Echevarria
Narragansett Bay Chapter
SGM Morgan Evans
PVT Benjamin Michael Sonnenburg
WO1 Ian Fajardo
PV2 David Acton Williams
CPT Bryce Greenwood
North Star Chapter
1SG Eric Kahle
SFC Christopher J. Dordal
CPT Jair Mayorga
LTC Dan OMeara
SSG Jeffrey Tobin
CSM Todd Sudheimer
Badger Chapter
North Texas Chapter
SPC Jason Kevon JamesPVT Sean Mitchell WeissPFC Daniel Ronal Wilewski
Northern Lights Chapter
Battle Born Chapter
Catherine Moore
PFC Jameson Patrick Gates
Oregon Trail Chapter
CPT Daphne PiperPFC Simon Henry Linnebach
PVT Cody Quint
MAJ Dan Quinlan
CW3 Sylvester P. Wilson
1LT Nolan S. Rader
Bavarian Chapter
BG Michael E. Stencel
Khristin Lee
Phantom Corps Chapter
Cedar Rapids Chapter
SFC Jason LeValley
CW4 Cory Crain
Pikes Peak Chapter
Central Florida Chapter
CW2 Timothy Glass
CW4 Martin Baynes
1SG Desiree Lynne KaminskiThomas Dannenhoffer
SFC Vlademir Yazzie
PV2 Luis N. Echemendia Ramon
Prairie Soldier Chapter
PV2 Riley Scott WhitePV2 Eli James Stubblefield
Colonial Virginia Chapter
Rio Grande Chapter
CW4 Jeremiah C. Bradley
Adalberto Rodriguez
SSG Stephanie Fulir
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

61

SFC Brett Erick Weaver
Savannah Chapter
SSG Ricardo J. Martinez
CW2 Mark A. Rhoads
COL Byron Risner
ShowMe Chapter
SPC Terry Jarboe
CW4 Aaron Kellner
Jeff Paulic
PV2 Hunter G. Van Drunen
Southern California Chapter
PV2 Mason Ryan Lesperance
Stonewall Jackson Chapter
WO1 Alexander Adkins
Tarheel Chapter
Shawn Herrmann
Tennessee Valley Chapter
Dakota Millsap
Rhonda Sutton
Steve Willard
Thunderbird Chapter
CW3 Daniel De La Cruz
Utah Chapter
PVT Roy James Epling
MAJ Robert Heightman
1SG Michael Steven Holm
SPC Jordan Powell
Alberto Javier Sandoval
Volunteer Chapter
Christine Johnson
Ben Skipper
Voodoo Chapter
PFC Harri N. Tran
Washington-Potomac Chapter
Quentin AVEROUS
PV2 Andrew Lee Knapp
Bronte Montgomery
CPT Benjamin Parrish
Winged Warriors Chapter
SFC Nelson Arismendy Abreu Jr.
CPT Gabriel W. Beck
SGM Festus F. Dokyi
CPT Jose F. Elizabeth
2LT Pahola Gonzalez
MAJ Jose A. Haro
LTC Jeehun M. Kim
COL John D. Litchfield
LTC Raul M. Medrano
CPT Jade Messam
SGT Charles Messer
LTC James R. Ritch
LTC Peter A. Thayer
2LT Jason David Toguchi
Wright Brothers Chapter
Mark Gruber
PFC Cassidy Ann Loughman
Nate Schuster
Alex Trouten

No Chapter Affiliation
Anish Anthony
CW4 Jeffrey Bledsoe
SPC Gabrielle Davidson
Michael Duvall
Ken Jackson
1LT Kenneth Rau
Michael Reynolds
Lisa Thornhill
PV2 Liam Vantonder

Lost AAAA
Members

Help AAAA locate a lost member fromthis list and receive a FREE one monthextension to your AAAA membership.
CPT Robert S. Boham
Walter D. Bowden
Harold V. Bowie Jr.
COL Fred E. Brown, Ret.
LTC Jeffery D. Brown
Rickey J. Brown
MAJ James E. Bruckart
E. W. Cavanaugh
LTC Richard G. Cercone Jr.
LTC Tzu-Shan Chang
COL James A. Coar, Ret.
MAJ Harry L. Connors Jr. Ret.
Bruno Cussigh
SGT Travis Bonham Darnell
2LT Arthur W. Galloway
William H. Gillispie
Michael F. Glass
MAJ Gregory W. Glover
LTC William T. GoforthMary H. Gorman
COL Gerhard Granz, Ret.
Stan Hawk
COL Jose L. Hinojosa, Ret.
Dave Hudson
CW4 Delbert Jackson, Ret.
LTC Randy K. Jackson
Allen E. JantsCW3 Jeffrey J. Jelonek
MAJ Gregory R. Jenkins
MAJ David A. Jobe
LTC Peter D. Kowal
CW3 Vladimir Kultschizky
CW3 Timothy J. Larz
MSG David W. Little, Ret.
SPC Robert W. Miller
CSM Vernie Nance, Ret.
MAJ Darrel B. Nerove
Fred A. Newcomb
SFC Henry R. Rathbone, Ret.
Tony Sanchez
LTC Martin Scheld
Thomas R. Schiltz
LTC Jerry D. Scott
LTC Jay Q. Smith
MAJ James F. Speelman
LTC Friedrich Stern
Jean K. Tinsley
WO1 Armando B. Torres

DONATE TODAY!

Education transforms lives
and society. Support the Army
Aviation Soldier and families
by participating in the AAAA
Scholarship Foundation. Invest
in the next generation of leaders.

quad-a.org/Scholarship
November 30, 2020

AAAA

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

Sharing the Gratitude for 2020
AAAA Scholarships

T

Aurora Trani (Joseph P. Cribbins Memorial
Scholarship)
This generous scholarship is helping me cross the biggest
barrier between me and attending college, and I am endlessly
grateful. I appreciate AAAA and the work and time invested inhelping students like me move on to the next stage of life withfewer limitations. After reading about the accomplishmentsof Mr. Joseph P. Cribbins and his unparalleled dedication toorganizing the Army Aviation logistics personally, I felt thatas a recipient of his memorial scholarship it is my job to go
into the next four years of school with the kind of dedicationand devotion he exemplified.

his year AAAA awarded 313
Scholarships totaling $537,000
to deserving students, spouses,
and Soldiers. Many showed theirappreciation with thank you notes, andI want to share some excerpts froma few who captured the essence andgratitude of all for these awards, AAAA,
and military life as well.

Harriett H. Marshall for Rebecca Dillon(Otter-Caribou Heritage Scholarship)
My husband, David, would have been so very happy toknow that one of our grandchildren was honored in this way.
It is wonderful that you all are carrying on such good workfor the children and grandchildren of those who served. May
God richly bless you all.

Lorie A. Hanna (Lawrence ‘Larry’ D. Bell
Memorial Scholarship)
My husband is celebrating 20 years of service in the TX
Army Aviation National Guard. Other than motherhood,
being a military spouse has been the greatest honor of mylife. I have met true patriots, selfless heroes, and phenomenal
human beings throughout our military experience. We haveendured the tragedies of war and the hidden beauty that lies
within the hardships. We began my husband’s first days offlight school at Fort Rucker, AL, and met fellow servicemen
and women who left a lasting impression in our lives.
AAAA is more than a professional organization; it is anextension of our military family, helping to cross our paths
with one another and reminding us that we are not alone
in this mission. Lorie shared that years ago they attended
an AAAA sponsored Christmas event near Dallas whichallowed them to emotionally greet Chaplain Sonny andMartha (now deceased) Moore’s daughter. The Moore family“showered us with love and support as we entered Armylife. Miss Martha battled cancer and through her journey I
learned the indescribable role of a military spouse, mother,sister, and friend. 'Military Family' took on new meaning.”
I am not sure what our future holds, but the memories, thelegacy, and the stories that my husband helped to create is
priceless, and I am thankful to be a part of it.
We continually seek opportunities for our five children
to participate in opportunities that help to recognize theircontribution to serving our nation as military kids. It is awonderful feeling to be recognized for my service as well insupporting my Soldier and receiving this honor to help me
continue my education and professional career in education.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Walter Harper (Air Assault Chapter Ted
Crozier Scholarship)
As a child of an Army Aviator, I cannot truly express how muchit means to have such an amazing community of people and organizations, like AAAA, that provide us with relentless support.
Thank you for this generous gift and fantastic opportunity.
Major Brian J. Haley (WashingtonPotomac Chapter Scholarship)
The scholarship was an absolute blessing during a difficult
time for me and my family. I was planning on taking thesemester off until the award letter arrived as we were not going
to be able to make it work financially. I will be forever gratefulto AAAA for their help in completing my graduate degree!
Hannah M. Massar (Don Munsch-Jimmy
Doolittle Chapter Scholarship)
As I begin my senior year at the University of South
Carolina…I am especially thankful looking back upon thecontinuing support of everyone at AAAA over the last
four years…as a recipient of this specific award on multiple
occasions. The exceptional generosity of this fine organization
has made a significant impact during my academic career, andI will forever be grateful.
Judy Konitzer is the family forum editor for ARMY AVIATION;
questions and suggestions can be directed to her at judy@quad-a.org.

62

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NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

AAAA Awards

Spotlight u Army Aviation News

Army Aviation Heritage Foundation &Flying Museum

Order of St. Michael Inductees
CSM Bernard Brooks Jr.
COL Lee D. Hyder
1SG Eric D. Kahle
CW4 Joe D. Osborne Jr.
CW5 Larry W. Peterson
CW5 Shawn P. Robinson
CW5 Jeffrey D. Starritt
CW5 Blaine A. Tirendi
CW5 Frank G. Volpe

BronzeCW3 Daniel Borisov
CW4 Richard J.Caetano
CW3 Jacob D. DaMatteo
SFC Catlin Danick
CW2 Robert Duncan
LTC Matthew P. Fix
SFC Jeffrey Haynes
MSG Devon John
MAJ Brandon J. Looney
SSG Vincent P. Marketta
CW4 Karl H. Metz
CW5 Heath Mitchell
CW4 Matthew P. Murphy
CW5 Charles Ott
CPT Brad Pearson
MAJ Nathan E. Ribelin
CPT Allen M. Sewell
SGT Tyler M. Shelton

Our Ladyof Loreto
Inductees
Janice Braman
Jeni Fix
Joni (Dauenhauer) Melland
Mrs. Kathryn Rigdon

KnightInductees
CPT Casey Moore
CW4 Brandon S. Morris
CW4 Donald J. WhiteARMY AVIATION Magazine

AAHF&FM COURTESY PHOTO

Silver

AAHF events help to ensure the legacy lives on.

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum (Foundation)(AAHF) was founded in 1997 when a small group of patriotic citizens, manyof whom were veterans, came together with the intent to take the story ofArmy Aviation to the public and to commemorate the service of our nation’sveterans and their role in the growth and success of Army Aviation.
Now in their 24th year, the AAHF, as a flying museum, has grown in flyable fleet size
over the years and they currently operate the UH-1 Huey, AH-1 Cobra, OH-58 Kiowa,
and O-1 Bird Dog aircraft. The aircraft are restored to original Army specifications andmaintained to operational and safety standards in accordance with FAA regulations. The
fleet is maintained and operated by veterans and their families, civilian supporters, andonly a few employees. Operating the largest concentration of flyable legacy Army Aviation
aircraft in the nation, and the only organization authorized to provide ride experiences in
the Cobra, the Foundation takes the Army Aviation story to millions of spectators eachyear and has safely flown hundreds of thousands of veterans and civilians. These flying
experiences truly connect the public with veterans, their service, and Army Aviation.
From its original location just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, the Foundation has grown to
include chapters and volunteers in Mesa, Arizona and St. Louis, Missouri. In each location andacross the U.S., they reach out to veterans who are experienced with Army Aviation aircraft tolead a group of volunteers in the restoration, maintenance, and operation of the fleet.
Initially flying only demonstrations for the public, the Foundation later developed theopportunity to provide ride experiences to the public in their Huey and Cobra aircraft under
the FAA’s Living History Flight Experiences program. In addition to these ride experiences
at air shows and the flying demonstrations, the Foundation also provides static displays
for schools and veterans organizations, participates in Science, Technology, Engineering,and Math (STEM) initiatives, offers flyovers for funerals and race events, such as therecent NASCAR race in Atlanta, and even participates in the film industry where history
comes to life in the scenes supported by actual historical aircraft.
Taking the aircraft to the public allows the Foundation to reach out and touch thousandsof hearts and minds each year. For some veterans, the ride experience allows them toreconnect with a piece of their past and to share that with family members. Imagine theconnection of a widow of a Vietnam Veteran KIA and her family experiencing a flight in thefront seat of a Cobra. The AAHF is asking for your help in preserving the Army Aviation heritage
and keeping the story alive for future generations. They are a 501(c)3 charitable organization
with most of their revenue coming from flying operations. Despite their implementationof many cost reduction measures, the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on large
gatherings has had a dramatic effect on their 2020 operations. Visit armyav.org to becomea member/volunteer, purchase AAHF branded merchandise, and/or donate.
Help keep the Army Aviation Heritage story alive for future generations!

63

November 30, 2020

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u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT			AAAA Legislative Report

By LTC Kevin Cochie, Retired
AAAA Representative to the Military Coalition (TMC)
kevin.cochie@quad-a.org
Happy Thanksgiving;
How about some Lame
Duck with the Turkey!

As this month’s AAAA hits your mailbox
around Thanksgiving, much uncertainty
will be the topic of Thanksgiving postPresidential election conversations. At
the time of this writing, the election isstill a couple weeks away so we can only
speculate what uncertainties will result fromthe Presidential and Congressional elections
which will determine who will hold power inthe House of Representatives, Senate andthe White House. Regardless of the outcome,the DoD continues to operate in a Continuing
Resolution (CR) and now faces potential
effects of policy and budget decisions madeduring the “lame duck” session of Congress.
The fact that Congress did not get a budget
passed prior to the end of the fiscal year islame enough, but now the Army Aviation
Enterprise is at the mercy of Congressional
power plays during a period in which
Congressman and Senators that retire or
are defeated are relegated to temporary
offices in the basement of Congress (i.e.,the “lame duck” session). The FY21 NDAA
and Defense Appropriations are on hold until
after the election which means, either thiscurrent Congress gets the legislation doneby early January or they extend negotiations
into the new year and a whole new Congress
determines 2021 legislative decisions.

NDAA 2021

The House and Senate passed theirrespective NDAA versions back in July andboth versions support the authorization of
DoD funding in alignment with Army Aviation
goals. House and Senate staffers haveworked for months to resolve the differencesin the two pieces of legislation and if they
pass the bill by end of year, it will be the60th straight year that the NDAA passed
before the end of a Congressional cycle. The
bad news is this is no routine year, and thepolitical divide has never been worse. The
good news is that the Chairmen of the two
Armed Services Committees, Senator Jim
Inhofe-R and Representative Adam Smith-D

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

are both deeply committed to a successful
passage during their tenures as Chairmen.
Both face challenges from colleagues insideand outside their own parties on funding
levels and force structure levels of the DoD.
As we mentioned, both will have to work
hard to pass the NDAA during a lame ducksession of Congress, post-election powergrabs, and an impending government
shutdown on 12 December when the current
CR is set to expire.

Continuing Resolution
2020

At zero dark thirty on 30 September,President Trump signed into law theContinuing Resolution that averted agovernment shutdown. This CR was signedwith bi-partisan support and effectively
extended government funding through 11
December so the hundreds of politicians
hitting the campaign trail through the 3 Novelection were not damaged or distracted
by the government coming to a complete
halt. The CR is an all too familiar “groundhog day” for the government and the DoD.
Historically, the CR always “sees its shadow”
thus thrusting us into weeks of dreary
concern regarding the stability of fundingthat ultimately impacts our aircrews andmaintainers on the flight line. Why is this theannual groundhog day? Congress has notpassed a budget by the end of the fiscal year
since the 1996-1997 cycle. Between 19982019, Congress passed over 100 Continuing
Resolutions (stop gap budget funding for thegovernment). Each time Congress pumps thebrakes on the budget process, perturbations
snowball through government agencies. In
our case these concerns manifest in the
DoD, through the Army, and all the way down

to the aircrew and mechanics on the flight
line. The funding uncertainty also snowballs
through the industrial base. From OEMs to
suppliers, production and assembly lines are
all impacted by funding uncertainties.

The Way Ahead to 2021

The budget process will be playingout as you read this and as stated, thecurrent CR funds the government through11 December. Despite the uncertainty
surrounding the 2020 election results, weshould maintain optimism that Congress
will pass the annual NDAA and provide forpolicy provisions and funding authorizations
through 2021. It’s unlikely that Congress
will fail for the first time in 60 years topass this piece of legislation by the end of
the year. The real wildcard will be defense
appropriations drives how long we haveto operate under Continuing Resolution.
With post-election uncertainty, a lame
duck Congress, and holiday scheduling,
it is unlikely Congress will get a full year
appropriations funding bill passed by the
11 December deadline thus another CR
is likely which will pass the budget ballto the new Congress in January. Army G3
Aviation Director BG Mac McCurry will havehis hands full trying to mitigate the impacts
to our operational forces. PEO Aviation BG
Rob Barrie and Futures Command Future
Vertical Lift CFT Director BG Wally Rugen
will also be busy stabilizing the CR impacts
to our modernization programs while
our industry partners will be faced withassessing the impacts to their workforces
and the production of our aviation systems.
Next month we will summarize the winners
and losers from the election and potential
impacts to Army Aviation.

UPCOMING EVENTSDECEMBER 2020
12 – The 121st Army-Navy Game, Michie Stadium, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY
JANUARY 2021
20-22 – AAAA Joseph P. Cribbins Training, Equipping and Sustainment Symposium,
Huntsville, AL

64

November 30, 2020

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

VIASAT GRAPHIC

Viasat and AeroVironment
Team to Develop Enhanced
Type 1 Encrypted Commsfor UAS

Viasat Inc., a global communications
company, and AeroVironment, Inc., aglobal unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
manufacturer, announced on Oct. 15, 2020
they will collaborate on a contract awarded
under the U.S. Army Reconfigurable
Communications for Small Unmanned
Systems (RCSUS) initiative. The project will
provide U.S. military customers flying small
UAS platforms the ability to deploy a robust,on-demand, highly-secure communications
network that will address the growing
electronic warfare capabilities of peer andnear-peer adversaries.

with GE Aviation’s T408 engines on Sept.
22, 2020 at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA, amilestone that could expand the capabilities
of future Chinook heavy-lift missions. This
first flight is the culmination of a five-year
effort under a Cooperative Research andDevelopment Agreement (CRADA) between
AvMC, Boeing and GE Aviation to evaluate
the feasibility and benefits of higher-powerengines while assessing and reducing thetechnical risks of integrating advanced
engines in a Chinook aircraft. The project isalso meant to show how the integration of
more powerful engines on the CH-47 Chinook
helicopter supports future cargo helicopter
capability needs and supports the Army
Future Vertical Lift modernization priority.

AVLITE COURTESY PHOTO

Avlite Systems Selected
for Portable Airfield System
UpgradeU.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SSG AUSTIN BERNER, ALABAMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Army Chinook Takes FlightWith GE Aviation T408
EngineThe U.S. Army Combat Capabilities
Development Command Aviation & Missile
Center achieved its first flight of a Chinook

Avlite Systems was selected, via the Special
Operational Equipment (SOE) Tailored Logistics Support (TLS) program, as a key partner
for the rapid delivery of an upgraded Airfield
Lighting System (ALS). The ALS will be delivered to the Florida Army National Guard(FLARNG) in Starke, Florida. The ALS, a component of the AN/MSQ-135 Mobile Tower
System (MOTS), is a variant of Avlite’s High
Mobility Airfield Lighting Systems (HMALS).
HMALS is a fully transportable, autonomous
airfield lighting system ready for rapid deployment, flexible maneuvering, and storage insupport of temporary or long-term operations.

Army Launches Research
Effort to Develop HybridElectric Engines for Aircraft& Vehicles
The Combat
Capabilities
Development
Command
Army Research Laboratory, or ARL, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, awarded
an $11.5 million contract to the Universityof Wisconsin for a research effort to develop
hybrid-electric engines for the Army’s future
aircraft and ground vehicles. Part of the effort,
which will begin this fall, will focus on novel
oil-less bearing technology that could resultin new, lightweight compact electric generators using exhaust waste energy, according
to an ARL news release. UW researchers willdevelop, validate and apply tools that will be
integrated into a comprehensive modular
Hybrid-Electric Optimization and Integration
Tool, which will then be used to configure future Army hybrid-electric air and ground vehicles, said Mike Kweon, program manager for
ARL’s Versatile Tactical Power and Propulsion
Essential Research Program. The research
effort will also help identify new technologies
that could allow the service to use multiple
fuel types for manned and unmanned aircraft.

Upcoming Special Focus
2019 Industry Partners Directory

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December 2020

UH-72A Lakota

Versatile and Proven Capabilities.
Mission Ready.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Advertisers Index
AeroVironment (AV, Inc.)................................ 2
ALKAN....................................................... 39
Angelus Corporation.................................... 16
Avlite Systems............................................ 20
Bombardier................................................ 71
Coastal Seat Cushions, Inc........................... 45
Collins Aerospace Mission Systems................ 7
Columbia Helicopters, Inc............................ 41
Dallas Avionics ........................................... 28
David Clark Company.................................. 17
DynCorp International.................................. 15
Essex Industries.......................................... 12
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc..... 1

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

NETWORK

Jergens Inc................................................. 23
L3 Harris Wescam......................................... 5
Liquid Measurement Systems...................... 31
Lockheed Martin......................................... 72
Phantom Products, Inc................................ 19
Science and Engineering Services, SES, Inc....... 9
SKEDCO, Inc............................................... 37
Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems..... 11
Strata-G Solutions Inc.................................. 21
Summit Aviation Inc..................................... 49
Tyonek....................................................... 13
Viasat......................................................... 25
Yulista Holdings, LLC................................... 29

65

December 31, 2019l

December 31, 2019

1

RECOGNITION

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Industry Support &Challenges
Industry Directory
Science & Technology
Research & Development

SUPPORT

January 31, 2020

January 2021
Aviation Maintenance
Sustainment

Contact:
Bob Lachowski or
Erika Burgess

AAAAindustry@quad-a.org
203. 268.2450
ARMYAVIATIONmagazine.com

November 30, 2020

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN GRAPHIC

Industry News Announcements Related to Army Aviation MattersAAAA

u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT

People On The Move
Transfer of Authority
Task Force Anvil Assumes
USCENTCOM Mission
RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY DAVID CONNORSAwardsNitti Named AUSA Third Region andHuntsville Chapter Civilian of the Year
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT TRAVIS MUELLER

BG Andrew J. Chevalier was promoted
to his current rank on August 14, 2020
at the Rhode Island National Guard Joint
Force Headquarters in Cranston. Pinningon his new rank are his wife, Carol (right),
father, Robert, and his daughter, Melanie(far left partially hidden). He serves as the
Director, Joint Staff and Land Component
Commander for the Rhode Island National
Guard and is the current Narragansett Bay
AAAA Chapter President.

the command teams: (l to r) CSM Sean Livolsi
and COL Howard Lloyd (28th ECAB); COL GregFix and CSM Mitchell Hellkamp (34th ECAB).

The 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, operating as Task Force Anvil, formally
took control of the aviation mission in the U.S.
Central Command region during an October 8,2020 transfer of authority ceremony in Kuwait.
The 28th ECAB is taking over the mission fromthe 34th ECAB who is preparing to return home
after being deployed to the Middle East sincelate-2019. Pictured following the ceremony are

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY TRACI BOUTWELL

Aviation General Officer
Promotions/Assignment

Kris McBride, AUSA third region president,
presents Don Nitti, AMCOM deputy to thecommanding general, with an award during
a Facebook town hall meeting Sept. 24. Nitti
received the Dick Rhodes Huntsville AUSA
Chapter Civilian of the Year Award and also
won at the third region level.

Flight School Graduates

FSXXI Class 20-022 - Sept. 10, 2020

AAAA congratulates the following
officers graduating from Flight
School XXI at the U.S. Army
Aviation Center of Excellence,
Fort Rucker, AL.
49 Officers September 10, 2020
Commissioned Officers
2LT Clinebell, Cody J. - DG
2LT Lynch, Kaela F. * - HG
2LT Balding, Kenneth C. *2LT Canan, Riley A.
2LT Curletta, Graham C. *2LT Dolitsky, Sarah M.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

2LT Eberhardt, Mackenzie J.
2LT Habekost, Benjamin O. *2LT Hughes, John P.
2LT Hunt, Andrew W. *2LT Keithline, Joshua J. *2LT Kline, Reilly A.
1LT Mahle, Samuel A.
2LT Mehanja, Valdeta
2LT Pluhar, Garret J.
2LT Whittaker, Thomas G. *Warrant Officers
CW2 Kray, Jonathan D. * - DG
WO1 Graham, Justin D. - HG
WO1 Magee, Benjamin R. * - HG
WO1 Owen, Kenneth D. - HG

WO1 Spivey, Zacory C. * - HG
WO1 Bilby, Joshua T. *WO1 Blackmon, Christian D.
WO1 Carroll, Alan M. +WO1 Davis, Nicholas A. *WO1 Depaulo, Rachael A.
WO1 Edwards, Reginald C.
WO1 Fiore, Joseph J.
WO1 Gutierrez, German
WO1 Hardy, Hunter R. *WO1 Hastings-Smith, Maya C.
WO1 Houston, Cody L.
WO1 Hunnewell, Amy N.
WO1 Izbicki, Dylan T. *WO1 Krol, Joseph IV *66

WO1 Lawrence, Steven W. *WO1 McKechnie, Michael W.
WO1 McWilliams, Christian S. *WO1 Navarro, PaulWO1 Newkirk, Maro A.
WO1 Puchalsky, John D. *WO1 Reburn, Joseph A. *WO1 Rendahl, Randy B.
WO1 Satcher, Kevin L. *WO1 Smith, Demetrius R.
WO1 Thornell, Brandon J. *-DG: Distinguished Graduate-HG: Honor Graduate* = AAAA Member+ = Life Member

November 30, 2020

ALL PHOTOS U.S. ARMY PHOTO, FORT RUCKER PUBLIC AFFAIRSAAAA provides standard aviator wings to all graduates and sterling silver aviator wings to
the distiguished graduates of each flight class ... another example of AAAA’s SUPPORT
for the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family.

AAAA

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People On The Move
Flight School Graduates

FSXXI Class 20-022 - Sept. 10, 2020

FSXXI Class 20-023 - Sept. 10, 2020

WO1 Tyler, Jeffrey C. *WO1 Wagner, Steven P.
WO1 Wissel, Chad E.
38 Officers September 24, 2020
Commissioned Officers
2LT Smith, Megan G. - DG
2LT Caudill, Joseph V. - HG
2LT Alexopoulos, Joseph C. *CPT Allen, Jacob J.
2LT Barreras, Carlos A.
2LT Cristiano, Ryan M. *2LT Cupit, Anthony M. *ARMY AVIATION Magazine

2LT Fox, Jordan R.
2LT Pedroza, Steven R. *2LT Phelps, Daniel R.
2LT Trenary, Erik H.
Warrant Officers
WO1 Carroll, Andrew S. - DG
WO1 Brooks, Jordan D. - HG
WO1 Driskell, Tucker J. * - HG
WO1 Henry, Dylan M. * - HG
WO1 Martinez, Jesse R. - HG
WO1 Bacus, Robert M.
WO1 Barrett, Stephanie G.
WO1 Bigelow, Cory M. *WO1 Boland, John M.
WO1 Bretana, Raymond C.
WO1 Britten, Joshua S. *WO1 Clark, Matthew G. *WO1 Cutler, Daniel R.
WO1 Erb, Thomas C.
WO1 George, Gordon D. *WO1 Gilpin, Jacob C.
WO1 Hesse, Zachary V.
WO1 Mikkelson, Joshua R.
WO1 Morgan, Stephen R. *WO1 Multani, Kristina
WO1 Peterson, Jeffery S.
67

WO1 Ramsey, Corby T.
WO1 Ricketts, Daniel W. *WO1 Ridings, Harold W., Jr.
WO1 Roszkowski, Adam A. *WO1 Spann, Nathan T.
WO1 Trakel, Jarin S. +-DG: Distinguished Graduate-HG: Honor Graduate* = AAAA Member+ = Life Member

November 30, 2020

ALL PHOTOS U.S. ARMY PHOTO, FORT RUCKER PUBLIC AFFAIRSFSXXI Class 20-023 - Sept. 10, 2020

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People On The Move
Unmanned
Aircraft
Systems (UAS)
Graduations

PV2 Joshua Brewer
PFC Patrick Cho
PV2 John-Michael Cosby
PV2 Dillion Dimery
PV2 Wesley Galloway
PV2 Destiny Morgan
UAS REPAIRER
AAAA congratulates the following SPC Maria Fechristine
Army graduates of the Unmanned PV2 Brianna Wells
Aircraft Systems Repairer Course, Class 029-20
MOS 15E, at Fort Huachuca, AZ. PV2 Jonathan Tysen-DG
PV2 Chance Cook
Shadow UAS Repairer Course PV2 Jacob Grieser
8 Graduates, 17 September
PFC Hong Jun Kim
2020
PV2 Angel Martinez
PVT Justin R. McCarn - HG
PV2 John Matlock
PV2 Aaron J. Wiscott
PV2 James Stewart
PVT John E. Caltrider
PV2 Hunter Thayer
PVT Cutter A. Doerr
PV2 Mitchell Trentcosti
PVT Breana R. Ducey
Class 201-20
PVT Chad W. Hicks
PFC Jeffrey Powell-DG
PVT Raymond A. Van Houten
PVT Nathaniel Cromartie
PVT Eduardo Veloz
PVT Fernando Lepiz, Jr
PV2 Francis Malik, II
UAS Operator
AAAA congratulates the following PV2 Maxwell Mrochinski
Army graduates of the Unmanned PVT Osvaldo Reyes
Aircraft Systems Operator Course, PFC Brandan Sanchez
MOS 15W, at Fort Huachuca, AZ. PVT Christian Smith
PV2 Emmanuel Tanner
Shadow UAS Operator Course Class 031-20
35 Graduates, 24 August 2020
PV2 Karleigh Tiller-DG
PV2 Chase T. Veler - DG
PFC William Borcherding
PV2 Jacob A. M. Mendoza - HG
PV2 Richard Collazotorres
SPC Giovanni Arroyo Reyes
PV2 Charles Daniel
SPC Sean S. Rende
PVT Joseph Fournier
PFC Patrick J. Bousselot
PVT Gregory JonesPFC Daniel Gonzalez
PV2 Devahndre Moore
PFC Jordan D. Holguin
SPC Tyler RainsPFC Dawson J. Vanmanen
PVT Dwight Salmon
PV2 Joseph D. Briseno
SPC Tingting Wang
PV2 Ross A. Buster
PV2 Brian White, Jr.
PV2 Caleb R. L. Cline
Class 032-20
PV2 Christian C. Dewitt
PV2 Cody Quint-DG
PV2 Christopher I. Essien
PV2 Anthony Abato, Jr
PV2 Jason T. Lopez
PV2 Deja Fraser
PV2 Daniel B. Martin
PV2 Brooke Merchant
PV2 Hunter J. Redmon
SGT Jared Young
PV2 Garrett R. Stokum
Class 033-20
PV2 Christian L. Thomas
PVT Leahcim Powell-DG
PV2 Jonathan Tirado
PVT Waldemar Alicemuniz
PV2 Antoine D. Williams Jr
PV2 Terrance Coates
PVT Astrid A. Garciadiaz
PVT Nathaniel Contreras
PVT Maximillian Z. Jin
PVT Austin Gardenier
PVT Kenneth Johnsonsturdivant
PVT Eric Gardner
PVT Gage H. Knowles
PV2 Steven Hogan
PVT Jelani A. H. Lucas
PVT James HosePVT Adam Malpass
PV2 Corey Miller
PVT Dominic J. Mercado
PVT John Rojo
PVT John D. Padgett
PVT Marlon D. Roberts Jr
CH-47 Medium Helicopter
PVT Calitri A. Roebuck
Repairer (15U)
PVT Derrick L. Steele
Class 028-20
PVT Nicholas V. Vang
PFC Daniel Ronald Wilewski-DG
PVT Joshua H. Vining
PV2 Summer Rain Anthony
PVT Brandon J. Wade
PV2 Michael James Bramhall
PVT Dustin D. Wehunt
PV2 Anthony Joseph Caccavale, II
PFC Meagan Ashley CanoAITPV2 Austin Kent Chancellor
GRADUATIONs PV2 Dylan Anthony Colvin
AAAA congratulates the following PV2 Austin Tyler Custer
Army graduates of the indicated PFC Francise Ezequeil Deleon
Advanced Individual Training (AIT) PFC Brendan Andrew Guinncourses at the 128th Aviation Bri- PV2 Caden Riley Hanninggade, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA PFC Kylie Jennifer Martin
and the U.S. Army Aviation Center Class 029-20
PV2 Luis Nolber Echemendiaof Excellence, Ft. Rucker, AL.
Ramon-DG
AH-64 Attack Helicopter
PV2 Brandon Alexander Godwin
Repairer (15R)PFC Kadarius Latrell Grayson
Class 028-20
PV2 Thomas Kurtis Hookjaskowak
PV2 Roy Epling-DG
PV2 Delvin Alonzo Hutson

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

PV2 Quenton Otto Kruse
PV2 Hunter Robert Lake
PV2 Osvaldo Lopez Martinez
PV2 Scott G Morehead
PV2 Timothy Mitchell ReedPFC Joseph Stanley Richardson
Class 205-20
PV2 Jacob Logan Cathers-DG
PV2 Dakota James Edwards
PV2 Ryan Daniel Endrizzi
PV2 Tahric Odane Johnson
PV2 Payton Lee Riffle
PFC Colton Chance RoDGers
PFC Gerardo Rosales Audelo
PV2 Jonathan Darrell Samuels
PV2 Seth Michael Seidle
PV2 Christian Korbin Spears
PFC Jonathon Adrian Tutiven
PV2 Keaton Robert John Wriedt
Class 206-20
PV2 Andrew Lee Knapp-DG
PFC Stephen A. McCord Bowen
PFC Shawn Michael Goodwin
PFC Elix Juarez Gonzalez
SPC Stephone Jerell Leaks
PV2 Salomon E Manriquez
PV2 Oscar Martinez Ramirez
SPC Brian Derrick Odero
PV2 Jonathan Ray Serrano
UH-60 Helicopter Repairer(15T)
Class 061-20
A1C James Walter Olinda-DG
AB Jace Randall Hagedorn
A1C Kaeson Deshawn Lewis
AB Jeremy Stephen Mooney
A1C Kai Matthew Ritter
AB Lucas Alyn Seney
AMN Aryn Jamal Taylor
Class 062-20
SPC Jason Kevon James-DG
SPC Marc Richard Arguello
PFC Austin Reed BanksPFC Dillon John Bouvier
PFC Ebin Alanfletcher Ford
SPC Colton Michael Griffey
PV2 Colton Ray Harp
PV2 Brian Scott Hess, II
PV2 Charles Tanner Lotz
PFC Ezekial Caleb MyersSPC Gary Wayne Oliver, Jr
SPC Kolby James Wetch
Class 063-20
PFC Cassidy Ann Loughman-DG
PV2 Catherine Rose Crumpton
SGT Wolfgang James Jubell
PV2 Juan Jeronimo Morales
PV2 Benjamin Jesse Mowers
PV2 Juan Manuel Pernas
PV2 Austin Thomas Rednour
PV2 Jessie Lamar Simms
PV2 Max Alexander Sundvall
PFC Madeline Zadora Taylor
SPC Jacob Michael WiseClass 064-20
PV2 Justin Tyler Biddle-DG
PV2 Douglas Edward Billings, II
PV2 Tyler Cem Britain
PV2 Caiden Daniel Bullard
PFC Ronnie James Carter
PV2 Luis Castillo, Jr
PFC Nathan Thomas Cowart
PV2 Johnathan David Ellis
PV2 Jason ThachPFC Colin Anthony Walkington
PFC Leif David Weston
Class 065-20
PV2 Mason R. Lesperance-DG
PV2 Natalie Renee Bumm

68

SPC Shannon Marie Cherpak
PFC Noah James Compton
PFC Ivan Contreras
PV2 Matthew Odell Estabrook
PFC Benjamin Joseph Gartlan
PFC Suthin Edward Goloversic
PV2 Jarritt Niklas Grimes
PV2 Diquan Tikey Jones
PV2 Khristopher Allen Krahl
PFC Jackson Scott Lee
Class 066-20
PFC Harri N Tran-DG
PFC Jorge Alexander Alfaro
PV2 Patrick Tierney GreenPV2 Micah Andrew Lemoine
PV2 Brent Emanuel Merritt
PV2 River Jordan Miller
PV2 Daniel Alejandro Nelson
PV2 Jordan Glen Nichols
PFC Robert S Passmore
PV2 Kyle Andrew Reichert
PFC Ryan Shawn Tidwell
PV2 Kyle Blake James WestClass 067-20
PV2 Eli James Stubblefield-DG
PV2 Mason Alexander Bourne
PV2 Ryan Neal Casey
PFC Cheolsu Jeong
PVT Tristan Scott Lindsey
PV2 Ethan James Loeb
PFC Brandon Lawrence Nichols
SPC Mark Stephenlee Poehlein
PV2 Eric J. Rodriguez Garcia
Class 068-20
SPC Michael S. Grampp-DG PFC
Aaron Alan Arps
PV2 Mark C. Mart Claudio
PV2 Dylan Andrew Davis
SPC Miguel A.Del Rosario Ramirez
SPC Albachir Dicko
PV2 Ryan Edward Dowling
PFC Matthew John Dunn
PV2 Conway Steven Garner
PV2 Jacob F Giefer
PV2 Christopher C. Paul Hall
PVT Weslee Zane Turpin
Aircraft Powerplant Repairer(15B)
Class 012-20
PV2 Liam Vantonder-DG
PV2 Jason Alan Anderson
PV2 William Andrew Deese
PV2 Kemy Gilles
PV2 Kyle David Haines
PV2 Nathan Maldonado
PFC Abraham Moore
PV2 Justin Tyler Ottman
PFC Rowan Nguyen Phan
PV2 Donovan Michael Rodela
PV2 Dillan Edward Tenpenny
PVT Xylar Roger Hodge
PFC Mariam Masuddramani
PV2 Kalan J Nelson
Aircraft Powertrain Repairer(15D)
Class 007-20
PVT Benjamin Michael
Sonnenburg-DG
PV2 Carson Robert Brown
PV2 Devin John Bush
PV2 Luke Isaiah Luzader
PV2 James Aaron McCulley
PV2 Carlos Moreno-Mejia
PV2 Justin Shaine YoungPFC Braydon Rylee Coker
PFC Kyle David Ebdrup
PV2 Dominique Elice Garza
PV2 Joel Nathaniel Gilbert
PV2 Marvin Terique Lloyd, III
PFC Tyler Tenun Naruse
SPC Derrick Lamar Woods, Jr
Class 019-20
PV2 David Acton Williams-DG
PV2 Blayke Anthony Axnix
PV2 Matthew Taylor Funk
PV2 Brian Jacob Kraus
PV2 Robert Matthew Lloyd
PV2 Chayce Chyloe Lucca
PV2 Jacob Angel Rios
Aircraft Structural Repairer(15G)
Class 008-20
PVT Matthew Shay Congdon-DG
PVT Jorge Stewart Barrera
PV2 David Linn Bass, II
PVT Jalen Kavon Burns
PFC Kelvin Cabrera
PV2 Andrew Jacobvaldi Cantrell
SPC Michael Brian Cross
PV2 Kaleb David Drennen
PV2 Anthony Aaron JamesPVT David Richard Liebler
PVT Braedon Daniel Monzo
Class 009-20
PV2 Riley Scott White-DG
PV2 Devan Kaige Dozier
SPC Tosin Anthony Oshisanya
PVT Roy Thomas Parish
PV2 Cristian Ramirez-Rodriguez
PVT Edward John Wilson
PVT Tommy Hampton Yeargin, III
SPC Feixiang Zuo
AH-64 Armament/Electrical/
Avionic Systems Repairer(15Y)
Class 015-20
PFC Jameson Gates-DG
PVT Maximiliano Avalossanchez
PV2 Matthew Balmer
PVT Donovan Hill
PVT Larry HuntPFC Ovidio Jacques
PVT Peyton King
PVT Hans London
PVT David Miramontes
PVT Samuel Porter
Class 016-20
PVT Sean Weiss-DG
SPC Steven Clouston
PV2 Dasan Hoggard
PFC Bailey Koch
PV2 Edward Ostavitz, Iv
PVT Dennis Richard
PVT Warren Vineyard
SPC Jarred Walker
PFC Kenneth Waterwest
PVT Isaiah WhiteDH - Distinguished Graduate
HG - Honor Graduate* = AAAA Member+ = Life Member

Aircraft Electrician (15F)Class 018-20
PFC Simon Henrty Linnebach-DG

November 30, 2020

Art’s

Attic

By Mark Albertson

Art’s Attic is a look back each issue at 25 and 50 years ago to see
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“Army Aviation—Continuity
and Change for Force XXI,” byGeneral William W. Herzog withMajor Neville S. Vanderburg.
This article, written as a forecast,is to be read from the perspectivethat knowledge is power. Thatbesides weaponry and training,
up-to-date intelligence as to yourenemy is every bit as pertinent to successas battle itself. The authors reinforced theirarguments with quotes, one of which wasfrom Carl von Clausewitz, from his, On War:
“Knowledge must become capability.” To
read the entire article, refer to pages 6, 8, 10& 12, Army Aviation, November 30, 1995.

Phu Bai, Vietnam
A CH-54 Skycrane, fromthe 101st Airborne Division(Airmobile), hoists a Navy jet
fighter over the Phu Bai aerial
port in northern Military Region
I. A significant aspect of the
101st’s airmobility capability, theSkycrane is utilized, extensively,in aircraft recovery missions, throughout
Military Region I. The pictured action
took place October 16.

November 30, 1995

November 30, 1970

Washington, D.C.
Three of four former “Army Aviator of
the Year” pilots, attending the recent
12th AAAA Annual Meeting in the
Nation’s capital, are pictured
together. From left-to-right:
LTC Emmett F. Knight (’62-’63);
Major Patrick H. Brady (’68-’69)
and Major Marquis Hibert (’63’64). Absent was CW4 Michael J.
Madden (’60-’61).

Lift Study
In 1994, the Army commenced a lift study to identify
the Army’s total lift requirement for the utility and cargohelicopter fleets and to substantiate the basis for developing
new Operational Requirements Documents (ORDs) for both
systems. The above study was concluded in July 1995. The
Army Aviation Warfighting Center’s Directorate for Combat
Developments has been working to refine modernization
strategies for both the cargo and utility fleets. The study is toenhance the lift capabilities of the Black Hawk and Chinook

Fort Worth, Texas
The new model 214 Huey Plus boasts a new 50-foot diameter
main rotor system. Includes swept tip
rotor blades that reduce power in highspeed flight; the absence of the normal
stabilizer bar, and an improved drive
system with a 2,000 hp transmission
and 1,900 shp Lycoming T53 engine.
Bonus: A forty percent boost in
payload lifting capability.
More Than One
The September 1970 claim of Colonel J. Elmore Swenson, Hq
AMC, of being the “sole Army Aviator, now on active duty
who served in combat as an aviator in three wars,” generated
responses: LTC Charles V. Craft, Jr., Springfield, Virginia and
LTC Ralph O. Bennett, Fort Rucker, Alabama, rivalled Colonel
Swenson’s announcement of having served in WWII, Korea
and Vietnam as combat aviators.

AAAA Locator
Ms. Layna Ann McConkey, daughter of Captain Wayne
Allen McConkey, deceased, seeks anyone who knew her
father. Captain McConkey was an L-19 Bird Dog pilot
in Vietnam. Born June 8, 1943, Captain McConkey was
killed when he was shot down on 15 September 1970.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

69

November 30, 2020

Army Aviation

Hall of Fame
Chief Warrant Officer
Three Jon A. Iseminger
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 the2022 induction isJune 1, 2021

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

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Army Aviation Hall of Fame 1992 Induction Atlanta, GA

C

W3 Jon A. Iseminger was twice
awarded the title of World Champion
Helicopter Pilot by the Commission
Internationale de Giraviation (theInternational Helicopter Commission)acting for the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the worldwide sponsor of air and space records and contests. His successes led
the United States Precision Helicopter Team to two consecutive World
Helicopter Championships in 1986 and 1989.
In 1986 at Castle Ashby, England, CW3 Iseminger topped a fieldof 26 crews from West Germany, the Soviet Union, Great Britain,
Poland, and the United States of America. In 1989, at Chantilly, France,competing in a field of 38 crews representing West Germany, the Soviet
Union, Great Britain, France, South Africa, and the USA, he won withan astounding 796 points of a total possible 800. The highest scoring
foreign competitor had 757 points. For his efforts, CW3 Iseminger wascongratulated in person by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and at theOval Office in 1989 by President George Bush.
The scores achieved by CW3 Iseminger in international competitions
are recorded permanently with the Fédération AéronautiqueInternationale, Paris, France, and will stand as a formidable challenge tofuture competitors. His outstanding accomplishments gained world-wide
recognition while representing the United States Army’s magnificent
corps of Warrant Officer Aviators.
In 1990, he was presented the prestigious Harmon Trophy by Vice
President Dan Quayle for his outstanding achievements as a pilot.
With the award CW3 Iseminger joined the select ranks of the world’s
great aviation pioneers, pilots, and astronauts. In winning, he is the firstmember of the U.S. Army to win the Harmon Trophy since General
James H. Doolittle won it in 1946.

70

November 30, 2020

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

72 Corporation© 2020 Lockheed Martin

November 30, 2020