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July 31, 2020

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36

Contents
July 31, 2020, Vol. 69, No. 7

TO THE FIELD
10

10

Army Aviation Branch Chief's Corner
By MG David J. Francis

14		 This is Your Army!
		 By GEN Paul E. Funk II
16

Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch Update
By CW5 Jonathan P. Koziol 		

18

Branch Command Sergeant Major Update
By CSM Brian N. Hauke

		

		
20
Combat Readiness Center Update
By COL Jason Miller

18

22

Reserve Component Aviation Update
By SGT Alex Morgan

24

128th Aviation Brigade Update
By 1SG Zachary J. Ogilby

26

CCDC AVMC Tech Talk
By Mr. Cody Wells and Mr. Kenneth Carel				

28		Ask the Flight Surgeon		

By MAJ (Dr.) Laura S. Ball

SPECIAL FOCUS — Training
22

30

Resources That Enable Large Scale Combat Operations 		
(LSCO) Capability
By COL Stephen W. Owen and COL Jimmy L. Meacham, U.S.
Army Retired

34

Army Aviation Emergency Response Methodology
By LTC Jamie LaValley

36

Training Army Aviation for Large Scale Combat Operations
By LTC Tim Jaeger, MAJ Tito Carrion, and MAJ Brian Haas

38

A Year of Firsts: Division Deep Operations Training at the 		
Joint Multinational Readiness Center
By LTC(P) Phil Lamb and LTC Troy Gillett

40

Aviation at JRTC – 2020 and Beyond
By LTC John A. Morris III

		

		

		

34

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

3

July 31, 2020

Contents
July 31, 2020, Vol. 69, No. 7

42

SPECIAL FOCUS - Simulation
42 Enhancing Leader Development with Simulation
By COL John M. Ferrell and Mr. Wade B. Becnel

44 Aviator Training Next – An Experiment in Virtual Reality
By MAJ Chris McFarland

46 Establishing Data As A Strategic Asset

By LTC Clinton Underwood and MSG Dylan LeMasters

SPECIAL FOCUS – Corpus Christi Army Depot
44

48 CCAD: Safety and Technology in the Time of COVID-19
By Ms. Della Adame

SPECIAL FOCUS – Future Vertical Lift
50 A Critical Force Multiplier in Complex Operational 			Environments – The Future Long Range Assault Aircraft
By MAJ Jacqueline Stilwell

FROM THE FIELD
48

52 Pennsylvania National Guard Introduces The Military Family 		
Education Program Act of 2019
By CW4 Teresa R. Watkins

DEPARTMENTS

58

60

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............................................................................................ 57
ARMY AVIATION COMMUNITY NEWS
Advertisers Index......................................................................................................................65
Art’s Attic.......................................................................................................................................69
Briefings...........................................................................................................................................6Hall of Fame................................................................................................................................. 79
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

4

July 31, 2020

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July 31, 2020

Briefings
Editor / CW4 (Ret.) Joseph L. Pisano Sr.
editor@quad-a.org
Associate Editor / CW5 Adam Jarvis
adam@quad-a.org

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

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

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

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

Ryan Takes Command of
USASOAC

Editorial Address
593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806
Tel: (203) 268-2450 / Fax: (203) 268-5870

ARMYAVIATIONmagazine.com

On The Cover
PAID ADVERTISEMENT:CAE is the global leader in training and trains
more than 135,000 pilots each year. At theCAE Dothan Training Center in Alabama,
CAE delivers academic, simulator and live
flying training to Army fixed-wing aviators.
CAE was recently selected to provide
the Army with advanced helicopter flighttraining support services at Ft. Rucker.
Visit www.caeusa.com for information
about CAE.
Caption provided by the advertiser.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SFC J. TASHUN JOYCÉ, USASOAC PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Circulation Department
Deb Cavallaro
Debbie Coley
Joanne Hansrote
Elisabeth Mansson
Sue Stokes
Web Master / Mary Seymour
mary@quad-a.org

Hokanson Nominated for
CNGB
Army LTG Daniel
R. Hokanson has
been nominated byPresident Trump tobe the next chiefof the National
Guard Bureau. If
confirmed by the
Senate, Hokanson
will be promoted
to general and replace Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, who
assumed the position in August 2016. The
head of the National Guard Bureau is alsoa member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hokanson is currently the director of the Army
National Guard and previously served as
the bureau’s vice chief as well as deputy
commander of U.S. Northern Command
and Oregon’s adjutant general. He is a decorated Apache and Black Hawk helicopter
pilot with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan,and Panama.

COL Philip Ryan, incoming commanderof U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation
Command (Airborne), receives the commandcolors from LTG Francis Beaudette,commanding general, U.S. Army Special
Operations Command, during a change ofcommand ceremony at Fort Bragg, NC, June
26, 2020. Ryan, a former commander of the160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment(Airborne), the Night Stalkers, recently served
as the executive officer to the Secretary of
the Army. Outgoing commander, BG Allan
Pepin (center), will remain at Ft. Bragg as
the deputy commanding general of USASOC.
6

Dixon-Carter Tapped as
SWOA-CSA

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

Publisher / William R. Harris Jr.

CW5 Yolondria
Dixon-Carter
was announced
by Army Chief ofStaff GEN James
C. McConville as
the third senior
warrant officer advisor to the chief ofstaff of the Armyon April 7, 2020.
She had been serving as the assistant executive officer (AXO) for McConville prior to his assuming the CSA position for almost three years
while he was Vice CSA. As the SWOA-CSA, theVero Beach, Florida native who enlisted as apersonnel actions specialist in 1989 and was
appointed as a warrant officer in April 2002,
will chair the Army Warrant Officer Council
which advises CSA and other senior Armyleaders on current and future development of
the warrant officer cohort. She will represent
more than 25,000 warrant officers across all
17 branches and three components.

No More Photos in Officer
Promotion Boards

The Army will no longer include official photos
for officer selection boards beginning inAugust to help eliminate unconscious biases
in the promotion process, according to Army
Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Chief of Staff
GEN James C. McConville at a Pentagon press
conference on June 25, 2020. Promotion
board processes for warrant officers andnoncommissioned officers are being reviewed
as well. Eliminating promotion photos is one
part of a larger initiative that Army Secretary
Ryan McCarthy called “Project Inclusion.” It
will involve sending Army senior leaders to
installations around the force in the coming
months to visit with soldiers and have“uncomfortable conversations” with troops
about race, diversity, equity and inclusion.

FOLLOW US!
Army Aviation Associationof America
Army Aviation Association@Army_Aviation
Army Aviation Associationof America Group

July 31, 2020

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u President’s Cockpit

Adapting to the New NormalA

In this issue, the TRADOC Commanding General, General Paul Funk,lays out just how TRADOC and the
Army is leading the way in operationalizing the Generating Force across theenterprise: as he calls it, leading to a new
operating paradigm: A New Normal.
Our country is also undergoing a different but much needed transformation,as civil protests are leading many of us tostand up and insist that systemic racism
be totally eliminated in our country. Let
me be clear: AAAA stands for 100%
equality for all, throughout our nation,
our Army, and within Army Aviation.
The majority of the issue continues
with a primary focus on training andsimulation. Our Branch Chief, MG
Dave Francis, focuses on the leading role simulations of all types playin Army Aviation. As he notes, we areleveraging every possible technology toenhance our training experience acrossthe board, which includes aircraft survivability, low cost virtual reality, andthe Reconfigurable Virtual Collective
Trainer (RVCT-A).
Reports from the field make up the
majority of the rest of the magazine, including from our training centers: NTC’s
Eagle Team, JRTC’s Alpha Team, andJMRC’s Falcon Team. We also spotlight
Corpus Christi Army Depot and its newcommander, Colonel J. Parker.
Summer always includes changes
in leadership, and so we want to highARMY AVIATION Magazine

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT TRAVIS MUELLER, 28TH ECAB

s we go to print forthis July issue, ourcountry and much of
the world is still facing
major disruptions andchallenges from the
COVID-19 pandemic.
There is no doubt we willrise above the virus, but
it will cause us all, and
our Army, to adapt to a
New Normal.

U.S. Army CW5 Chuck Doyno, command chief warrant officer of the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation
Brigade, wears a facemask while exiting a HUMVEE Egress Assistance Trainer after being rolled over.
This essential training is part of the 28th ECAB’s preparations for their upcoming deployment to theMiddle East during the COVID-19 pandemic.

light a few at the senior levels. At PEO
Aviation, SES Mr. Pat Mason reverts tothe deputy PEO position after successfully leading the enterprise for several
months, and BG Rob Barrie assumes
the charter as PEO-A. We congratulate Pat on his term and look forward
to continuing to work with him as thedeputy PEO. We want to say a special
congratulations to Rob on his promotion and assumption of the PEO position and wish him the very best!
Next up is the U.S. Army Special
Operations Aviation Command’s (USASOAC) Commanding General, BG
Al Pepin, who is moving to be the Deputy Commanding General at U.S. Army
Special Operations Command, as BG
Tom Drew moves to the Pentagon. Taking over as Commander of USASOAC
is Colonel Phil Ryan. Again, congrats toboth BG Pepin and Colonel Ryan!
As of this writing, we are still planning to hold the Luther Jones Depot
Forum at Corpus Christi 25-26 August.
Bill Harris and I are watching the COVID-19 issues closely and will coordinate decisions with AMCOM Commanding General MG Todd Royar and
8

CCAD Commander Colonel J. Parker.
We are very hopeful that ourenhanced Cribbins Symposium inHuntsville 16-18 November can beheld safely – we have a superb agenda
of presentations, and industry has really
stepped up with a large number of whatlook to be highly interesting exhibits.
Should be a great and very interesting
forum! Please plan on attending!
As I noted last month (and the month
before that), 2020 will be challenging
for our members and their families. I
continue to be proud of what Army
Aviation does to support America, ourArmy and our citizens. I am very confident all of us will successfully adapt tothe challenging environment caused by
the virus – the “New Normal,” to borrow from General Funk’s great article.
Stay healthy! As always, I pledge
to ensure that AAAA does its part tohelp YOU: our Soldiers, families, andsenior leaders!
MG Jeff Schloesser, U.S. Army Retired
34th President, AAAA
jeff.schloesser@quad-a.org
July 31, 2020

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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July 31, 2020

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY GEORGIOS MOUMOULIDIS

u Army Aviation Branch Chief's Corner

Modernizing In Stride – Training Focus
By MG David J. FrancisOver the last several months, I’ve talked aboutmodernizing our fleets, updating our doctrine andrefreshing our leadership development strategy.

U.S. Soldiers with B Company, 1st General
Support Aviation Battalion, 214th Aviation
Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade
conduct door gunnery training at the NonRated Crew Member (NCM3) flight simulator
on Aug. 15, 2018 at Storck Barracks, Illesheim.
Germany.

in large scale combat operations. Several
initiatives at Fort Rucker highlight
how the branch is using simulations toimprove our doctrine and change theway we train.

physics-based models, radar crosssections of our aircraft and accurate
behavioral modelling for both red andblue forces on the battlefield is criticalto our ability to rapidly adapt to new
threats, and provide accurate training
capabilities to the force in a timely
manner. USAACE recently introduced
single and multi-ship terrain flighttactics designed to counter current
and emerging threats in the LSCO
environment. Aviators must address
the threat, the kill-chain, and how
the aircrew’s actions affect mission
outcomes. Key to this training is highfidelity simulation able to reinforce
concepts, rehearse maneuvers, anddevelop SOPs. It is crucial for learning
outcomes and risk mitigation as well.

We must do all these things whileremaining globally committed witha high OPTEMPO and building
readiness to fight and win in a complex Large-Scale Combat Operation(LSCO) operating environment.
Army Aviation’s July issue focuses on
simulations, which is a critical enabler
for the Aviation Branch. As aviators,
we historically rely on simulations
to develop proficiency in flight tasks
that are too difficult to replicate or too
dangerous to execute in a live flightenvironment. But simulations also
allow us to take a hard look at ourdoctrine, our tactics, techniques, andprocedures (TTPs), mission planning
processes, and assess how we will fightcollectively against a near peer adversary
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Aircraft Survivability
As we evaluate the Integrated Air
Defense Systems (IADS) threat we faceon today’s and tomorrow’s battlefields,
we must ensure our equipment andtactics are synchronized to effectively
mitigate and/or neutralize those threats.
Recent experimentation highlights
the need to leverage simulations,to the maximum extent possible, tounderstand how the ‘see/be seen – kill/
be killed’ probabilities can be swung
in our favor. Developing high fidelity
10July 31, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

11

July 31, 2020

Emergency Response
Methodology (ERM)
Simulation is also exceptionally useful in training the new ERM Task 1070
(detailed in the ERM article in this issue). Across all airframes, simulation
enhances the depth of training, permitting Emergency Procedure execution ina controlled environment. High fidelity
simulation allows crews and instructors
to focus on the Fly-Alert-DiagnoseExecute-Communicate-Fly (FADECF) steps, and dive into the details ofeach step to ensure a deep understanding of both the process and the nuancesof the emergency. As we approach
the release date of the Flight Reference Card (FRC) format to the aircrew
checklists this October, simulation willagain prove an invaluable tool to train
and integrate the full Phase I (1070) andPhase II (FRCs) of ERM, fundamentally changing Emergency Proceduretraining in Army Aviation.
Aviator Training Next (ATN)
In a previous issue, I highlighted theAviator Training Next experiment thatsought to determine if low-cost, lowfidelity commercial-off-the-shelf virtual
reality (VR) technologies could be usedeffectively to train pilots. To execute

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

this, we put together a cross-functionalteam led by the Directorate of Simulation that includes the 110th Aviation
Brigade, the Directorate of Training andDoctrine, the US Army Aeromedical
Research Lab, the Aviation and Missile
Center’s Systems Simulation, Softwareand Integration Directorate in Huntsville and the Operational ResearchCenter at the US Military Academy
at West Point. This team collected data
during the initial phase of flight training
for several classes with 296 students using these VR devices. The initial report
indicates that ATN is a valid training
methodology and we look forward tocontinued research in the next phase of
the experiment to see if this technology
is adaptable in other areas of training.
Future Training Capabilities
USAACE is heavily engaged with
the Synthetic Training Environment(STE) Cross Functional Team, whichis rebuilding the Army’s simulations
training infrastructure from the groundup. The STE is designed to provide
a collective, multi-echelon training
and mission rehearsal capability forthe operational, institutional and selfdevelopment training domains. It will
provide training to ground, dismount-12

ed and aerial platforms and command
posts (CP) at the points of need. It will
also interact with and augment live
training, which is the primary training approach for the Army. Criticalto the Aviation Branch is the Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer –Air (RVCT-A) which will replace the
AVCATT. Given the complexities ofour modern digital fleets, USAACE
is leading a formal collaborative teamfrom PEO-AV, PEO-STRI, STE
CFT, CAC-T and DAMO-AV to ensure this new training capability fully
meets our collective training needs andremains concurrent with our enduring
fleet now and into the future as we begin fielding the FVL aircraft.
As a branch, we will continue to leverage every possible technology to insure the training of our Aviation Force.
Our people are our most valuable asset,
and we will continue to provide the best
training capability to the Force. Winning Matters!
Above the Best!
MG David J. Francis is the Army
Aviation branch chief and commanderof the U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence and Fort Rucker, AL.

July 31, 2020

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u This Is Your Army !

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)

The New Normal

By GEN Paul E. Funk IIT

he coronavirus presents new challenges to themanner in which TRADOC generates combat
power for the Army, and nowhere has this been felt
more than at the Centers of Excellence.

The responsibility borne by the Aviation
Center cannot be understated – as they
are the sole provider of fixed and rotary
wing aviators for the United States
Army. The nature of their businessmandates training in close proximity,
which posed – and continues to pose
– a difficult challenge to both trainees
and instructor pilots. The confined
nature of cockpit training presents a
unique problem set not experienced atother training installations. Like otherinstallations, however, the Aviation
Center also grappled with being part of
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

the generating force in an operationalfight. But with these challenges arose
opportunities – and the Aviation Centerof Excellence capitalized on them.
Through this pandemic we continue
to train and build combat power. To doso requires replacing the factory-like
repetition of the generating force with
operational plans and actions that account for an unfamiliar enemy in a dynamic environment. We use actions suchas controlled monitoring, social distanceenabled training, hand washing, mask
usage, the employment of trace and14

clean teams, and testing to minimize theimpact of the virus on our training andinstructor populations. When we do experience infection, we aggressively contact trace, quarantine those potentially
exposed, and then monitor those quarantined to provide the best care, as wellas protect the force. We are reforming
our 20th Century industrial commandand control model, adopting an operational approach to how we function thatbrings us into the 21st Century. Decisive
to this transformation is an information
campaign that drives adjustment andadaptation through flat, agile organizations. The methods and protocols that
we employ are not one-time actions tocombat a fleeting enemy, but rather encompass a New Normal for operations
within Training and Doctrine Command. It is incumbent upon us to adopt
these mitigation measures as norms in
our training installations, as force generation and training cannot stop.
July 31, 2020

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY KELLY MORRIS, USAACE PUBLIC AFFAIRSAn AH-64 instructor and student wear masks
as a COVID-19 precautionary measure as they
prepare for a gunnery training flight at Fort
Rucker, Alabama on Apr. 24, 2020.

Significant Emotional
Experience and Repetition
I have often stated that people learn
in two ways: significant emotional experience and repetition. The COVID-19
pandemic presents us with both circumstances. As the spread of the virus began
to escalate in early March, it required us toadapt and learn from significant emotional experience. By necessity, we operationalized our headquarters across the enterprise at every echelon to exercise a level ofcommand and control seldom seen in thegenerating force. We implemented force
protection measures, increased HPCON,and stopped all movement of personnel– understanding that we had to quickly,
but deliberately set conditions to resume
movement and maintain momentum.
We also embarked on a comprehensive
information campaign to communicate
within, and outside, of our organizations. These are transformational changes
forced by the environment in which we
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

are operating. The environment is forcing
our hand and making us reform in the
midst of the fight.
As often happens, we transitioned
from environment-induced changes
to efficiency-induced processes. Asa learning organization, we adapted
the best practices set in place by U.S.
Forces Korea (USFK) – led by General
Abrams – for use on our installations.
From the Army Command level down
to our platoons and squads, we are retaining the procedures that work anddiscarding those that do not. From myvantage point, the paradigm shift is evident – and awe-inspiring. The entire enterprise is operating with an efficiency
initiated by the pandemic but refined by
our People. We assumed a war footing
within the organization. Our Soldiers,
civilians and leaders did what they do sowell – applied the basics of Army doctrine – our doctrine – to the operational
environment and refined those processes through repetition. We created andmaintained bubbles around our training
bases and resumed shipping on carefully
monitored sterile transportation withrigidly enforced protocols. Professional
military education is continuing throughthe expanded use of distributed learningwhen possible, and social distance enabled instruction, when required. Commanders are taking tactical pauses whennecessary to set conditions and pressing ahead when they see opportunities.
With each day comes more repetitions,and with every repetition we improve as
an organization. Through this pandemic,
the training bases continue to function– and to function well – informed by
the art of mission command and managed through the science of commandand control. TRADOC is adapting andcontinuing to generate combat power
for the Army.

COVID environment in perpetuity, but
because the policies and procedures weare implementing during this crisis aremaking us better and more capable ofdealing with uncertainty and operating
under suboptimal conditions. The operationalization of the TRADOC enterprise was long overdue and provides us
the ability not only to see the environment, but also to see ourselves withinthat environment. This capability willserve us well, regardless of whether we
operate in crisis action or steady state.
The force protection measures and protocols that we are implementing and refining will continue to protect our Nation’s most valuable resource, our People, for the duration of this pandemic
and beyond – from the known and theunknown. Our enhanced distributed
learning capability will allow us to gain
efficiencies in the professional development of our Soldiers, civilians and leaders, optimizing both our instructionaltime and our resources. Most importantly, as leaders, we have been pushed
outside of our comfort zones, forced tothink critically, and required to exercise
ingenuity to overcome the challenges
opposing us and win.
As iron sharpens iron, so, too, do difficult times test the mettle of those who
endure them – for those who emerge
from the crucible are better and stronger because of it. While we have not yet
defeated the current threat, we are better Soldiers, better organizations, and abetter Army because of our penchant topersevere. The advances we are making
in the face of a daunting enemy demonstrate to the world the power of our
Army. We are reforming our processes
while in contact. We provide comfort tothe sick, represent hope to the Nation,and demonstrate resolve to the World.
This is the New Normal.

The New Normal
As we reflect on this period, it isimperative that we not view this as
merely an aberration in time. This is nota blip on a radar screen that disappears
as quickly as it appears. The processes
and procedures that we are instituting
and refining are part of a new operating
paradigm. I say this not because I fear
for the discovery of a vaccine and believe we will be required to operate in a

Victory Starts Here!

15

GEN Paul E. Funk II
is the 17th commanding general of U.S. Army
Training and Doctrine Command headquartered at Joint Base
Langley-Eustis, VA.
July 31, 2020

u Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch Update

Leading Into The Future

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY MAJ ROBERT FELLINGHAM

By CW5 Jonathan Koziol

Ayear has passed since I have last addressed
you regarding simulation and training updates.
In staying with the same focus, I can assure you much
has changed.
The global pandemic has affected ourdaily personal and professional lives.
Some of those impacts have forced
our enterprise to make some bold newchanges as to how we train and protect
the mission.
I am in awe of how we have adjusted
and adapted to the restrictions to protect
the mission. Within a matter of days, Fort
Rucker quickly implemented changes
to the programs of instruction (POIs)
to allow virtual or distance learning.
Believe me, it was a monumental effort
by multiple agencies to transition to a
virtual environment. Likewise, it was an
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

adjustment for you in the field. We havejust finished our first all virtual Aviation
Warrant Officer Advanced Course(AWOAC). There were a few growing
pains, but it was still a successful event.
As an enterprise, we have gained
efficiencies, with some being long
lasting. The balance we must determine
is how much virtual/distance learning
is too much? There are added benefits
for a resident course that we cansometimes overlook. The first is there
are limited distractions while in classand the student can concentrate on
what he or she is learning. I am sure you
16

CH-47 Chinook pilots CW4 Jason Andersen(near) and CW2 Nick Lee (far), assigned to Co. B,“Big Windy,” 1-214th General Support Aviation
Battalion, conduct pre-flight checks before
an overwater training flight in the Republic of
Cyprus on Jan. 15, 2020.

all have experienced an online course
whether professionally or personally.
If you are taking it at home, there are
distractions even if you try to mitigate
them. Additionally, the immeasurable
benefit of a resident course is the sharedexperiences between class members that
help us all become better professionals.
We will all have to keep that in mind as
we continue to adapt to our new normal.
If we continue to do virtual online
training, we must ensure commanders
cordon our Soldiers off to allow them tofocus on the task-at-hand and not haveto worry about the day-to-day work.
July 31, 2020

A key element the Aviation Branch
has been working on is Knowledge,
Skills and Behaviors (KSB) for our aviation Soldiers. We have broken out the
warrant officer KSBs into two sets, withaviators having their own KSBs. These
KSBs lay out benchmarks for what will
be expected of our warrant officers as
they progress throughout their careers.
The KSBs will be a key guideline forleader development of our aviation warrant officers. In the coming weeks, wewill be releasing a leader development
strategy for aviation Soldiers. The intent
is a basic strategy for you to teach, coach,and mentor your junior Soldiers and giveleaders some guidelines to work with.
Leader development is not new andis sometimes misunderstood in somerespects. Leaders are doing this in an
unintentional manner, and if asked, will
not realize it. What the strategy will do
is give all leaders a better structured plan
to follow. As we move towards the next
fight, all the analysis is showing we will
be in a dispersed environment and having to be on the move. Well-rounded
Soldiers who have multiple experiences
will be the best prepared to win the next
fight. You can expect future warrant officer Primary Military Education (PME)and functional training to have a sharper
focus on warfighting. It will be shaped
to focus more heavily on our doctrine
and tactical employment of our aviation assets. This is nothing new, but thissharper focus will better prepare us for
multi-domain operations (MDO).
As we work on the big picture leader
development plan, we are going to ask you
to develop a robust Unit Trainer program.
Again, this is nothing new. The unit training program has been around for a whileand some units do it better than others.
Your Branch is doing analysis on how to
optimize our formations as we move towards the MDO 2028 concept. A good
unit training program can help balance
the workload for your unit by allowing
your unit trainers to offload some of thework from key leaders and is another stepin the leader development process.
Thank you all for the hard work you
are doing every day. Because of you, ourbranch is stronger. Protect yourself andkeep your family healthy. Protect themission. Winning Matters!
Above the Best!

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CW5 Jonathan P. Koziol is the chief
warrant officer of the Aviation Branchwith the U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence, Fort Rucker, AL.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

17

July 31, 2020

u Branch Command Sergeant Major
By CSM Brian N. Hauke

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CHARLES ROSEMOND

Leader DevelopmentIn light of everything COVID-19 related happeningaround the world, I hope you and your families,
including extended families, are safe and doing well.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Company A, 1stBattalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack
Reconnaissance) conduct maintenance on an
AH-64 Apache helicopter at Katterbach Army
Airfield, Germany, June 16, 2020.

No matter where you and your loved
ones live, please remain safe andhealthy while the nation transitions
back to some form of normalcy – if weare able to call it normal. Your health isof the utmost importance to your unit’s,
the branch’s, and our Army’s readiness.
For this issue, I want to discuss leader
development. Leaders, we can neverbe “too busy” for leader development!

first thing in the morning and throughout the entire day we have vast opportunities as leaders to provide leader
development. As defined in the Army
Leader Development strategy, leader
development is, “A continuous, progressive process by which the synthesisof an individual’s training, education,and experiences contribute to individual growth over the course of a career.”
Make no mistake about it, developmentof our people is an Army priority!
“Recognizing readiness as the Army’s
first priority, we understand that themost critical factor in delivering Armyreadiness is the development of leadersof character at every level.” – General
James McConville (HASC Subcommittee Statement, February 2018)
From our doctrine, the overarching
tenets of Army leader development arethese (FM 6-22):
n Strong commitment by the Army,superiors, and individuals to leader
development.

U.S. ARMY GRAPHIC

Leader development is a critical elementof combat power; it is our advantage
over our adversaries. We must prepare
our leaders and develop their capability
to outthink and outperform our enemies
in order to defend the nation.
Aviation leaders (you) are the competitive advantage our Army possesses
that technology cannot replace nor be
substituted by advanced weaponry andplatforms. As our Branch and Armymove toward more and more complex
weapon systems and platforms, out ofnecessity, to maintain overmatch against
potential adversaries in the future, wecannot forget that people are what will
win the day.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Commitment
Our Aviation Leaders must be committed to the development of others
and themselves. I think we can all agree
that leader development occurs in everything we do and at all levels. From
Physical Readiness Training (PRT),
18

July 31, 2020

u Enlisted Aviation Soldier Spotlight®

Each month we will feature a past AAAA National or Functional Enlisted or NCO Award winner aspart 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.

SAVING LIVES SINCE 1981

SGT Brandon J. Travers

STILL OUR BEST SELLING PRODUCTCompany A, 4th Battalion,
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade
Task Force Viper®

SKED CONTINUES TO SAVE LIVES

Trainer of the Year Award, 2013
Sponsored by L-3 Technologies, Link Training & SimulationS

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GT Brandon Travers took a company barely capableof completing their assigned mission due to lack of**EQUIPPED WITH
qualified crew chiefs to man the nine UH-60L BlackCOBRA BUCKLES FOR
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RAPID PATIENT PACKAGING
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chiefs but also for the newly assigned door gunners, none of whom had prior aviation(SK-215C)“LIGHTER
crew duty experience. During his nine month deployment to Forward Operating BaseFAS T E R
Wolverine in Regional Command-South, Afghanistan, he was able to progress 17 Soldiers
EASIER TO CARRY”
and complete 11 Annual Proficiency and Readiness Tests to enhance the warfighting
capability of the only assault helicopter company in the Zabul Province of Afghanistan.
SGT Travers served as a primary trainer but also a mission critical crew member during
more than 330 combat flight hours in support of mission sets including multi-aircraftspecial operations forces air assaults and logistics support operations.

Clear purpose for what, when, andhow to develop leaders.
n Supportive relationships and cultureof learning.
n Three mutually supportive domains(institutional, operational, and selfdevelopment) that enable education,
training and experience.
n Providing, accepting, and acting
upon candid assessment and feedback.
You, the leaders, establish your “leader
development climate” within your organizations. This climate happens at every
level from the team, squad and platoon
all the way up through divisions, corps
and the Army. What exactly do I meanby leader development climate? Is theclimate a zero-failure culture or failure
is not an option culture? To quote a Jedi
master we all know well, “The greatest
teacher, failure is.” (Yoda, Jedi Master) I
am going to let everyone in on a little
secret, I have failed more times than I
can count and am quite sure if you asked
most senior leaders across our branchthey would tell you the same.

they won’t succeed. Failing at something
is not the end of the world. In fact, failing makes the individual better. A leader
must get subordinates he or she is developing to think critically. Enabling themto think critically can result in possible
failure. You must give them intent andturn them loose, but with some parameters to ensure there are left and right
limits when it comes to the intent. However, we should allow our Soldiers an opportunity to fail (failure = growth)! Thisis an important part in any Soldiers’ development, in fact, its important period.
In closing, I ask you these questions:
What is the leader development culture
in your organization, and does it allow
for growth? If not, I ask you to work at
this. Please do not mistake this for notaccomplishing our mission and winning. As we are all aware, “WINNING
MATTERS!”
Thanks again for all that each one ofyou do for our Branch and Army! Stay
Healthy!
CSM Hauke
brian.n.hauke.mil@mail.mil

Critical Thinking
Ladies and gentlemen, failure is not
the end. If a Soldier never fails, he or she
has never tried. Unless they have tried,

CSM Brian N. Hauke is the commandsergeant major of the Aviation Branch
and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence, Fort Rucker, AL.

n

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

19

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July 31, 2020

u Combat Readiness Center Update
By COL Jason Miller

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY JOSEPH MENDIOLA, CCDC AVIATION & MISSILE CENTER

Simulations and SafetyI

t is fortuitous that this month’s theme in AAAA centerson simulations. The last few AAAA articles from the U.S.
Army Combat Readiness Center have focused on an
Aviation trend we dubbed the “fourth quarter spike.”

Soldiers use the Future Open Rotorcraft Cockpit
Environment, or FORCE, simulator during ademo day in Huntsville, AL, Feb. 28. FORCE
is a reconfigurable, extensible and portable
platform that provides readiness to the U.S. Armyby enabling innovative technology evaluation
through rapid integration timelines.

While Army Aviation is in the safest
five-year period overall in the branch’s
history, data clearly show the majority of Class A mishaps (21 of 53, or 40
percent) over the past five years occurred
during the fourth quarter, with August
being almost double any other month.
As we talk about mitigation measures ortools to reverse the fourth quarter mishap trend, simulation devices provide
another avenue to improve risk management, increase aircrew proficiency andenhance mission rehearsals to reduce
Aviation mishaps.

Increase AircrewProficiency During
Emergency Situations
Through the beginning of June 2020,
Army Aviation has experienced a total of
six Class A mishaps, all the result of human error. When combined with the final mishap of FY19, three of the last seven Class A mishaps were the direct resultof improper analysis and performance of
emergency procedures, prompting thebranch to institute the Emergency Response Methodology.
As our mission profile changes in support of LSCO, it is critical when implementing ERM that units maximize
simulator use to build aircrew proficiency in identifying and responding
to emergencies appropriately. Simulators assist aviators in moving from rote

Improve Risk Management
Army Aviation is a learning organization. Through the DOTMLPF-P
process, Aviation continues to makedramatic strides in reducing human
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

and materiel mishap causation factors
through engineering solutions and improved risk management. Simulations
are an integral tool to support improved
decision-making through providing
complex environments and scenarios
requiring dynamic risk managementby aircrews. With historically over 80
percent of mishaps caused by humanerror, simulators allow organizations
to control materiel and environmental inputs and to safely isolate aircrew
performance, judgment, coordination,
and actions through increasingly challenging scenarios. Simulators provide
an excellent risk management tool to reduce human error and get after training
objectives and complex mission tasks in
a constantly changing environment requiring dynamic risk assessment.
20

July 31, 2020

ai158922519117_AAAA Ad 2020 (Two-Thirds Page) - June 2020.pdf 1 5/11/2020 1:26:39 PM

memorization and transition to understanding and realistic application ofknowledge during complex or criticalsituations. Emergencies don’t usually
happen during ideal conditions but,
more often than not, they occur whenleast expected and during a high workload. Simulators enhance the ability toreplicate simple or complex emergency
conditions during critical phases of themission to improve the quality of training and truly reinforce why ERM and“fly the aircraft” were instituted.
Enhance Mission
Rehearsals
Just as on the ground side of operations, Aviation mishap investigations
increasingly uncover the importance ofpre-mission rehearsals. Studies show adirect correlation between aircrew performance in simulators and success in a
mission environment. Simulators provide organizations the ability to rehearse
and execute realistic mission scenariosand contingencies in a controlled environment. The actual operational mission
environment where aircrews are preparing to operate may not exist at homestation or during a particular time ofyear but can be replicated in the simulator. For example, environmental changes(heat, dust, weather) in the fourth quarter present a challenge to Aviation operations. Replicating the environment andmission profile in a simulator provides
aircrews and trainers a prime opportunity to understand the hazards, implement controls, work on contingencies
and drive mission risk down during operational missions.
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Reverse the Fourth Quarter
Spike
Aviation has an excellent training
model: teach, simulate/rehearse, execute.
While nothing will replace the essential
learning from hands-on training, simulations provide units a tremendous opportunity to develop, rehearse and refine
their skills while reducing risk to theforce. As we transition into the fourth
quarter, units must maximize the use oftools to mitigate risk, methodically build
proficiency and enhance operations toreverse the trend that historical data has
illuminated.
Readiness Through Safety!
COL Jason Miller is the deputy
commander of the U.S. Army Combat
Readiness Center, Fort Rucker, AL.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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July 31, 2020

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SGT ALEX MORGAN

u Reserve Components Aviation UpdateStandardization in the Aviation Community
By SGT Alex MorganW

ithin the Aviation community, standardizationand safety play a vital role in ensuring theeffectiveness and safety of training and operations.
SGT Joshua Maldonado, the standardization instructor
in Company C, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment,
11th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, stresses
the importance of standards and safety.

A Soldier in Company C/7-158, 11th
Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade,descends from a UH-60 aircraft during hoist
training at Fort Carson, CO on Nov. 2, 2019.

“It’s one thing if a unit does thingsa certain way and it works for them,but what happens if a Soldier transfers
to a different unit that does things
differently? They might not haveenough time to relearn that standard
before it is time to execute a mission.”
Maldonado said. “If it’s standardizedof others. With higher risk operations
such as hoist training and high-altitude
flights, it is critical that Aviation
Soldiers properly implement standards
to prevent injury or loss of life.
It is the standardization instructor’s
responsibility along with the standardization pilots, instructor pilots,

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

the same everywhere, then it ensuresthat all the crews are training andlearning the same way to avoid lifethreatening mistakes.”
Aviation allows little room for error for
everyone involved. Pilots, flight medics,
and crews are all responsible for not
only their own safety but also the safety
22

July 31, 2020and flight instructors to evaluate thereadiness of personnel. They teach andenforce the standards. Maldonado explained that, “if something is done unsafe and not to the standard, then the
chances of something life-threatening
happening goes up. The risk is greaterin an Aviation unit compared to someother types of units because everything
we do is inherently dangerous, so we
stress risk mitigation and evaluate our
Soldiers to figure out the safest way to
train and perform our missions without
unnecessary risk.”
Standardization instructors not only
enforce the standards but are also theprimary trainers for unit personnel.
The standardization instructor will give
no-notice evaluations to Soldiers on afrequent basis. These evaluations occur
at random times to select personnel toensure that they are keeping up with
their knowledge and training.
“These evaluations are very importantbecause we might have a pilot orcrewmember that has not flown in awhile, and we need to make sure thatthey are keeping up with the proper
standards that come with the training.

Since it’s completely on the spot,
whoever gets evaluated has to be able toexecute the given task or demonstrate
their knowledge off the top of their headto prove they are capable of conducting
the training safely.”“Once someone reaches Readiness
Level 1, it’s my job as a standardization
instructor to make sure that theyremain proficient and continue to train
to the standard. It’s imperative they areprepared for the mission regardless ofthe conditions or situations they may
face,” said Maldonado.
SGT Maldonado works closelywith Chief Warrant Officer 3 Phillip
Strickland, the safety officer in
C/7-158. This relationship is vital
since the standardization instructor
ensures attainment of critical training
objectives in a variety of conditions,while the safety officer analyzes thesituation and determines whether
the training will be unnecessarily
dangerous. “Our mission does not stopbecause it’s extremely hot or cold, but
we have to make sure that the benefit oftraining outweighs the risk. No amountof training is worth someone losing

their life or getting seriously injuredin the process,” explained Maldonado.
“High winds are probably one of themost important things to consider in
Aviation”. Maldonado continued, “it’sup to myself and the safety officer todetermine if training should be called
off if wind speeds are too high. Thisis an especially critical consideration
when preparing a live hoist training
scenario.”
By maintaining standards throughout the Army and Aviation community,
units are able to achieve a higher levelof readiness across a multitude of environments and theaters while remaining
as safe and effective as possible.

SGT Alex Morgan is the public affairs
NCO for the 11th Expeditionary Combat
Aviation Brigade, Fort Carson, CO.

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July 31, 2020

u 128th Aviation Brigade Update
By 1SG Zachary J. Ogilby

128TH AVN. BDE. COURTESY PHOTO

NCO LeadershipYou started here, your Soldiers started here, andfor the foreseeable future, every next-generation
rotary wing maintenance Soldier will start here, in the128th Aviation Brigade.
This is not the Army Aviation Logistics
School of yesterday and our organization
has recently expanded its priorities. We’ve
merged our fundamental mission of providing the world’s best-trained maintainers to the force with the development ofour cadre into proven leaders. The brigade’s entire team has been solely charged
with the data collection and validation of
the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
and Expert Soldier Badge (ESB). We
have also aligned training priorities tomeet 21st-century demands through thedeliberate integration of a locally refined
Mission Essential Task List (METL).
Lastly, our instructors have designed andimplemented a comprehensive instructor
progression model intended to provide aclear vision for individual achievement.
With these measures, our team is fully
prepared to return to the operational force
as conceptually lethal NCOs.
On 17 November 2019, while mostAmericans were sleeping, Instructors
and Drill Sergeants from the 128th
Aviation Brigade were helping administer the Army’s First ESB course while
simultaneously executing our 500th test
ARMY AVIATION Magazineof the new ACFT. This was the culmination of months of arduous planning
after TRADOC selected our team of
NCOs to develop the initial ESB grading and validation criteria. Likewise,
the Center of Initial Military Training(CIMT) charged our unit with the datacollection for calibrating the ACFT’s
point scale. All the NCOs in our formation contributed to the success of these
two groundbreaking programs and are
subject matter experts in ACFT implementation, with over 3,000 tests administered. Our developmental gains fromthese enterprise-wide impacts will be
spread throughout the military as our
NCOs return to the fighting force.
In a unit with very few commissioned
officers, execution of the brigade commander’s priorities through missioncommand is paramount. To accomplish
command directives, our METL focuses heavily on developing our NCO’s
leadership competencies and advanced
understanding of the operational environment required of senior Army leaders. Following our METs, Instructors
receive and deliver in-depth leader pro24

NCOs from 128th AVN BDE administer the newArmy Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to AIT Soldiers.

fessional development on topics ranging
from incoming Soldier sponsorship totalent management strategies. We also
exercise mission command and provide
trained Soldiers to the force through theexecution of multi-day FTXs, certifying
over 4,000 Soldiers on 50+ Common
Skills Tasks that include hand grenade
deployment, Call for Fire requests, andobstacle course execution. Concurrent
with each FTX iteration, instructors
are evaluated on Troop Leading Procedures and the operation of a Command
Post, all in a field environment involving
hundreds of troops. Through the accomplishment of these METs, our NCOs
have advanced the unit into the nextlevel of organizational achievement.
Finally, we have identified a need forstandardized individual achievement. A
prime example of this is the Instructor
Progression Model which frames expectations of progress during the instructor’s
three-year assignment. Within the firstyear of arrival, the NCO is expected to
become certified as an instructor andearn the Basic Army Instructor Badge.
As instructors move into their second
and third years, they are given the option to run one of three tracks – akin to
the aviator’s maintenance, safety, and inJuly 31, 2020

structor paths. NCOs are given a choice
to track master instructor, operations, orleadership. This simple career matrix has
proven to be successful in the alignmentof organizational and individual priorities, providing clear direction for goal
achievement. Our organization’s effort toenhance instructor development raised
promotion rates to 42% of Instructor/
Writer candidates selected for SFC.
In closing, there is a direct correlation between the prioritization of leader
development and organizational success.
By enabling our NCOs to lead the Army’s ESB and ACFT implementation,
aggressively accomplish our METL,
and produce the instructor progression model, our cadre enabled the unit
to surpass all expectations of any training unit. We’re eager to release the next
wave of war-fighter NCOs armed withadvanced leadership abilities to your organizations as the 128th Aviation Brigade continues to cultivate NCOs who
are genuinely above the best.
“Born Under Fire!”
1SG Zachary J. Ogilby is the first sergeantof Company B, 1st Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment, 128th Aviation Brigade,
Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA.

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

25

July 31, 2020

u Tech Talk

Organic Sustainment Repair of the
Shadow Air Vehicle
By Mr. Cody Wells and Mr. Kenneth CarelO

Examples of structural composite repairs

This System was originally rapidly fielded with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) providing field repair,sustainment repair, logistics and engineering oversight after delivery throughContractor Logistics Support (CLS) contracts. Since this original fielding, thissystem has undergone several changes
including: transition to the Program Executive Office (PEO) - Aviation , systemcapabilities increase, component cost
increases, program retirement extension,and Federal Acquisitions Requirementscompliance. Due to these changes, an
updated Core Depot Assessment (CDA)
and Core Logistics Analysis (CLA) evaluation determined that an Air Vehicle(AV) sustainment level repair and return
program was required and the Corpus
Christi Army Depot (CCAD) was selected to provide this capability.
To meet this sustainment level capabilities requirement, the Systems Readiness Directorate (SRD) was asked by theTactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems(TUAS) Program Management (PM) office to complete work instructions, focusing on structural composite repairs.
SRD developed the necessary repair
procedures utilizing the AV Government
Purpose Rights Technical Data Package
and an Integrated Product Team madeup of members from the Prototype Integration Facility Composite Center,
Weapons Development and Integration
Directorate, SRD Unmanned Aerial
Systems, SRD Structures and Materials
Engineering, and CCAD. These procedures were then promulgated in program

Maintenance Engineering Order (MEO)
format allowing SRD to control procedure utilization by only specific maintenance locations possessing the required
equipment, facilities, and personnel.
These procedures were drafted in standard work package format like thosedeveloped for the UH-60M Black Hawk
Composite Stabilator and MQ-1C Gray
Eagle AV. This allowed for materials andequipment commonality, and technician familiarity. Procedure verification
was performed at CCAD’s composite
repair facility, which provided pre-development of work instructions, quality
assurance and quality inspection input
and planning, material and equipment
requirements, workflow development
and technician procedure familiarity.
From the CDA/CLA, it was determined CCAD would execute an AV
major assemblies’ repair and return
program. These major assemblies include the Fuselage, Outer Wings, Center Wing and Tail Assembly. Presently,
CCAD is completing a pilot programon all the major assemblies, excepting
the Fuselage. Along with the pilot program, CCAD has been asked by the PM
to develop and build DIT-MCO testing
hardware and software to check the major assemblies’ wiring harnesses. Thiseffort will allow for an efficient andthorough check all of the AV wiring forany potential future issues or existingdamage without complete removal of
the wiring from the AV.
Although CCAD is familiar withcomposite repairs and performs over-

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

CORPUS CHRISTI ARMY DEPOT COURTESY PHOTOS

riginally procured
through the UnitedStates Army Intelligenceand Security Command,the RQ-7B Shadow
Unmanned Aerial System(UAS) had its initial fielding
delivery in 2001.

26

haul of critical composite components
such as Rotor Blades, it had to overcome
several unique Shadow AV challenges.
Challenges conquered: unique programmatic structure; rapid internal work instruction development; technician repair
initiative and flexibility; Shadow UAS
logistical software, Catalogue Ordering
Logistics Tracking System, integration
with the Army’s Logistics Modernization Program; and lastly, transition from
OEM-centric logistics to the standard
Defense Logistics Agency model.
The Shadow UAS logistical support
plan and requirements have changed
greatly from its inception. Consequently,
the PM has had to assess its requirements
for sustainment level repair activities,
including development of organic work
instructions. CCAD and SRD, leveraging their expertise in overhaul of complex Army Rotorcraft, have been able tosupport these requirements with an initial
Army sustainment capability. CCAD,
SRD, and the PM are now developing
additional repair procedures, e.g.: current
and future Engine Assemblies, Alternators and Fuselage Assemblies to give
Army Aviation more robust and deeper
repair capability and future flexibility.
Mr. Cody Wells and Mr. Kenneth Carelare engineers on the ReconnaissanceTeam for the Maintenance Airworthiness Engineering Division of the U.S.
Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Systems ReadinessDirectorate; they are located at NAS
Corpus Christi, TX.
July 31, 2020

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

27

July 31, 2020

u Ask the Flight Surgeon

Women’s HealthQ:

For female aviators, what are theflight approved contraceptive
methods and are there any women’s
health requirements for flight physicals?

an option that stops or reduces menstrual bleeding not only
for contraception, but for convenience and personal hygiene
reasons as well. It is important to note that contraception canalso have a role in the treatment of acne, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual migraines, and pelvic pain due to endometriosis as well as decreasing the risk of endometrial, ovarianand colorectal cancers. The decision regarding which method
is best for you can be made with your primary care or OB/
GYN provider. For women on flight status the use of contraceptives that contain hormones is acceptable and is documented as information only on the flight physical.

FS: In the US, approximately 45% of pregnancies are unintended. Within the military, the number of unplanned pregnancies is even higher. Having a reliable form of contraception is an
important consideration for women in the military since there
are some regulatory limitations that go along with pregnancy.
For example, women who are pregnant cannot deploy and servein a combat zone. When it comes to Aviation, initial applicants
for flight school are considered disqualified until 6 weeks after
delivery assuming they are fully recovered at that time. Rated
aircrew members who become pregnant can be on flight status
with approval from their OB/GYN physician. However, there
are restrictions. For example, the Aeromedical Policy Letter(APL) states that during gestational weeks 12-25, flight is allowed but restricted to “multi-engine, non-ejection seat, fixed
wing aircraft with dual-pilot status and a cabin altitude less thanor equal to 10,000 feet”. These restrictions limit female helicopter pilots to flight simulator duty only throughout the durationof their pregnancy and until fully recovered after delivery. If thepregnancy is uncomplicated, it is listed as information only on
the flight physical (i.e. no waiver is needed).

Screening
When it comes to well woman exams and pap smears thatscreen for cervical cancer, the APL does not make any specificrecommendations. However, from a primary care perspective,
within the Aeromedical community we follow guidelines put
forth by the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF).
Screening is done by a pathologist through microscopic examination of cells obtained from the cervix during the well woman
exam. This is usually reviewed as part of the flight physical. Currently, the USPSTF recommendation is that women ages 21-29
receive cervical cancer screening every 3 years and for womenages 30-65 it is done every 5 years along with co-testing for
the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Human Papilloma Virus
infections are very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, virtually everyone will get infected
at least one time in their lives. A cervical infection with HPV
is usually without symptoms and resolves without any medical
intervention or complications. However, if the infection persists,
it has the potential to cause cervical cancer. Almost all casesof cervical cancer can be attributed to HPV infection. If abnormalities are detected on cervical cancer screening, there may
be follow up procedures or testing that is done depending on
the type of abnormality. Abnormalities are classified as atypicalsquamous cells, low grade squamous cell intraepithelial lesion
or high-grade squamous cell intraepithelial lesion. If there areabnormalities detected there may be a waiver required for theflight physical. This, like follow up care, depends on the type ofabnormality. Remember, women’s health is an important part of
medical readiness and safety in flight!
Fly Safe!

Options
There are numerous options available for contraception:
contraceptive pills and patches; intra-uterine devices (IUD)
that are effective for up to 12 years; implantable devices thatare effective for up to 5 years, injectable medication that works
for approximately 3 months. There are also barrier methods
such as condoms, diaphragms and sponges and surgicaloptions such as tubal ligation for yourself and vasectomy foryour male partner. There are also practices such as withdrawal,
fertility awareness (aka Rhythm Method) and abstinence.
All methods have different side effects including effects on
fertility and menstrual bleeding as well as different levels ofeffectiveness in preventing pregnancy.
Some things to consider when deciding on the rightmethod of contraception for you include future-plans for
pregnancy, overall health status, effectiveness in preventing
pregnancy, whether the method uses hormones and ease ofuse of the method. For example, women who plan to become
pregnant within a year or two probably should not opt for
an IUD. However, for women who do not plan to become
pregnant and who want an easy to use method that requires
little planning, an IUD might be a good option. Women who
are deploying or frequently going to the field, may choose
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

By MAJ (Dr.) Laura S. Ball

Question for the Flight Surgeon?
If you have a question you would like addressed, email it to
AskFS@quad-a.org; we’ll try to address it in the future. Seeyour unit flight surgeon for your personal health issues.
The views and opinions offered are those of the author
and researchers and should not be construed as an official
Department of the Army position unless otherwise stated
MAJ Laura Ball, MD is a flight surgeon at the U.S. Army Schoolof Aviation Medicine at Fort Rucker, Alabama
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July 31, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

29

July 31, 2020

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY MAJ ROBERT FELLINGHAM

Special Focus u Training
Resources That Enable Large Scale
Combat Operations (LSCO) Capability
By COL Stephen W. Owen and COL Jimmy L. Meacham, U.S. Army RetiredG

one are the days when you found out doctrine hadchanged because you received boxes of new manuals via
the unit mailroom. Just because the Army Publishing
Directorate (APD) posts a new doctrinal manual on theinternet or the USAACE Directorate of Training andDoctrine (DOTD) hangs a new training package on their
homepage, nothing has essentially changed until units
are aware of, knowledgeable on, and executing the newprinciples and training approaches defined within these new
products. Modernization has enabled increased accessibility
to information. However, awareness remains a challenge.
For those of you who are on specific e-mail distribution lists,
participate in Aviation Enterprise meetings, or regularly
read Branch professional publications (e.g., Aviation Digest,
newsletters), you may be up to date on the latest doctrinaland training products coming out of Fort Rucker and thisarticle may appear to be redundant. That would be ideal. For
everyone else, this article is another opportunity for us at
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

An AH-64 Apache from 1-3rd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 12th
Combat Aviation Brigade fires its rockets downrange during aerial gunnery
tables on Mar. 5, 2020.

DOTD to spread the word on the latest products available to
the Aviation Warfighter that support building and sustaining
Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) capability.
A teaser of Army Aviation’s capstone doctrinal manual
updates was provided in last year’s July AAAA Magazine
DOTD article. Field Manual (FM) 3-04, Army Aviation,
and Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 3-04.1, Aviation
Tactical Employment, were finally published in April andMay of this year, respectively, after a lengthy development
process that included numerous editing iterations andreviews. These aviation products were published in rapid
succession since they are closely nested with each other
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July 31, 2020

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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July 31, 2020

U.S. ARMYAVIATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE GRAPHIC

U.S. ARMYAVIATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE GRAPHIC

and required changes to conform to the latest version of our
Army’s FM 3-0, Operations, which introduced new doctrinalterms, updated figures, and a new operational framework.
FM 3-04 provides an “up and out” discussion of Army
Aviation appropriate for brigade level commanders andstaffs. It provides the context and overall concept for training,
employing, and integrating aviation in Army and joint,interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational operations.
It is synched with higher level doctrine updates for LSCO
and provides additional guidance on operations in contested
airspace, information on expeditionary aviation operations,and updated references to Army, Multi-Service, and Joint
doctrine. (See Page 32 - Graphic #1)
ATP 3-04.1 was designed for the primary audience of
junior leaders at the brigade level and below, though it isapplicable to other members and leaders of the profession ofarms as well as trainers and educators throughout the Aviation
Branch. It was developed to serve as the primary reference
and teaching document for all company-level aviation tacticaltask planning, preparation, and execution. It was deliberatelyorganized to identify and then expand on descriptions of
the performance steps listed in company-level Training and
Evaluation Outlines (T&EO) and utilizes a troop leading
procedure framework to assist leaders in progressing throughmission planning and preparation. (See page 32 -Graphic #2)

Unit Nomenclature Change

A very significant change in both the FM 3-04 and the
ATP 3-04.1 is the change in nomenclature of our two typesof AH-64 Apache formations. To minimize the potential
for confusion and provide greater distinction between the
primary mission focus of the two formations, the previous
Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) and its subordinate
units are now the Attack Battalion (AB), Attack Company(AC), and Attack Platoon. The former Attack Reconnaissance
Squadron (ARS), including the Heavy Attack Reconnaissance
Squadron (HARS) nomenclature used during the Aviation
Restructure Initiative (ARI), and its subordinate units are now
the Air Cavalry Squadron (ACS), Air Cavalry Troop (ACT),
and Air Cavalry Platoon. The name changes on the Table ofOrganization and Equipment (TOE) documents supportingthese organizations are being processed and will follow inshort order.
Updates to ATP3-04.7, Army Aviation Maintenance,
and Training Circular (TC) 3-04.71, Aviation MaintenanceTraining Program, are in progress. Changes will include:
LSCO considerations as they pertain to the principles ofsustainment, aviation countermeasure systems, and sustainment
information system vulnerabilities; synchronization withrecently published FM 3-0, Operations, FM 4-0, Sustainment
Operations, and FM 3-04; and improved nesting between thetwo documents. These documents should be available by theend of the calendar year.
Ensuring our aviation warfighters are receiving andembracing the latest changes in aviation doctrine is difficult.
Overcoming this challenge is vital to empower our aviatorswith the awareness, depth of knowledge, and confidence tomake on the spot corrections when they witness our brothers
in arms and leaders using incorrect terms or improper planning
procedures with reference to aviation doctrine. No professional
wants to get caught short on his/her doctrinal knowledge.
But most importantly, no professional wants to use words
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

incorrectly when needed to achieve common understanding
during the planning, preparation, and execution of operations.
Know your doctrine and share your knowledge at every
opportunity to spread the word.

Training

One method used by the Branch to support commanders’training needs is the development of a Training Support
Package (TSP). TSPs contain the learning objectives, training
sequence, presentation material, and list of required training
support items needed to effectively train the topic in theoperational domain. Factors including personnel operational
tempo (temporary duty to a training location vice homestation), complexity of material, length of time required to
execute the training, availability of training resources, andfocus of training (individual or collective) are considered when
making the decision to develop a TSP for unit implementation.
TSP topics are determined based on command feedback,observed trends, and anticipated requirements resulting fromthe fielding of new systems, capabilities, or procedures. Severalof the more recently published products include:n Emergency Response Method (ERM) (May 20)
n Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) ( Jan 20)
n CH-47, UH-60, & UH-72 Rescue Hoist (Oct 19)
n AH-64 E to D Maintenance Test Pilot (MTP) (Feb 19)
n Initial Maintenance Test Pilot Evaluator (ME) (Feb 19)
n Terrain Flight Operations (Nov 18)
n UH-60 M to L Maintenance Text Pilot (MTP) ( Jul 18)
n Volcano ( Jan 18)
n Radio Frequency (RF) Threat Maneuver ( Jan 18)
For ease of access, all Aviation Branch TSPs can be reachedfrom the DOTD Flight Training Branch homepage at:https://www.us.army.mil/content/armyako/en/
mycommunities/Home/groups/TRADOC/Groups/C AC/
Groups/USAACE/Groups/USAACEStaff/Groups/
Directorates/Groups/DOTD/Divisions/TrainingDivision/
Branches/DOTDflighttrainingbranch/f iles.asset.html/
content/usergenerated/asi/mongo/content/armyako/en/
mycommunities/Home/groups/TRADOC/Groups/C AC/
Groups/USAACE/Groups/USAACEStaff/Groups/Directorates/
Groups/DOTD/Divisions/TrainingDivision/Branches/
DOTDflighttrainingbranch/f iles/jcr:content/content/primary/library/tsps-Fqsc.html.

Summary

Our doctrine describes how we fight, and our training isdesigned to achieve proficiency in executing the doctrine.
Both our doctrine and our training must continuously
evolve to ensure we maintain an advantage over our enemies.
It is our responsibility as professionals to ensure we areknowledgeable on current products and to recommend
changes where necessary to continuously improve our ability
to win the next fight.
COL Stephen W. Owen was the director at
the time of this writing and COL (Ret.)
Jimmy L. Meacham, the deputy director of
the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence
Directorate of Training and Doctrine, at Ft.
Rucker, AL.
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July 31, 2020

Flight Reference Cards in use

Army Aviation Emergency
Response MethodologyFor over fifty years, the Aviation
branch has embraced a method of
responding to aircraft emergencies where crews must rapidly recall andperform immediate action steps frommemory without referring to a checklist. This approach was essential during
Army Aviation’s formative years, when
Army aircraft were almost exclusively
single engine, had limited redundancies, and were sometimes even flown bya single pilot. As our branch matured
the emphasis on rote memorization of
emergency steps persisted; this remains
one of the foundational ways Army
Aviators are trained and evaluatedtoday. However, our technology has
evolved: nearly all aircraft now include
redundant systems that, in many cases,

permit crews time to assess and react toemergencies with measured action.
Whenever Army forces enter a new
operational environment, the rate ofClass A Aviation mishaps spikes noticeably. The Army Combat Readiness Center attributes this spike to several factors,
including poor crew coordination, lackof discipline, and failure to execute tasks
to standard. Based on this trend, and as
we continue preparing for future LargeScale Combat Operations (LSCO), Aviation senior leaders deemed a repeat of
the historical spike to be unacceptable.
Not only will LSCO place exceptional
demands on flight crews to complete
their missions, losses of personnel andaircraft from improper emergency responses could have potentially strategiclevel implications for our nation.

Phase 1: Task 1070

Emergency Response Method
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

In 2019, The United States Army
Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) began researching and developing
an emergency response approach optimized for modern aircraft and crews toimprove training for aircraft emergencies and also minimize future spikes in34

By LTC Jamie LaValley

mishaps upon entry into new environments. Senior Aviators throughout USAACE analyzed best practices acrossthe U.S. Joint services and allied nations,
identifying how they teach, execute, andevaluate aircraft emergency procedures.
Many other Aviation forces employ astandardized method for responding
to any emergency, which enables flightcrews to function as a team instead of asa series of individuals. It quickly became
clear that a similar overarching approach
was needed for Army crewmembers.
As a result of the research, USAACE implemented a two-phased
approach to modernize Army Aviation’s approach to training for aircraft
emergencies. In Phase 1, completed in
April 2020, USAACE published updated versions of shared rotary wing
Task 1070 (Respond to Emergencies)in all helicopter aircrew training manuals. Task 1070 now defines the Army’s
standard method for crews to respondto any aircraft emergency.
The Emergency Response Method(FADEC-F) in Task 1070 reinforces themost basic survival requirements for any
Aviation crewmember. Crews must fly
July 31, 2020

U.S. ARMY AVIATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE PHOTO

Special Focus u Training

Manned Aviation 35-year Class A Mishaps and Ratetheir aircraft first and foremost - thenestablish a shared understanding of thesituation; conduct malfunction analysis;
execute emergency steps; and communicate a plan of action - all while maintaining control of the aircraft throughout the situation. For many experienced
pilots, the task is similar to something
they have developed over time such as,‘aviate – navigate – communicate;’ ‘alert– identify – react;’ ‘maintain aircraft control – analyze the situation – take proper
action.’ This approach also follows
warning messages printed throughout
all aircraft operator’s manuals: the single
most important consideration in any
emergency is aircraft control.

Phase 2: Flight Reference Cards (FRCs)

The phrase ‘by the checklist’ is commonly used to acknowledge that individuals perform specific technical tasks
more correctly by referring to a checklist
than when executing them purely frommemory. However, all Army aircrew
members are taught throughout initial
Aviation instruction, with reinforcement
through unit-level training and evaluations, that they must know all underlined
emergency procedure steps verbatim.
Thus, in real-world emergencies many
crews will attempt to recall these steps
from memory even when they have time
to refer to the checklist. As a result, crews
do not routinely leverage all information available to them and sometimes
make cognitive errors when attempting
to recall critical information during an
emergency. These mistakes have recently
caused flight crews to place otherwise
flyable aircraft into unrecoverable situations – with tragic results.
Phase 2 of this effort will therefore provide redeveloped aircrew checklists in a
TM 1-1520-XXX-FRC
Issue X Xxx XXXX

W-7

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT C

SINGLE ENGINE FAILURE (ENG1 FAIL or ENG2 FAIL WARNING)
Indicationsor+ audible “WARNING (x3)”
ENG1 FAIL
ENG2 FAIL- Continued decrease in NG speed- Decrease in TQ on the failed engine- Increase in TQ on the engaged engine- Possible droop in NR
Immediate Actions
Not single engine capable:- External cargo — Jettison (as required)- FLT DIR CPLR — Uncoupled- DAFCS modes — OFF
Single engine capable:- Establish safe single engine flight condition or land
Urgency to Land
- LAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE — Not single engine capable- LAND AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE — Single engine capable
Subsequent Actions- F Affected engine — Check- EMER ENG SHUTDOWN — Affected engine
Considerations- ENGINE RESTART DURING FLIGHT (Card W-8) may be attempted
if no visible damage to the engine is present.
- When operating singe engine for extended periods, the second engine must be motored for 10 seconds every 30 minutes.

Example FRC Emergency Card
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT C

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

W-7

Flight Reference Card format. The FRCs,
currently being developed for publicationby the Army Aviation and Missile Command, complement the Emergency Response Method by providing streamlined
emergency diagnosis and action steps,
along with amplifying information andpertinent warnings or cautions. The FRCs
feature intuitive features such as tabs andcolor coding to facilitate rapid access to
specific pages so crews are not forced torecall critical information from memory
during most emergencies. The FRCs
promote the physical use of the checklist
throughout all phases of flight, and especially during diagnosis and response tomost aircraft emergencies. The FRC format will change the “rote memorization”
culture present throughout Army Aviation today.

Summary

Products from both Phase 1 andPhase 2 include standardized training
packages and implementation guidance to help units develop a foundational understanding of the Emergency
Response Method and FRCs across all
formations. Task 1070 will be phased
into all USAACE flight training, withemphasis first on instructor pilot courses so new graduates are empowered tocontinue this culture shift throughout
the force. Initial Entry Rotary Wing
training at Fort Rucker will also quickly
implement the updated Task 1070,
thereby establishing primacy in the next
generation of Army aircrew members.
Through this change, Army Aviation
will build thinking crews who analyze
emergencies in context with the situation and take measured action. This is afundamental change to the way Armyaircrews approach emergency proceduretraining and the way that instructors
evaluate them. The overarching emergen35

cy handling logic in FADEC-F teaches
aircrews to respond to emergencies incontext with the situation and as a team.
In all situations, and especially when operating in complex, high-threat environments associated with LSCO, crews must
be able place to their aircraft in the mostsurvivable position - whether that means
autorotating at best glide speed to the safest landing area or reconfiguring aircraft
systems to continue mission. FADEC-F
enhances the survivability of flight crews
by prioritizing crewmember response to
the most vital elements first. Additionally,
our modernized aircraft only have a few
emergency steps that must be performed
immediately from memory. Outside ofthose critical emergencies, pilots will now
be able to quickly access specific fault diagnosis and emergency information appropriate for each situation. The FRCs
will be more functional and intuitive thanthe current checklist but a change in culture to embrace the information in thecards is equally important.
Army Aviation has provided over
50 years of unmatched support to theground force commander around theworld in every imaginable Operational
Environment. The Emergency Response
Methodology - Task 1070 (FADEC-F)
and Flight Reference Cards - will enhance survivability of Army Aviation forthe missions of today and the future in
LSCO and beyond. In doing so, Army
Aviation will continue to provide thevery best support to U.S. and Allied
ground forces wherever it is called.
LTC Jamie LaValley is the
director of the Directorate of
Evaluation and Standardization, at the United States
Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker, AL.
July 31, 2020

Training Army Aviation for Large Scale
Combat Operations
By LTC Tim Jaeger, MAJ Tito Carrion, and MAJ Brian Haas

During the last year at the National Training Center(NTC), the Eagle team has continued to focus aviation
training for Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO)
in a Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE). Eagle
team has continued to build upon successful rotations fromeach aviation task force and will employ (and share) lessons
learned to build a tough and realistic scenario to challenge a
combat aviation brigade headquarters along with several of its
subordinate battalions in an upcoming rotation.

AH-64s conduct re-arm and refuel operations in preparation for a deliberate
attack in the National Training Center.
Aviators prepare their UH-60 for an early morning mission at the National
Training Center.

teleconferencing and are always available to schedule a leader
professional development event for your organization. Eachof our team primaries that lines up with a Warfighting Function (WfF) has produced monthly lessons learned publishedthrough the Center for Army Lessons Learned, as well asmonthly outreach papers which are shared by Operations
Group with each brigade and division level commander in theArmy.
In addition to papers, emails and phone calls, we also strive
to pull the resident knowledge on the team together for video
teleconferencing (something we have all grown exponentiallybetter at over the last two months) with units as they prepare
for upcoming rotations and deployments. While we focus these
LPDs to the unit’s request, we use our own observations andinsights from past rotations to link recently updated aviation
doctrine to a unit’s training plan.

Large Scale Combat Operations for Aviation

The NTC has committed to facilitate a rotation for a division
headquarters and a number of its units, to include an aviationbrigade, to shape the deep fight and set the battlefield for its
brigade combat teams as they enter the battlespace. The Aviationenterprise continues to evolve and reassess training, operations
and Soldier tasks needed to be successful to fight and win our
nation’s potential next war.
With a complete revamp of the rotational design, the Eagle
team has been working hard to develop a scenario that presents the opportunity for the aviation brigade to conduct multiple operations simultaneously with each mission design series(MDS) aircraft, and in turn, present multiple dilemmas to theworld-class opposing force at Ft. Irwin, CA.

Continuing to Train at Home-station

Communicating with the Force and Outreach

The most often asked question of Eagle Team is “What do
we do at home-station to prepare for a rotation?” We continue
to be committed to helping the Aviation community to prepare for their upcoming rotations and deployments. In conjunction with Operations Group, the team produced a portionof a Preparing for LSCO handbook that was sent to Army

Along with evolving rotational design and integrating aviation in each operation at echelon, the Eagle team continues tobe open for requests for information, common lessons learned
and best observed tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).
We have hosted several professional development events via
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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July 31, 2020

NTC EAGLE TEAM COURTESY PHOTOS

Special Focus u Training

leaders and will be published in an upcoming Center for Army
Lessons Learned (CALL) handbook. This document describes
a way for aviation battalions to build a tiered approach to theirhome-station training plans. The plan should build on individual training opportunities, integrate aircraft sections andplatoons into adjacent unit live fires and culminate in a fieldtraining exercise. This stresses and incorporates as much of theunit as possible and gives the staff multiple operations to command and control in an austere environment. An excerpt of thearticle is highlighted in the box, and if you would like more
information, please reach out.

Future Changes

To remain relevant to the force, the Eagle team is in constant contact with Aviation commanders and leaders throughout the Army. We strive to make scenarios relevant to Aviation
training through “division directed” missions during the rotation as well as coaching close aviation headquarters integration with the adjacent brigade combat team in the rotation.
This allows aviation units to train both developing the BCT’s
deep fight with attack aviation while enabling close maneuver through integrated attack aviation. Also paramount to thiseffort is aviation’s contribution to the sustainment war fighting function. Well established resupply and constant support
through on-call MEDEVAC assets enable the ground commander’s operations by quickly moving critical parts and personnel throughout the operational environment.
Also, in the coming rotations, the Army has adjusted how
aviation units will deploy to the National Training Center.
Directing an attack aviation task force deploys to the NTC
and support their organic division BCTs. This decision willallow for better integrated home-station training as well as
allow commanders at echelon to train adjacent to units they
will be expected to fight with when they arrive at the NTC.

CH-47 crew-chief loads equipment in support of a resupply mission for anarmored brigade combat team at the National Training Center.

Excerpt from CALL Upcoming Article

Additionally, incoming rotational units will now conduct anexpeditionary Reception Staging Onward movement and Integration. Operating and living out of their tactical assemblyarea; requiring the unit to plan to go directly into operations,sustainment and security.
Along with the changes to the rotational design for theincoming units, the Eagle Team is going through our ownchanges. By the end of the calendar year, we plan to be operating our new fleet of Lakotas out of Bike Lake. We have been
sending our own pilots to transition courses and, along with
the NTC headquarters, planning for the divesture of our OH58s – some of which have served us well for 14,000+ hours!
As always, the Eagle Team is excited to continue to coachand train our force in the upcoming year. We stand ready tohelp in any way we can as you prepare for your missions, so
please feel free to reach out for anything you may need.
Above the Best in the Desert!

This article is written as a series of ‘a-ways’ from theperspective of the National Training Center’s Eagle Team,
using a long-range training plan approach to highlight
focus areas and spur ideas and thought within yourorganization. In the broadest terms, every Aviation leader
should ask themselves:n What training does our immediate organization need toaccomplish in a gated training strategy?
n Have I, our organization’s leader, provided input to thebattalion S3 to include that training in the unit’s overall
training strategy?

Commanders must additionally ask:n What does the team of teams need to do in order to be
successful?
n Have I been involved to make the right decisions at thecorrect time? Have I driven training for the organization?
n Have I focused our training to meet our higher
commander’s intent?

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

LTC Tim Jaeger is the senior aviation
trainer at the National Training Center at
Fort Irwin, CA, and the former commanderof 4th Bn., 4th CAB at Ft. Carson, CO;
MAJ Tito Carrion is the deputy aviation
trainer / XO mentor at NTC; and MAJ
Brian Haas is the senior aviation operations
trainer at the NTC.
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July 31, 2020

Special Focus u Training

A Year of Firsts: Division Deep Operations

Training at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center

By LTC(P) Phil Lamb and LTC Troy Gillett

Over the past year, and in conjunction with multiple enterprise
teammates, the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s ( JMRC) Falcon Team continues to develop innovative training opportunities in an effort toincrease quality, combined arms focused,training repetitions for rotational units.
While current combat training centers
focus remains on the brigade combat
team as the primary training audience,
the Falcons have refined exercise design.
They carve out a dedicated portion of therotational construct to now focus purely
on Aviation training objectives in the division’s deep fight. This includes the addition of combat aviation brigades (CABs)
to the training audience from both regionally aligned forces CABs and U.S.
Army Europe assigned Aviation units.
This effort more accurately replicatesa concept plan informed, near-peer fight,
executing large scale ground combat
operations. Leveraging the current integrated training environment along withreplication of peer and near-pear threats,
JMRC’s current division deep-fight sce-

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

nario generates tactical and operational
readiness while providing a realistic andchallenging opportunities for Aviation
formations at multiple echelons.
Long before the brigade combat
team uncoils from the tactical assemblyarea, JMRC leverages the Aviation assets in concert with other enablers above
brigade during division shaping operations. The desired end state is to enablesuccess in the brigade combat team fight(a task formerly conducted by DIVCAV
force structure). This is accomplished by
identifying, reporting, and destroying
threats in the division battlespace.

The Process

The targeting process guides the execution of the deep fight along with
combat battlefield injects from the Falcon team. Rotational units agree upon
specific training objectives aligned withassigned mission essential tasks which
could include movement to contact,
attacks out of contact, reconnaissance,
special operations infiltration, joint forcible entry, and/or air assault operations.
38

The agreement of training objectives
formed at the planning conference enables a tailored deep fight scenario built
around the Aviation unit’s level of training readiness and the commander’s focus areas for the rotation.
Each deep fight scenario utilizes theintegrated training environment providing a realistic large-scale ground combat
operations scenario in the live, virtual,and constructive worlds. Synchronization of these fights is key to the scenario
and must not disrupt the tactical scenario especially as the rotation transitions to
the normal brigade combat team fights
traditionally executed at combat training centers. This meticulously synchronized effort affords the Falcon team theability to execute live, virtual, and constructive worlds simultaneity and not
sequentially. Furthermore, this enhances
flexibility to execute purely constructive
or virtually if real-world weather or aircraft maintenance constrains training.
Although not the preferred method totrain aircrews due to integrated training environment constraints of replicatJuly 31, 2020

U.S. ARMY JMRC FALCON TEAM COURTESY PHOTO

An LUH-72 Lakota on
the ramp in the Alps.

ing realistic large scale ground combat
operations in Virtual Battlespace 3 andmultiple unified simulation environments, the available integrated training environment systems still provide agreat training repetition for command
posts operations at echelon.
The JMRC deep-fight scenario in thelive, virtual and constructive world enables an actual live unit to attrite enemy
forces versus the traditional notional attrition of the enemy in the corps’ and division’s area of operations. Each scenario
is carefully scripted to include JMRC’s
distinct joint and multinational operat-

hosts all three types of brigade combat
teams (Infantry, Armored, and Stryker)
as well as multinational brigades. U.S.
Aviation assets typically come from the12th CAB or from the regionally aligned
forces CAB. Division staff, whether U.S.
or multinational, enables the deep fightand provides the staff to staff interaction for the participating Aviation units.
CABs can choose to provide a commandand control node of varying degrees during the execution of the scenario.
For example, last summer during
Saber Junction 19, the 1st Infantry Division provided a main command post

training environment at JMRC. Saber
Junction 19 provided the framework
for the deep-fight scenario and allowed
the Falcon team to scale and mold each
exercise to best support the rotational
unit based on Aviation assets and higher
command participation.

Future Training

The two deep-fight scenario interactions executed this past year afforded theFalcon team the necessary analysis on
how to increase the rheostat on rigorous
Aviation training operations at JMRC.
Guiding the hand over the rheostat is theMulti-divisional strike coordination and reconnaissance (SCAR) exercise with the 1st Infantry
Division’s Joint Air-Ground Integration Cell.

ing environment. An example mission
usually executed during the deep-fightis the execution of Aviation operations
in conjunction with Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance (SCAR) as
recently conducted with the 1st Infantry
Division’s Joint Air-Ground Integration
Cell. The challenges of interoperability become apparent as Aviation units
participating in a division level SCAR
coordinate with a multinational division headquarters synchronizing Special
Operations Forces reconnaissance efforts, fires, rotary-wing and fixed-wing
assets all provided by allies and partner
nations. Each rotation provides JMRC
with unique and informative interoperability challenges due to changes in taskorganization and participation of varying multinational partners.

Task Organization/Participation

Task organizations and participation
during the deep fight scenario varied
throughout the past year due to JMRC’s
uniqueness of not being a rinse and repeat combat training center. JMRC
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

operating from Fort Riley and a division tactical command post along with a
CAB main command post, both operating out of the Hohenfels Training Area.
Additionally, 1st CAB brought not only
2-1 General Support Aviation Battalion as the live Aviation task force, bututilized the training opportunity for 1st
Squadron, 6th Cavalry and 3-1 Assault
Helicopter Battalion in the virtual andconstructive fights as well. The higherlevel command commitment during
Saber Junction 19 from 1ID enabled
the deep-fight and provided a fully
functional joint air-ground integration
center for the Aviation brigade to interact with for planning and execution ofshaping operations.
It was also the first time JMRC operated and executed the live, virtual, andconstructive fights with a higher command both stateside and at Hohenfels
Training Area. Saber Junction 19 rotation provided seven days solely dedicated to 1ID and 1 CAB training objectives
through the execution of division shaping operations utilizing the integrated
39

current Aviation commanding generals
training focus areas for both brigades
and battalions in preparation for either
mission command exercises or combat training center rotations. Whether
you’re a CAB headquarters or battalion
task force, JMRC offers up the ability
to tailor rotations focused on air-ground
operations and ensuring integration into
the combined arms team to include ina multinational environment. Future
deploying regionally aligned forces and
USAREUR based units are always welcomed to contact the Falcon team as we
remain dedicated to increasing lethality at echelon, and across the combinedarms teams, through rigorous repetitions
at the JMRC.
LTC (P) Lamb isthe senior Aviation
trainer and LTC
Gillett is the deputy
at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center ( JMRC); bothassigned to the Falcon Team in Hohenfels,
Germany.
July 31, 2020

U.S. ARMY JRTC COURTESY PHOTO

Special Focus u Training

Aviation at JRTC – 2020 and Beyond
By LTC John A. Morris IIIT

he year 2020 is shaping up as the “year of change”
here at the Joint Readiness Training Center ( JRTC).
Years of hard work are culminating in a modernized
way to train and prepare Army Aviation for the challenges
of tomorrow. From expanding the complexity of theAviation Scenario, to fielding new aircraft, and finding ways
to maintain readiness in a socially distanced environment,
JRTC is trail blazing new processes and procedures to train
for America’s next fight.
This past year completed the transition from the single
engine OH-58C to the LUH-72 Lakota. This process
began with the integration of the LUH as an opposing force(OPFOR) aircraft a few years ago and has recently culminatedin the transfer of our last LUH into the fleet. 1st Battalion,
5th Aviation Regiment currently flies and maintains 12
LUHs, with Operations Group (OPS GRP) and 1-5 AV
pilots working together to support rotational requirements.
With the introduction of this new aircraft, JRTC is exploring
several infrastructure upgrade options that will increasecapabilities and modernize Aviation support.
COVID-19 has forced us to reconsider our training methodology and afforded us time to develop new and inventive
ways to continue improving our formations. While training

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 25th CAB planning their initial jump,
20 September 2020.

in the current environment is more difficult, it provides us
with unlimited opportunities to innovate. The commanderof OPS GRP (COG) initiated the “Virtual JRTC” program,providing experienced observer controller trainer (OCT) support to the Army in an “as needed” basis. This program allows
individuals and units a direct line to the JRTC knowledge
base. So far, well over 100 individuals and units have taken
advantage of this opportunity and conducted training withvarious members of OPS GP. This program will remain in
effect after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and provide
additional training opportunities in the future.

Expansion

In 2008, Fort Polk started a 10-year period of expansion,
growing the installation by approximately 42,000 acres andmarking the largest land acquisition by the US Army sinceWorld War II. This past year JRTC conducted the first rotation that fully utilized this newly acquired land as a training
area for both ground and air maneuver units. As aviators, thisopens a new menu of rotational options. We now have the40

July 31, 2020

ability to increase the distance between Aviation tactical assembly areas (TAAs) and the supported brigade combat team(BCT) by 20-40 km. This forces the Aviation Task Force toemploy their digital systems to communicate and synchronize planning with the supported headquarters at a distance,
replicating the conditions in a dynamic and fluid combat environment. Distance-based challenges also make liaison officer (LNO) selection/training and full communication systemrehearsals critical to success. The added acreage provides theAviation Task Force with more options for TAA and forward area refueling point (FARP) selection and occupation
throughout the scenario, making every rotation more unique.

TrendsAs an OCT, I cannot pass up the opportunity to touchon the topic of trends. While there are many tasks that units
continue to struggle with during rotations, Battalion-level
planning continues to plague every unit’s ability to operate in
a complex and dynamic environment. I have been impressedat the level of planning competency at the company level
given the experience level of the officers and NCOs at thatechelon. However, after every rotation, my peers and I agree
that battalion-level staff planning does not reach the minimum
level of detail and synchronization required to succeed at JRTC.
There appears to be a substantial difference in the amount oforganizational energy we spend training our company level
planners vs our battalion level planners. Some of this correlates
to the time we are able to stabilize planners at echelon.
Personnel turnover at the staff level prevents building
a stable planning team, and JRTC OCTs routinely see
inexperienced task force planners attempting to plan andsynchronize battalion-level missions for the first time. The
experienced field grades help but are unable to compensate in atime-constrained, complex, and uncomfortable environment.
Repetition matters, but units’ home station training iterations
usually lack sufficient quality.
Outliers to this observation are units with Air Cavalry
Leaders Course graduates. These individuals demonstrate agreater capacity to synchronize actions and produce more cohesive battalion-level products. We observe that officers who
graduate this course (and the Cavalry Leaders Course at Fort
Benning) are well ahead of their peers in their ability to leadplanning teams and produce cohesive, well structured, executable plans. The Air Cavalry Leaders Course is the best planning course Army Aviation has access to, and it is underutilized. Any battalion could solve a large portion of the problems
they experience at JRTC by investing in this course to prepare
its junior officers to excel in complex planning scenarios.
Over the course of my time here at the Joint ReadinessTraining Center, I have witnessed substantial evolution intraining scenario design. The Combined Training Centers
have pushed the boundaries of what is possible and caused us
to reevaluate old methods to validate their continued relevance.
From talking to our Brigade and Battalion Commanders
across the Aviation enterprise, I’m extremely excited about
where we are heading and the course the branch has charted.
Even with our current set of distractions and restrictions,units and individuals are pioneering new avenues of training
and continue to discover better ways to improve the force.
All The Way!

WE ARE YULISTA
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Engineering
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MaintenanceTraining

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LTC John A. Morris III is the senior aviation trainer (A06) atthe Joint Readiness Training Center ( JRTC) at Fort Polk, LA.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

41

July 31, 2020

Special Focus u Simulation

Enhancing Leader Developmentwith Simulation
By COL John M. Ferrell and Mr. Wade B. Becnel

We know a thing or two, because
we’ve seen a thing or two!

s the outgoing leadershipteam at the Directorate of
Simulation at Fort Rucker, AL
with a combined experience of over 68
years of service that include 35 years of
training with simulations, we wanted
to provide some parting thoughts
on how to best leverage the tools of
the trade to get the best outcome forleader development training at homestation. For the most part, members of
the Aviation Branch are very aware of
how to utilize high fidelity individual
aircraft simulators to execute our pilot/crew training programs as prescribedin numerous regulations and manuals.
Cognizant of the significant training
challenges associated with large scale
combat operations, we need to adopt
similar standards of excellence for leader
development opportunities withincollective training events that could beenhanced by using synthetic enablers.
The intent of this article to provide someideas on training philosophy as it relates
to leader development by highlighting
how simulation applied to collective
training scenarios can help develop
those traits we want to develop in ouraviation leaders.

The Commander’s Role in Hitting
the Training Target

Students of the Air Cavalry Leaders Course conduct mission analysis and wargaming in preparation for
their upcoming fight in the collective training simulators within the Aviation Warfighting Simulation Center.

Forces, and FM 7-0, Train to Win in aComplex World, collectively provide thebasic framework of doctrinal guidance
that commanders should follow whenplanning and executing operations;specifically training in this case. Both
documents highlight the criticalityof the Army Operations Process andthe core functions of the commander
to understand, visualize, describe, anddirect (see figure 1).
Appendix A and B of the January
2020 version of the Army Aviation
Training Strategy (AATS) provide an
in-depth review of synthetic enablers
that are available to enhance unit training
efforts. If we are going to replicate the

USAACE DOS GRAPHICADP 6-0, Mission Command– Command and Control of Army

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT JANE CAREYA– Farmers Insurance commercial

Figure 1. The commander’s role in the operational process.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

42

operational and mission variables oflarge scale combat operations (LSCO)at home station, then we must expand
our vision of training beyond standalone
live training efforts and incorporate
appropriate synthetic tools to expand
training fidelity. Enhancing training
will require junior leaders who are
comfortable with such tools and how
to incorporate such tools into training
design and management. Unfortunately,over the past 18+ years, the aggressive
operational tempo required to meet ourCountry’s expectations has inadvertently
created an environment where training
was structured by higher headquarters
to optimize production of units for theirnext deployment. While this appeared
to be the best decision at that time tosupport our deployment requirements,
we have unintentionally minimized
one of the best leader development
opportunities possible: developing andconducting training.
To hit the envisioned training readiness target, you must plan and set conditions for success. Commanders need to
articulate the training challenge, visualize what the unit needs to accomplish
in terms of readiness, describe the readiJuly 31, 2020

ness end state, direct the unit towards
that goal and foster an innovative unit
training culture. The simple mental
model shown here (figure 2) lays out thelinkage between the Commander’s rolein the operational process tied to the
key factors to ensure training is properly
planned and executed.
Coaching your junior leaders to use
this mental model is a tremendous
leader development opportunity for
Commanders to exploit. As part ofthe operational process, Commanders
can explain their understanding of
the training environment, visualize
readiness objectives, describe the desiredend state, and direct unit activities
towards achieving the training readinessgoals. When coached by their seniorleaders, junior leaders can incorporate
their Commander’s guidance and use
the model shown to guide training plandevelopment and execution efforts.
Ensuring that leader development is
integrated into these training events
can help shape the experiential learning
outcomes to develop intuitive, dynamic
and adaptive leaders we need to compete
on the modern battlefield.

Planning to Fail

Good judgment comes fromexperience, and experience comesfrom bad judgment.

– Rita Mae Brown

A collective training scenario shouldincorporate mission command guidance
that must be assessed by the training
unit’s leadership. As the tactical scenario
unfolds, the unit’s leadership makes tactical decisions that are executed throughthe leader’s tactical synchronization ofsubordinate crews and weapon platforms
to achieve a mission objective. Unlike
immediate action battle drills associatedwith crew level training efforts, collective training will have elements of tactical uncertainty which will stress leaders to
execute effective mission command andcrews to execute their crew tasks within
the leadership’s intent and Combined
Arms Training Strategy (CATS) standards. The introduction of more capable
weapon platforms linked by digital meansincreases the challenge of achieving collective proficiency. The incorporation andsynchronization of multiple digital capabilities, ranging from sensor to weapons,within a tactical environment will place aheavy cognitive load on and between aircrews and their leaders.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

Figure 2. Aviator Training Next Experimental Approach.

Success on the modern battlefield,
particularly given the more complex
operating environment, will requireleaders that can expertly visualize theentire battlespace, rapidly adapt tochanges and lead formations throughthe complexity, making order out ofchaos. Emphasizing complex exercisesthat challenge the battle staff throughthe planning process must be thenorm. We must involve leaders at alllevels in these events, challenge themwith tough scenarios, enhanced withappropriate synthetic enablers, which
require depth of thought and decisive
leadership to execute.
Because training objectives are so
important, our exercises need to becomplex and mentally challenging; drive
many staff processes simultaneously,
and present significant operational
challenges. We must avoid the tempting
opportunities to “dial it down”, referringto the complexity of the scenario or
enemy aggressiveness, and embracevolatility, uncertainty, complexity, andambiguity. We should give the enemy
a vote on the synthetic battlefield, thus
forcing the training audience to think
and adapt. If our current doctrine
calls for our forces to provide enemy
commanders with multiple dilemmas,
we need put our own leaders through thepaces to deal with that same problem.
Like pushing our muscles in physicalexercise to expand our strength andstamina, e we must also push our mental
faculties where units might fail in our
simulation training events. As most
seasoned leaders will tell you, failure
can be a powerful teacher, and it may
be better to push units and leaders to
43

fail in a synthetic environment, rather
than overwhelm their cognitive capacity
during live training or worse yet, in
combat. We need to design scenariosthat push staffs and leaders to failure,then AAR and repeat. Conduct as many
repetitions as necessary until they get it
right consistently. Commanders shouldbe allowed to forego some of the training
objectives on the fly (e.g., routine battle
drill), to ensure that quality training takes
place on the tougher scenarios that will
mean success or failure in the real fight.

Conclusion

As we rapidly move towards a
future of networked weapons, cloudcomputing, and artificial intelligence,
we must continue to place leader
development at the front of the line interms of preparing for the next fight.
Developing the right set of leaders tolead our lethal formations will require
challenging collective training efforts.
The Army has expended considerable
resources and will continue to do sowith the Army’s Synthetic Training
Environment (STE), in capable
synthetic enablers. It is our job to coach,teach, and mentor junior leaders to be
comfortable with synthetic enablers.
Knowing how to exploit those tools to
expand the breadth and depth of leader
experience is necessary to fight and win
on the next battlefield.
COL John M. Ferrell is the director and
Mr. Wade B. Becnel the deputy directorof the U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence Directorate of Simulation at
Fort Rucker, AL.
July 31, 2020

Special Focus u Simulation

Aviator Training Next –An Experiment in Virtual Reality By MAJ Chris McFarland

The Team and Plan

Planning and executing the ATN
program required the clear identificationof responsibilities across a multifunctional team to facilitate proactive collaboration. The USAACE Directorateof Simulation (DOS) assumed responsibilities as the project management lead
and worked directly with Aviation andMissile Center (AvMC) and the contractor Science Applications International
Corporation (SAIC) to establish the
ATN technical capability. 110th Aviation Brigade (110th AB) and the Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD)
led the experimental training design andintegration effort. The United States
Military Academy (USMA) Operations
Research Center (ORCEN) and U.S.
Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL), working with 110th AB
and DOTD, defined appropriate datacollection and assessment metrics to
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

USMA ORCEN GRAPHIC

T

he U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence (USAACE) continuallyassesses opportunities to enhancecurrent, and future, aviation-training efforts with cutting-edge simulation capabilities. Considering emerging lessons
learned from the Air Forces’ Pilot Training Next (PTN) fixed-wing training initiative, USAACE began a series of test
programs at Fort Rucker, starting back in
August 2019, to assess the effectiveness ofvirtual reality (VR) technology to supplement and enhance Initial Entry Rotary
Wing (IERW) training capabilities. Initial feedback from this ongoing study
indicates that commercial off the shelftechnology (COTS) VR can support valid
pilot training for initial entry students.
The overarching goal of the USAACE program, called Aviator Training
Next (ATN), seeks to produce more proficient initial entry students by reinforcing basic flight maneuver tasks. ATN
design incorporated the basic concept ofa flight-training program that increased
frequency and repetition using a lowcost COTS virtual trainer, commercial
flight training software, and cognitive
measurement assessments.

A comparison between ATN VR students and control group non-VR students’ performance.

enable a comparison between students
enrolled in VR training and those in
traditional flight training. Using the established metrics, the research team developed an extensive Design of Experiment (DOE) that intended to answer themost important question: Can the ATN
device replicate the training tasks, conditions, and standards in accordance with
the Aircrew Training Manual (ATM)?
As designed and implemented, ATN
incorporated the most current generation of COTS VR capabilities, alongwith advances in learning science, into
the Basic Army Aviator Course (BAAC)
portion of the overall IERW program.
ATN focused on the performance ofstudents culminating with their second
major performance check ride (P2) after
approximately day 45 of training. Each
ATN flight class had a control groupand two VR groups ranging from 10-12
students in size. These two VR groups
executed slightly different Course Management Plans (CMPs) in order to determine the most effective mix of VR simulation flight periods with lesser amountsof live flight training to assess proficiency in base tasks against the control groupthat flew the current BAAC CMP.
44

Training Phases

For the first phase of BAAC training, ATN classes had to fly the same
five tasks to standard that the control
group executed: (1) Hovering flight,(2) Visual Meteorological Conditions(VMC) maneuvers, (3) VMC takeoff,(4) VMC landing, and (5) traffic pattern flight. During the second phase of
BAAC training, additional flight tasks
were introduced but not formally graded
due to ongoing technical improvementsin the simulator’s flight model: (1) Autorotation, (2) Run on landing, and (3)Slope landing. Students also practiced infree flight mode to gain additional skill
and comfort in each maneuver as well as
learn control input correlation.
The ATN VR training environment
captured flight profile expectations andtracked an array of performance data
while students flew maneuvers in training. The data collected on student performance, as well as cognitive/physiologicalmeasurement and subjective assessments
through student surveys, was provided
back to the instructor pilots to help inform their overall assessments of VR
student progress in terms of proficiency,
comprehension, and overall progress ofJuly 31, 2020

flight skill development. The research
investigated seven Course Management
Plans (CMPs) with 296 students (154
non-VR and 142 VR) across six cohorts.
USAARL, co-located at Ft. Rucker,
provided government and academic researchers in cognitive science and human factors to collect and analyze datafrom the program, while ORCEN, serving as the research lead, provided independent research on metrics, design, andassessment of the impact of VR simulations on pilot cognition and overall
performance. The intent is to publish aseries of formal research reports in peerreviewed publications.
The initial data collection window
culminated May 31st allowing the research team to provide a detailed analysis report to USAACE leadership. This
report provides findings and recommendations on the future of ATN. This
program will continue to collect data andremain postured to analyze student performance in the future. The research lead,
MAJ Clay Woody of ORCEN, provided
a preliminary research brief stating, “Thefindings support the conclusion that the
ATN program is a viable training delivery method.” Some key findings include
that P2 check ride performance between

VR classes is not statistically different
and that check ride scores for both P1
and P2 showed no statistical difference
between VR and non-VR students.

The Outcome

What does this mean? Statisticallythere is no difference on how ATN students and flight school students using
traditional flight school CMPs perform;
however, data shows that ATN students
continually out-perform their peersin the aircraft check rides as well as inacademics beyond the ATN training
window. The current data demonstrates
promising future training capability using ATN and other VR technologies.
With the initial research complete andshowing promising results, researchers
from United States Military Academy(USMA) Operations Research Center(ORCEN) and US Army Aeromedical
Research Laboratory (USAARL) arecontinuing to examine vast amounts ofdata to help USAACE leadership shape
the next round of experiments.
Continued after action reviews andlessons learned allow for recommendations on how to improve the program.
Primary recommendations include a
deeper assessment into how many itera-tions it takes a student to become proficient in each maneuver and looking
at further implementation of VR into
additional phases of IERW, i.e. instruments. Focused observation and evaluation of performance in the ATN device
and live aircraft using a simple metric oftraining efficiency ratio (TER) will allow USAACE to accomplish the firstrecommendation. Future research plans
and the feasibility of implementing
ATN and/or VR into additional phasesof IERW to provide additional researchdata are being refined.
With the Army modernizing capabilities to support warfighting, USAACE will continue to learn, adjust, andinnovate better ways to train Aviators.
Aviator Training Next has proven itself as a very capable training approach.
Continued research will help determine
exactly how and where in training it
provides the best value.
Above the Best!
MAJ Christopher A. McFarland is the operations
officer of the U.S. Army
Aviation Center of Excellence Directorate of Simulation at Fort Rucker, AL.

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

45

July 31, 2020

Special Focus u Simulation

Establishing
Data As A
Strategic
Asset
160TH SOAR (ABN) COURTESY PHOTO

By LTC Clinton Underwood andMSG Dylan LeMasters

LTC Clint Underwood (right) and MSG Dylan LeMasters.

Our failures remain our mostpowerful agent of change.
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) is intent on
creating reliable, accurate and redundant data sources that enable leaders to
see the operational environment clearly,
no matter what aspects are changed byenemy, influenced by maintenance or
the environment.
Since Desert One, the inferno of ourbirth has taught the 160th SOAR thata visionary modernization mindset
must be ingrained in a Night Stalker’s
DNA. To a Night Stalker, the only
way forward is through the mire andsweat that is modernization. Not onlyis change driven by organizational
leadership, but it is driven at the coreof organizations – through training
Soldiers. The continued success of theRegiment is rooted in the versatilityof its Soldiers and their willingness toembrace failure and find solutions that
better support ground force objectives.
Our simulations are at the cutting edgeof that change.

Modernization Efforts

Over the past 12 months, Army Special Operations Aviation Command(ARSOAC) has intentionally empowered key leadership within ARSOAC
and subject matter experts from the160th SOAR to partner with VanderARMY AVIATION Magazine

bilt research labs to ensure the application of new technology is not only properly targeting full spectrum dominance,
but is also completely integrated within
the NexGen Special Operations Aviation Simulations and Training Systems(NexGen SOAS2). These developments
are intended to empower the use of data
as a strategic asset (DoD Modernization Strategy, 2019).
Advancements in simulations capabilities have placed a unique combination of systems within the 160th SOAR
Mission Rehearsal and Exercise Training system (MRETs) complex. Thesesystems allow intelligence and electronic warfare officers to create full-mission
rehearsals for Advance Tactics Trainees(ATT) conducting high fidelity flighttraining in the 160th SOAR Combat
Mission Simulators (CMS). Software
such as Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE) is enabling the 160th
SOAR staff to fully integrate Advance
Tactics Training (ATT) environments
and orchestrate electronic warfare training ranges capable of being controlled
by organic 160th SOAR electronic warfare experts.
COL Wilkinson, the 160th SOAR
commander at the time of this writing, maintains that “it’s not enough to
own the night anymore. We must own
the whole spectrum” in order to be successful against Global Power Competitors (GPC). To that end, the Regimentfocused NexGen SOAS2 priorities by
46

bringing training and development solutions directly to tactical application.
“The next step is to take ATT training solutions from the simulator to theflight line.” (MAJ Sean Merritt, 160th
SOAR Operations Officer)
The evolutionary steps in 160th
SOAR Simulations will be to place
uncompromising standards, advanced
tactical contingencies, data collection,
NexGen simulation systems, joint fullmission rehearsal, lessons learned (by160th), academic rigor (by Vanderbilt
University) and constant testing andevaluation (by SIMO) at the center ofour relationships with industry partners
to provide open source architecture solutions. Within the controlled environment of the 160th SOAR/SIMO simulations laboratory, a perpetual cycle of
ATT allows us to safely fail and evolveat the speed of data collection and adaptive risk practices.
Under LTC Michael Roder’s leadership, the ARSOAC’s Systems Integration and Management Office (SIMO),
the 160th SOAR modernization strategy for data collection and training
development continues to be carefullyaligned with the Army Future Vertical Lift mission and further refined
through academic rigor applied by the
Vanderbilt Institute for Software Integrated Systems. This intentional alignment ensures that program research anddevelopment goals are achievable andimmediately applicable.
July 31, 2020

Artificial Intelligence/Machine
Learning at the Joint Operational
Level

The Regiment further looks to cement
the unit’s advanced operational knowledge of joint contingency execution into
the foundation of every pilot’s training byfocusing on the resourcing and development of the 160th SOAR’s Air Mission
Commander AI/ML training device.
This system will rely on Bayesian theorem
AI/ML to create customizable operational scenarios that control the complexity/difficulty and speed of training basedon an individual’s aptitude to learn thecomplex decision matrixes that drive theexecution of contingencies. Hence, when
junior pilots are submerged in the rapid
planning and execution of real world, in
extremis contingencies, it’s not the firsttime they have been exposed to various
joint enablers or the application of Joint/
Special Mission Unit capabilities.

Developing Risk Adaptive Procedures and Principals – Data Empowered (RAP-Data)

The 160th SOAR’s future simulationplans align NexGen SOAS2 training
devices with the Defense Modernization Strategy and resource management
guidance, and seek to leverage several
aspects of artificial intelligence, machinelearning, virtual reality, tactical mission
networking and cutting-edge simulation analytics software. Throughout
planning, mission execution and followon sustainment priorities, the collection and application of RAP-Data isfully intended to empower Rapid Risk
Adaptive Practices and Procedures thatempower decisions at every level ofcommand and incorporate aircraft performance, tactical survivability and thestaff ’s evaluation of enemy/situational
threat data. The 160th Regimental
Simulations Office (RSO) will build
these training capabilities at local facilities with the goal of integrating mature
solutions at the operational level as soon
as applicable. In the future, the focusedcollection of data will empower missioncommanders to assess overall risk.
When data collection and visualization is fully matured and staff inputs
are able to offer real-time operational
relevance into risk adaptive practices, a‘current risk level’ will follow the training/operation throughout each phaseof the execution. Risk values will thenchange at the speed at which the data
is updated by each staff section. In turn,
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

real-time risk visualization will enable
more timely and accurate execution of
Joint SOF contingencies based on large
scale data from multiple sources.

Secure Networking SystemsIntegrated with Simulations

Our 160th SOAR crews are required
to orchestrate Joint Special Operations
contingencies with unprecedented accuracy and dependability. The current
development of tactical mission networking allows crews to share real-timesituational awareness of critical mission
information. ‘Basic’ battlefield information is no longer the standard expected
to build rapidly developing situationalawareness. Our systems are intentionallydesigned to empower ground force commander decisions and risk mitigation
throughout every aspect of the operation.
The RSO will integrate this network
structure into their simulators this year,
and the devices used during operations
will immediately be accessible to pilots
and critical staff functions, such as theintelligence and electronic warfare officers, to assist in creating a full spectrum
training environment. This level of training fidelity has led special mission units
to conduct pre-deployment rehearsals
with the 160th SOAR prior to rapid de-ployments. The combined force conducts
situational training exercises within the
MRETs complex prior to executing dynamic, in-extremis missions OCONUS.
These are rehearsed with current snap
shots of actual down range intelligence.
It is clear that enemy systems are
evolving, and new regional threats will
require the full profile of our expertise.
New Night Stalkers are born every day
as we remain fully engaged in war. With
each training day and mission flown wepledge our hard work and determination
to a legacy that reminds us- hard training
and selfless service is where the fire forgesa Warrior’s Ethos. 160th SOAR NexGen
SOAS2 simulations and training are designed to provide the birthplace and fire
where we forge Night Stalkers capable ofperpetual Full Spectrum dominance +/30 secs anywhere in the world.
The views presented are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent theviews of DoD or its Components.
LTC Clinton Underwood is the Regimental Simulations Office officer in charge
and MSG Dylan LeMasters, the RSONCOIC for the 160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment (Airborne) located at
Ft. Campbell, KY.

–– NEW LOCATION ––AAAA Aircraft Survivability
Equipment Symposium

SAVE THE DATES!
December 7-8, 2021
Gaylord Palms Hotel & Convention Center
Kissimmee, FL – #20ASE

47

July 31, 2020

Special Focus u Corpus Christi Army Depot

CCAD: Safety and Technology

in the Time of COVID-19
By Ms. Della Adame

CCAD Leads Effort to Reduce HeavyMetal Exposure

Military aircraft operate in corrosive
environments that necessitate aggressive maintenance methods and highly
specific products to prevent deterioration. Three primary tasks associatedwith corrosion control of our aircraft
are abrasive blasting, sanding, andprimer paint application.
Unfortunately, paints and primers
contain heavy metal toxins that require
our artisans to use specialized protective
equipment to apply and remove paints
from aircraft and parts. This year (2020)
brought about a significant change
at the Depot. For the first time, weapplied a new special primer to a Black
Hawk helicopter going through ourmaintenance process. The new “ClassN” primer made this helicopter the
first one free of the harmful hexavalentchromium (Cr6) substance.
“The effort to transition to a safer
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY ERVEY J. MARTINEZF

rom the eradication of toxic
substances in the workplace tothe latest digital twin virtualtechnology, the Corpus Christi Army
Depot continues to lead Army Aviation
efforts for constructive changes in orderto maintain readiness. We are doing thisall while protecting our most importantresource, our CCAD artisans, andcontinuing to produce while the Armyand the Nation are seeking to eliminate
COVID-19 in 2020.
From its inception in 1961, the 15acre facility previously known as the
Army Aeronautical Depot MaintenanceCenter had one mission: perform helicopter repair and maintenance. A critical asset to the Army’s organic industrial
base, the now 158-acre Corpus Christi
Army Depot (CCAD) is the premier rotary wing repair facility in the world. The
Depot has a unique set of capabilities forhelicopter and component support thatis essential for all Department of Defense branches and foreign militaries.

CCAD aircraft electricians Mike Lee (left) and Jonathan Lopez (right) work on installing the electricalwiring harness on a UH-60V.

maintenance environment is of utmost
importance. We assembled a team tolead the Army in eliminating heavy
metal toxins from our Depot processes.
This effort will take years to complete,
but it is important to ensure the safetyof our artisans here and for the Soldiersin the field.” – Colonel Joseph H.
Parker, Commander, CCAD.
Thus far, the Depot successfully
removed and reduced Cr6 “Class C”
primer from all paint shops and six
work centers. Within five months, weremoved Cr6 from 174 Army technicalpublications. The process changed theface of rotary wing aviation coatings in
the Army’s UH-60 Black Hawks, AH64 Apaches and CH-47 Chinooks.
Airframes, components and a countless
number of parts will receive the newprimer. Engines and blades can have48

the new primer, as will the containers
or “cans” that house them.
As an added benefit, the effort will
result in a cost savings and throughput
increase for each aircraft requiring paintoperations. Most importantly, the positive impact to the health of CCAD artisans by these changes is immeasurable,
now and far into the future.

Digital Twin Virtual Technology

A second major effort here at CCAD
is a partnership with academia to develop a digital twin of a UH60. This journeybegan at CCAD when we sent a Black
Hawk helicopter on an 800-mile voyage to Wichita, Kansas. Although thecoordination began before COVID-19,
the movement and digitalization haveall occurred under COVID-restrictedmovement and operations.
July 31, 2020

Once in Kansas, researchers at the
National Institute of Aviation Research
are using digital twin technology,
through a partnership with Wichita
State University, to create a virtual
model of the UH-60L Black Hawk
helicopter. Researchers are currently
completely disassembling one of the
CCAD airframes to capture 3-D scansof all structural parts. Once complete,
the team will create a virtual modelof the aircraft, aka, its digital twin.
This digital twin will help resolve
issues in the 40+ year old technology
present in the enduring fleet of Black
Hawk helicopters and help the Depot
manufacture the updated UH60V. The
ability to visualize, analyze and predict
performance will be an advantage tomaintenance crews. The results of thisstudy will positively affect the futureof Black Hawk maintenance andsustainment and help the warfighter at
the tip of the spear.
“With the acceleration of innovationin technology comes an opportunity for
CCAD to leverage those improvements
to increases efficiency, precision andquality.” He added, “These attributes
enable superior performance andreliability of our production, which

directly supports our War Fighters andallied partners.” – Rod Benson, CCAD
Chief Operations Officer.

Mixing Water With Electricity

A third related effort uses new
methods to complete standard maintenance better and safer. Hand in handwith the eradication of toxic substancesat the Depot, using mechanical tools
in the workplace also poses a level of
exposure. One tedious task is removing the skin from the aircraft in ourdisassembly area. Our artisans must remove thousands of rivet fasteners that
hold an aircraft together. We do this byhand, one fastener at a time.
Each time we remove a fastener, theprocess disturbs the paint surrounding
the head and stem. This sends microparticles of Cr6 into the air and onto
all nearby surfaces.
The introduction of the eDrill, produced by the Perfect Point Corporationof Huntington Beach, California, drastically changed the game for us. Using
an electric charge and a grounded water line, this specialized tool removes
the pin of the fastener from the headwith an arc circuit jolt of electricity.
The stem falls away and with a quick

tap of a mallet, the rivet head falls off,
too, reducing foreign object debris andmicro-particles in the work area.
These are but three efforts thathighlight the way that the Depot
remains agile and adaptive in its effort
to support the Army and protect ourpeople. From the workforce to the
Warfighter, the ultimate mission isto underwrite the readiness of Army
Aviation. CCAD supports this mission
by focusing on our number one asset –our people.
Our commitment to our people andthe mission matches our commitment
to the customer. We support service
members and every American byenabling Army Aviation readiness intimes of peace, war and pandemics
like COVID-19. While COVID-19
influences what is now our “newnormal,” it does not detract from
CCAD’s determination to meet mission
and support the warfighter. CCAD has
and always will, underwrite the Army’s
aviation maintenance readiness.
Ms. Della Adame is a public affairs
specialist at Corpus Christi Army Depot,
Corpus Christi, TX.

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49

July 31, 2020

u Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional TeamA Critical Force Multiplier in Complex
Operational Environments –U.S. ARMY FVL CFT GRAPHIC

The Future Long Range Assault Aircraft By MAJ Jacqueline Stilwell

We cannot expect success fighting tomorrow’s conflicts
with yesterday’s weapons or equipment.
Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis, excerpt from the 2018 National Defense StrategyAs our military forces prepare tofight in increasingly complex
operational environments, wemust provide commanders the fidelity
to engage with and destroy near peer
adversaries. The nation’s superiority inevery domain is being contested. “Paramount to our success is the requirement for increased reach combinedwith improved agility for Army Aviation,” said BG Walter T. Rugen, director of the Army’s Future Vertical Lift
Cross-Functional Team (FVL CFT).
Committed to maintaining vertical lift dominance in Army Aviation,
the FVL CFT, U.S. Army Program
Executive Office-Aviation, U.S. Army
Aviation Center of Excellence, and thebroader stakeholder community are deARMY AVIATION Magazine

veloping the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) for fielding to
the Army by 2030.

FLRAA Operational Impact

FLRAA is the next generation lift,
assault, and aeromedical evacuation(MEDEVAC) aircraft. Its capabilities
include increased reach (speed, range,
endurance, and endurance at range), improved sustainability (reliability, availability, and maintainability), and enhanced
maneuverability, agility, and survivability.
FLRAA will rapidly exploit windows of opportunity on the battlefieldand enable ground forces to effectively
execute air assaults, air movements,and MEDEVAC prior to and during
the penetration and exploitation of en50

emy Integrated Air Defense Systems(IADS). Combined with Next Genera-tion Combat Vehicle and Long-Range
Precision Fires capabilities, FLRAA
will execute deep operational maneuver to neutralize mid-range threats,
enabling tactical effects at strategic andoperational distances.
A critical force multiplier in complex
operational environments, FLRAA expands the 1-hour MEDEVAC coverage. The MEDEVAC interior will feature a modular and reconfigurable design, enabling simultaneous critical enroute medical care to multiple patients.
FLRAA’s reach facilitates direct delivery to a Role 3 medical treatment facility in relative sanctuary, significantly
increasing patient survivability.
July 31, 2020

Advanced sensor systems will expand
the operating environment to include
degraded visual environments and highthreat areas where we will encounter anincreased risk of cyber, denial of a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,
directed energy, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Multiple levels of supervised autonomy provide the ability to optionallycrew aircraft based on mission complexity and tactical risk factors.
Tired of waiting for software upgrades? The Modular Open Systems
Approach (MOSA) and resilient architecture will upgrade at the speed oftechnology, enabling future growth andrapid insertion of technology to address emerging threats.
In their 2019 and 2020 reports, theCongressional Budget Office and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlighted FVL affordability.
Through the application of composite
materials for lighter, yet stronger airframes, and advanced manufacturing
techniques, FLRAA will have increased
system efficiency, reliability, and sustainability with a reduction in production time and life cycle cost. Predictive
maintenance and data analytics willfurther facilitate a reduced sustainment
footprint while conducting sustained
operations in austere environments.
Synchronized with all of the Army
Futures Command CFT signature
modernization efforts, FLRAA willinteroperate across all platforms andnetworks. FLRAA will provide leapahead situational awareness to the air
assault force through the use of theirIntegrated Visual Augmentation System onboard.
FLRAA will have Air Launched Effects (ALE) capability, enhancing survivability and lethality of both aviationand ground forces. ALE will provide
situational awareness, timely updates
on enemy positions and assets, andconduct lethal and non-lethal penetration and neutralization of long-range
threats and IADS.
FVL rotorcraft will be survivableprimarily through our revolutionary
rotorcraft advanced configurations, useof unmanned systems within the killchain, and advanced aircraft survivability to the point where the enemy cannot continue to turn inside of us withsuperior technology and capability.
The FLRAA team continues to gain
solid feedback from aviation and infantry Soldier touchpoints and analyARMY AVIATION Magazine

sis from the U.S. Army Aeromedical
Research Laboratory on human performance optimization and system integration to ensure our effectiveness infuture operational environments.

Deepening Interoperability

FLRAA will be fielded across all
Army components as it was designatedas an Army-led program with multiservice interest. Interest in the FVL program has grown across the joint community, not only with U.S. Special Operations Command and United States
Marine Corps, but also recent interest
from the United States Coast Guard.
Multiple international partners are
expressing interest in participation andpotential partnering in the FVL program to modernize their fleets. Collaboration will not only deepen interoperability, but will foster shared research anddevelopment, emerging technologies,
operating concepts, and capabilities.
Similar to the Black Hawk program,
FLRAA will be adoptable by other services and U.S. Government agencies,
as well as interoperable and exportable to foreign partners. Strengthening
interoperability across the joint forces
and international partners is crucial tocontinuing our asymmetric strategic
advantage on the battlefield.

Why Now?

We are at an inflection point with ahealthy current fleet and must modernize
now to preserve the future. We, quite
literally, cannot afford not to. The
Secretary of the Army, Honorable Ryan
D. McCarthy states that our adversaries“are investing billions to rapidly
modernize their armies, increasing
their weapon systems’ lethality and thus
eroding US overmatch. Either you havea sense of urgency today, or a sense ofregret tomorrow.” FLRAA and other
FVL signature efforts bring back that
advantage for the Aviation Enterprise.
As the 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) describes, we must be able
to operate from relative sanctuary in adispersed manner and deliver tacticaleffects from strategic and operational
distances. We must have the agility
and reach to rapidly aggregate forces,
penetrate, and dis-integrate the enemy
at the time of our choosing to createchaos in the enemy’s decision cycle.
Assessing the emerging capabilitiesof our peer and near-peer threats, especially in the multi-domain environment, it is evident that capability gaps
51

exist and will continue to exist in Army
Aviation without the addition of FVL
signature efforts.
Army Aviation’s beloved current fleet
has performed tremendously over thelast four-plus decades, keeping up withconstant deployment demands while flying in support of homeland defense andtraining requirements. Designed andbuilt over 50 years ago, the current fleet
will continue to be in high demand forthe coming decades, but falls short of executing operations in line with the NDS.
“Given their operational limitations inhigh-threat environments, the current
fleets are approaching their technological limits” reports CSIS, and will need tointegrate with FVL aircraft to win in themulti-domain environment.
Over the Aviation Branch’s history,
the fleet was incrementally upgradedwith advancing technologies, but has
become slower and heavier. The H60Ms, bought in the 2000s, are due forrecapitalization in the 2030s and thenation cannot afford to spend approximately $1 billion annually on the same
outdated technology. We must modernize with new aircraft and invest inleap-ahead and advancing technology.
In concert with other FVL signature
efforts, the FLRAA clean sheet design
will break us out of this costly incremental upgrade cycle.

Way Forward

The FLRAA team proudly continues collaboration efforts across thestakeholder community and industry
to inform and refine FLRAA requirements that will lead to the FY21 Request for Proposal for the FLRAA
Program of Record.
The time for FLRAA has come. Our
Army needs Army Aviation to provide
a winning edge on the future battlefield
through air maneuver. FLRAA will not
only provide that maneuver capability,
but will mitigate current fleet capability gaps, serve as an integral and crucial component of the combined arms
team, and be fully integrated within
the joint operational framework tofind, fix, and finish our pacing threats.
Because…“Winning Matters!” – GENJames C. McConville, Chief of Staff of
the Army.
“Forge the Future!”
MAJ Jacqueline Stilwell is the FutureLong Range Assault Aircraft Integration
Lead for the Future Vertical Lift CrossFunctional Team at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
July 31, 2020

From the Field uPennsylvania National Guard Introduces
The Military Family Education Program Act of 2019
By CW4 Teresa R. Watkins

P

PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL GUARD GRAPHICS

ennsylvania National Guard(PANG) will pay for your family’s
college education!
The Pennsylvania National Guard is proud to announce,
the first-in-the-nation, Military Family Education Program(MFEP). The spouses and children make many sacrifices
in support of their loved ones in uniform. Be it lengthy
deployment, drill weekend, or a last minute call to support
a natural disaster or emergency; our servicemen and womenneed the support of their family, so they can focus on protecting
the homeland. The MFEP is a small token of appreciationfrom the PANG to say thank you to our military families
for their personal sacrifice. Pennsylvania’s Governor, Adjutant
General and the General Assembly partnered to recognize
and support the families of Pennsylvania National Guard
service members and increase retention. On 1 July 2019,
Pennsylvania’s Governor signed into law, House Bill 1324,
authorizing the MFEP and expanded our current Education
Assistance Program.

Who are considered eligible dependents?
Dependents who meet the criteria IAW Defense
Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. (DEERS).
Can a PA Guard member enroll, extend
or reenlist for MFEP without having
dependents at this time?
Yes, the PA Guard member may earn the MFEP benefit
for their future dependents. If a PA Guard member completes
both their initial and subsequent six-year service obligation
to the PA Guard, and is later separated under honorable
conditions, the member will be issued a certificate ofeligibility for use within the guidelines of the program. A PA
Guard member can change dependent(s) assigned to receive
the MFEP benefit while serving as a PA Guard member, as
well as after separation.

What is Military Family
Education Program (MFEP)?
The MFEP provides an education assistance grantfor dependents, earned by airmen and Soldiers for theircommitment and service to the Pennsylvania National Guard.
This grant may be used for a degree granting curriculum,
certificate program or programs required for entrance into a
specific career. It must be used at Pennsylvania institutions ofhigher learning, approved by Pennsylvania Higher Education
Assistance Agency. This benefit provides for 120 semester
hours which is approximately 5 years of schooling. The service
member may assign the entire benefit to one dependent or a
portion to more than one dependent.

How long are dependents eligible to use
MFEP?
A spouse may use this assigned MFEP benefit up to six
years after the member’s separation, children must use theassigned MFEP benefit before reaching 26 years of age. Ifboth parents are PA Guard members that enrolled in MFEP
and they both assigned their benefits to the same dependent,
that dependent’s MFEP benefit is not capped at five years,
that dependent may receive 10 years of benefits. Throughthis grant, military spouses and/or their children have apath forward for their education. With this one-of-a-kindprogram, we will secure an educational future for families;
this is one way to show our appreciation to those who serveand sacrifice while giving them another good reason to reenlist.
Again, let Pennsylvania National Guard pay for yourfamily’s college education!

What are the eligibility requirements for
MFEP?
MFEP is earned when the PANG member commits toserve for an additional six years beyond their first service
obligation in the PANG. Enlisted airmen and Soldiers
will reenlist for this program; for officers/warrant officers
it is a service obligation. Pennsylvania Guard members may
extend their current service obligation to reenlist for MFEP
after completion of their initial service obligation. The
M-Day, Technician and AGR T-32/T-10 officers, warrant
officers and enlisted may enroll 1 July 2020 and the grant
will be available for use by family members beginning the2020/2021 Academic Year.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

CW4 Teresa R. Watkins is the assistant secretary of the generalstaff for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
52

July 31, 2020

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ARMY AVIATION Magazine

53

July 31, 2020

Historical Perspective u 70th Anniversary of the Korean War

The Korean War –Part I: Gridlock

By Mark Albertson“Police action? It was a G… d… war!
And the shooting stopped with a ceasefire, not a peace treaty.
So technically we are still at war.
My war is America’s longest running war, not Afghanistan.”

U.S. Army infantryman, Peter Berillo

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a seriesof three articles commemorating the 70th
anniversary of the Korean War.

U

WIKIPEDIA COMMONS PHOTO

nfortunately, the Korean War islightly regarded by a great many
Americans… except, perhaps, by
those who had fought there.
June 25, 2020 marked the 70th anniversary of this clash of arms between
East and West; Communism versus
Capitalism; and, the rise of Revolutionary Nationalism1 attempting to fill thevoid left by the receding White, Chris-tian colonial powers of Europe; collapseof the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity
Sphere2 and defeat of the Axis Powers;
all in the face of the emerging global
competition between the two victors of1945, the United States and the Soviet
Union.
Korea, for the first half of the 20th
century, was an oppressed country. During the 1904-1905 Russo-JapaneseWar, the upstart Japanese evicted Czarist Russian forces from the contested
peninsula and in 1910 absorbed same
into the Japanese Empire. One of theSyngman Rhee (right), President of South Korea, with General Douglas MacArthur.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

54
54

major selling points of Tokyo’s programof “liberation” was that of ridding Asiaof the White Christian colonial powers – Asia for Asians. Of course, Japan’s
neighbors, in the end, would be trading
one overseer for another.3
After September 2, 1945, Korea
emerged from the defeat of the Japanese Empire. But since the peninsula
points like a knife blade at the heartof Japan, its strategic significance was
not lost upon the United States and theSoviet Union.4 Syngman Rhee, an authoritarian anti-Communist along thelines of a Chiang Kai-shek, establishedhis regime in Seoul. A Soviet satrap
was set up in Pyongyang with Kim Il
Sung, an ardent nationalist and Communist. And so tragically for the Koreans, their country would be occupied
and divided at the 38th parallel by theUnited States and the Soviet Union.
Both Washington and Moscow reinedin their clients, whose ambitions were
for the unification of the peninsula under one or the other’s banner. The Truman Administration under armed theSouth Korean armed forces, correctly
distrusting Rhee, as it was not willingto risk a general war in Asia. Stalin,on the other hand, liberally supplied
Pyongyang. The North Korean People’s
Army enjoyed, compared to its South
Korean counterpart, much combat experience. Thousands of the 150,000man NKPA had fought in China inWorld War II against the Japanese andin the Chinese Civil War with Mao’s
Eighth Route Army in the defeat of
the American-backed Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-shek.5
The Korean civil war opened
spectacularly on June 25, 1950. In
Blitzkrieg-like fashion, over 90,000
troops of the North Korean People’s
Army, backed by upwards of 150 Soviet
tanks, crashed over the 38th parallel.
However, strongman Kim Il Sung’s bid
to unify the peninsula failed. In one ofthe decisive actions of the war, Kim’s
army failed to liquidate the Pusan
abscess in the south; which, together
with General Douglas MacArthur’s
July 31, 2020
July 31, 2020

WIKIPEDIA COMMONS PHOTO

Addendum: There is the larger
perspective to the Korean War.
November 25-26, 1950 is one of themost decisive days in the post-1945
era of American history. For the massive Chinese intervention irrevocablyaltered the strategic and tactical approach of the U.S. armed forces.
In World War II, the basic premiseof U.S. military strategy was to destroy
the Axis armies in field to achieve an
unconditional surrender. The strategy
of total victory was pursued in 1950 in
Korea. For following the amphibious

North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung (center), 1946 party meeting.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

WIKIPEDIA COMMONS / HISTORY DEPARTMENT, U.S. MILITARY ACADEMYbold stroke at Inchon on September
15, 1950, tilted the momentum in favorof the Republic of Korea and its UN
allies.
As has happened many times inhistory, an internecine conflict or
civil war, attracts outside powers withstrategic agendas that range beyond
the parochial limitations of the original
conflict. UN forces, including Republicof Korea troops crossed the 38th
parallel heading north. With the North
Korean People’s Army reeling, now was
the time to unite the Korean peninsula
under Syngman Rhee’s banner andbring the Korean civil war to a successful
conclusion. But as the advance drewnearer the Chinese border, the courseof the conflict was suddenly changed in
the most profound way.
On November 25-26, 1950, hordesof “volunteers” from the Democratic
People’s Republic of China slammed
into the United Nation’s forces closing
on the frozen Yalu River. UN forceswere thrown back, retreating pell-mellover ground recently occupied. Seoul
once again fell to the Communists.
A UN counterattack checked theadvance of the Chinese steamroller andpromptly threw it into reverse.
Seoul changed hands for the fourthand final time before the seesaw phaseof the conflict gave way to trench
warfare. Both sides became locked
in a bitterly contested stalemate,reminiscent of the Western Front
in World War I; a costly morass
characterized by Communist flesh andblood battering itself senseless against
superior equipment and technology of
the UN forces. This new war, bereft ofmovement, provided that habitat forthat instrument of mobility that would
showcase its promise for the future…
the helicopter.
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July 31, 2020
July 31, 2020

WIKIPEDIA COMMONS PHOTO

Panmunjom, where the ceasefire talks were conducted. Located at Kaesong, North Hwang Province, North Korea.

operations at Inchon, the policy was to end the Korean civil
war and unite the peninsula under Rhee.
The Chinese intervention altered the objective of total
victory, to that of maintaining the prewar status quo,North Korea and South Korea. In turn, Vietnam got to
be a repeat. The perceived threat of Chinese intervention
helped to persuade Washington to decide on a limited war(minus nukes) to keep China and/or the Soviet Union out
of Vietnam. The policy of limited victory was seen again
in 1990-1991 with the Persian Gulf War and again in
Afghanistan.

2 - For the uninitiated, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity
Sphere was that propagandistic moniker peddled by Tokyo
to paper over the reality, the Japanese Empire.
3 - “Between 1905-1910, uprisings and rebellions erupted
frequently throughout Korea. Japan crushed them withefficient savagery. The Koreans had few weapons, and Japan
was a powerful and merciless nation. According to Japanesestatistics, 14,566 Korean ‘rebels’ were killed between July
1907 and December 1908. By 1910, when Japan formallyannexed Korea, little open resistance remained in theland…” See page 4, Chapter 1, “Korea, Case History of aPawn,” United States Army in the Korean War: Policy andDirection: The First Year, by James F. Schnabel.
4 - Unlike the four-nation occupation of prostrate Germany,
Washington made sure that the United States would be
the sole occupier of Japan. This, of course, would ensure
American dominance of the Home Islands and therefore,
dictate the agenda. Or as Stalin observed, “…whoever
occupies a territory also imposes on it his own social system.
Everyone imposes his own social system as far as his army
can reach… It cannot be otherwise.” See page 114, Part II,“Doubts,” Conversations With Stalin, by Milovan Djilas.
5 - Bruce Cumings noted, “Large numbers of battle-tested
troops filtered back into Korea in August-September 1949,
however, and again in early 1950, as the Chinese fighting
ended, about 50,000 in toto (Zhang Shu-guang puts thenumber of Koreans fighting with the Chinese Communists
against the Japanese in northwest China at 90,000, and thenumber that 5returned to Korea at 28,000 before September
1949—and tens of thousands more returned in early 1950).
The crack 6th Division, which acquitted itself very well inthe early Korean War fighting, was wholly made up of China
veterans and led by Gen. Pang Ho-san, who had gotten his
original military training at the famed Whampoa Institutein the 1920s.” See pages 143 and 144, Chapter Five, “38degrees of Separation: A Forgotten Occupation,” The
Korean War, by Bruce Cumings.

Endnotes
1 - Examples are the Pan-Arab Movement in the Middle
East; the Vietminh in North Vietnam; nationalist movementson the African continent.

Mark Albertson is the award-winning Army Aviation
Publications Historian and a contributing editor to ARMYAVIATION magazine.
ARMY
ARMY AVIATIONAVIATION Magazine
Magazine

56
56

July
July 31,
31, 2020
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,
Inc. from July 2019 through June 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. Every
penny donated to the Scholarship Foundation goes directly towards scholarships as a result of the Army Aviation Association of America
subsidizing all administrative costs (minus investment brokerage fees).
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Bell
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BoeingJohn S. Bolton
Lou Bonham, Bonham Technologies
Terry Branham
Billy & Glenna Brashear
Michele Lynn Brashear
Jacob Adam Brewster
SSG James L. Brown, Ret.
Cynthia S. Campbell
MAJ Ernie Carlson
Reyes Cortes – IHO Carmen Cortes
Cyalume Technologies, Inc.
Cub ClubJay Dirnberger – IHO CPT Richard
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Lucy Goeke – IHO LTC Thomas F. 		
McNamara
Thomas & Jane Graft
James Hamill – IHO COL Edward 		
Landry, Ret.
Thomas M. Harrison
Daphne Brashear Herron – IHO Billy
BrashearJohn Hickman – IHO Phil Hickman
Tom Huff
Jack A. James – IHO T/SGT Karl P.
Danckwerth Sr.
Arlo & Mary Rose Janssen
Cheryl E. Jensen
Johnny Overton HS Alumni
Johnson & Johnson
COL Larry M. Jonas, Ret.
K-Con, Inc.
Diane M. Kennedy
MG Richard D. Kenyon, Ret.
Theresa Kinney
Walter J. Kohls
James Krueger
Scott Kubica
Ronald V. & Carol J. Kurowsky
Jessica Bailey Lallier
Joe Lawver – IHO LTC Thomas F. 		
McNamara
Alyssa Lemanski – IHO LTC Thomas
F. McNamara

Lockheed Martin
The Luminescence Foundation, Inc.
Timothy Lunger
Robert H (Chip) and Angela Lunn
AAAA Luther Jones Speakers
Jodi Lynch
Lewis McConnell
Donald Munsch, Munsch & Co. 		
Aeromechanics
Bonnie & Gary Nenninger
Northrop Grumman
Sylvia T. Noyes
MG Rudy Ostovich, Ret.
Patriot Taxiway Industries Inc.
Lawrence P. Peduzzi, Peduzzi 		Associates LTD
Phantom Products Inc.
William Phillips
Potomac Knight Chapter, 114th Cav
PM Team Apache Office
Jay C Rickmeyer
Marilyn Rickmeyer
Terry & Bonnie Reininger
Roberson Giving Fund, Keith 		
RobersonRobertson Fuel Systems
Safran El. & Def., Avionics USA
Shashy Family Charitable
Malinda & Edward Schmidt
Edwin W. Schmierer III
Nancy Shaffer-End
John Sheard
Kenneth Shields
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Thomas G. Smith
CPT (Ret.) Barry Speare
StandardAero
MAJ Benjamin Stork
Walter C. Studdard
Masaki Sudo
Jacob D. Swafford
Boeing - Team ApacheJohn Vannoy
Vertex Aerospace
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Vietnam Veterans of the 227th 		Assault Helicopter Battalion
Robert Weaver Welsh – IHO William
Reeder Jr.
Nolan Wesley
Chrysta Wilson - CREA
Wreaths Across America Sponsors
COL Michelle Yarborough, Ret. – IHOMSG Raymond Yarborough, Ret.
COL Michelle Yarborough, Ret. – IHO
MAJ William “Pete” Stormer, Ret.
John & Mary York – IHO LTC Thomas
F. McNamara
YPO Fairchester Gold
Lisa R. Young
Yulista Holding, LLC
The Zieff Family FundFor more information about the Foundationor to make a contribution, go online to www.
quad-a.org; contributions can also be mailed
to AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc., 593
Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806.

IHO – In Honor Of

OUR DONORS MAKE SMILES HAPPENAND DREAMS COME TRUE

Thanks to our Donors, the AAAA Scholarship Foundation awarded
over a half million dollars in scholarships to 304 deserving applicantsin 2019. Now that's something to smile about!

Learn more at www.quad-a.org/scholarship

57

July 31, 2020

AAAA

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

I greatly appreciate the support from COL (Ret.) David Brostrom, the Aloha Chapter President and to MAJ Mathew Perry, Chapter
Secretary, for sharing this information with our readers.

The Aloha
ChapterT

Additionally, all Hawaiian Army National Guard and Army Reserves members within the state fall under the
Aloha Chapter. Though our members
primarily support operations across the
Pacific, members also deploy Aviation
support worldwide. The Chapter stays
focused providing support to members
and building on the heritage of Army
Aviation in Hawaii.
Pacific Pathways: The Chapter’sreach in the Pacific is tied directly to the
USARHAW Pacific Pathways mission.
The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade’s
operations extend through the entire
Pacific Rim. This year, Chapter members conducted Joint and Combined
Operations Cobra Gold and Hanuman
Guardian with forces across the U.S.
Military and the Royal Thai Army.

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT KEITH KRAKER

he Aloha Chapter
represents the
Hawaiian Islands andincludes all AAAA
members and units of U.S.
Army Hawaii (USARHAW) as
well as retired Hawaiian
residents and their families.
U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter assigned to 2-6 Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation
Brigade sits on the flight line while a shooting star falls in the sky on FARP 17, Pōhakuloa Training
Area, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii, April 13, 2019.

Aloha community. They awarded one
OSM Silver, seventeen OSM Bronze,
seven OSM Knights, and seven Lady of
Loreto awards. E Company/2-25 Assault Helicopter Battalion was recognized
as AAAA Logistics Support Unit of theYear. E Company (Roadrunners) supported operations during Pacific Pathways,
deployed to the Joint Readiness Training
Center, and supported operations on boththe Big Island of Hawaii and Oahu, allwhile improving operational readiness towell above DA standard.

Leadership Change: The Aloha Chapter said farewell to Senior Vice
President COL David Zimmerman as
he transitioned to take command of
65th Medical Brigade in South Korea.
COL R.J. Garcia, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Commander, assumed
the Senior VP position and they lookforward to continuing the tradition of
excellence in their Chapter Leadership.

Scholarships: They raised $4,000
for matching scholarships and awarded a $1,000 Top Chapter Scholarship.
Mary A. Turpin, Daughter of MAJ
Michael Turpin of Wahiawa, HI, received $2,000 for one year at Trevecca
Nazarene University. Bryan D. Lee, former commander of A Company/2-25
Assault Helicopter Battalion, received$2,000 for one year at Harvard Business
School. The AAAA Top Chapter Scholarship was awarded to Emily Atkinson,
daughter of CW5 Shayne Atkinson, toattend LeMoyne College.

Awards: Throughout the year, they
had the honor of recognizing the actionsof Soldiers, spouses, and units within theMembership: They saw a high markof 234 members and remain steady as a
Master Chapter. Soldiers deployed to Pa-

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

58

cific Pathways received the opportunity toaccess free membership and look forward
to a return to monthly meetings on Oahu.
The Third Thirsty Thursday members
meetings held at the Hangar Bowling Alley on Wheeler Army Airfield bring newmembers, connect Soldiers with one another and opportunities provided by their
Chapter and AAAA.
Activities: The semiannual Golf
Scramble was held at beautiful Turtle
Bay Resort on June 28th, 2019. The tournament raised $1,500 for scholarships
with an incredible turn out from theirmembers and local community support. Members and families across U.S.
Army Hawaii including the 25th Infantry Division Commander and otherdistinguished guests had the opportunity
to run on the air strip during a beautiful
Hawaii morning for the Turkey Trot 5K,
before chowing down on Thanksgiving
meals. The event raised $1,600 for Chapter scholarships and continues to be thehighlight of the year showcasing Army
Aviation in Hawaii.
Dedication: The Aloha Chapter has
been recognized back to back in both2018 and 2019 as the AAAA Senior
Chapter of the Year. With their memberJuly 31, 2020

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u
AAAA NEWS - ORDER
OF ST. MICHAEL and
OUR LADY OF LORETOINDUCTEESCHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

Air Assault Chapter

COL Matthew R. Weinshel, outgoing commander of 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, is
inducted into the Silver Honorable Order of St.
Michael just prior to his change of commandby Air Assault Chapter president, COL (Ret.)
Hawk Ruth, and 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault) commanding general, MG Brian Winski, at the Division Parade Field, Ft. Campbell,
KY May 29, 2020.

Griffin Chapter

COL John Broam, commander of 12th Combat
Aviation Brigade and Griffin Chapter president,
inducted 6 Soldiers assigned to the Brigade
Headquarters and Headquarters Company into
the Bronze Honorable Order of St. Michael during an award ceremony at Katterbach Kaserne
Airfield, Germany, June 12, 2020. Each wasrecognized for his dedication, hard work andexcellence within the Army Aviation community.

ship growth they are now designated as a
Master AAAA Chapter. Their long list ofaccomplishments makes them one of ourbest AAAA Chapters. We expect greatthings from them in the years to come.
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 obtain clarification of National procedures. I can bereached at jan.drabczuk@quad-a.org.
LTC (Ret.) Jan S. Drabczuk
AAAA VP for Chapter Affairs
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

SFC Sherman Hill

ALL U.S. ARMY PHOTOS BY SGT ALLEEA OLIVER

CHAPTER COURTESY PHOTO

SFC James YoungIron Mike Chapter

MAJ Jonathan Romanesk

CHAPTER PHOTO BY 1LT AUSTIN LACHANCECOL Scott Wilkinson (right), outgoing commander of 160th Special Operations Aviation
Regiment (Airborne), the Night Stalkers, is
inducted into the Silver Honorable Order of
St. Michael by BG Allan Pepin, commanding
general of U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command, during a ceremony on June
12, 2020. Wilkinson will next serve as thechief of staff for U.S. Army Special Operations
Command at Ft. Bragg, NC.

CW3 Christopher Thorn

CW5 Matthew L. Brown, command chief
warrant officer of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), is inducted
into the Silver Honorable Order of St. Michael
by regiment commanding officer COL Scott
Wilkinson during a June 10, 2020 ceremony
at Ft. Campbell, KY. Brown was recognized
for more than 30 years of dedicated service toArmy Aviation.

On June 12, 2020, MG John B. Richardson
IV, outgoing U.S. Army Forces Command G3,
was inducted as a Knight of the Honorable
Order of St. Michael by COL Mark Johnson,
FORSCOM Director of Aviation, for his
contributions to Army Aviation during his
tenure as the FORSCOM G3.

CW4 Jesse Martin

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

CW3 Daniel Reinhardt

59

July 31, 2020

AAAA

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

The
Membership
CornerADavid first joined the Army in 1993.
Going back as far as the General Custer
days the men on the Goodhue side had
all served, two Army and two Navy until
he broke the tie by joining the Army.
With all that history growing up, henever considered joining the military.
It wasn’t until an Army recruiter called
and asked if he would like to have a job
in Aviation that made him think about
joining. The lure of Aviation, being able
to pay for college on his own, and thepossibility of seeing other parts of theworld had him signing up mid-way
through his senior year of high school.
David had an amazing military
career, serving a total of 24 years ofcombined service on Active Duty andin the Washington National Guard.
His long list of accomplishments isquite impressive. When I asked forsome of the highlights of his career,
he responded with: CALFEX 95-1
Ft Sill OK; Multiple Beirut Air
Bridge rotations; Crewed for- SEC
State Madeleine Albright, SEC Def ’s
Cohen and Jim Mattis; III Corps CG
Laporte’s Crew chief; IFOR/SFOR
Bosnia; Katrina; BN SI Minnesota,
Washington, and Hawaii Iraq 20072008; BN SI Kuwait Washington NG
2011-2012; Med Det Squad Leader
Afghanistan 2013-2014; Seahawks
and Mariners flyovers; Establishedhoist program for UH-60 WAARNG;
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

SSG Goodhue

multiple wildfire response deployments;
Being able to instruct and advise
Thai Army CE’s on flight techniquesand crew coordination; Held title ofStandardization Instructor for 10 years
and genuinely loved teaching andgiving the best head start I possibly
could to those crew members I had thefortune of instructing.
After his retirement, he took acouple of months off before he was
hired by Boeing. He was hired fortest and evaluation on the KC-46, but
before getting his tanker clearance hestarted working for the chase airplanesection. He is currently one of two crew
chiefs on Boeing’s T-33 Shooting Stars.
Their mission sets include photo chase,experimental electronic pod flights,
and other proprietary missions. Also, inthe hanger are two T38’s, two Cessna
Grand Caravans, one Cessna 206, anda Pilatus PC-12. He is also the Boeing
Veterans Engagement Team leader for
North Boeing Field. David really loves
talking to the other veterans at Boeing
and learning their journeys.
David has two “awesome kiddos.”
One is dealing with graduating highschool in this year of COVID, andthe other will be attending Central
60

Washington University this fall.
He said he has too many mentors tothank individually, but they do all have
one commonality, they were “people
first” leaders. “They all got it that if you
take care of your people, if you take thetime to know them, you fight for them,
you recognize them for the good andaddress the bad, that they will have theinternal motivation to accomplish any
mission set forth in front of them.”
When asked about the importance of
joining a professional organization like
Quad A, he replied: “Organizations like
Quad A provide a literal link across ourcommunity, that tie not only Aviation
between say Ft Lewis and Ft Bragg but
also Regular Army, Special Operations,
Reserves, Guard and civilian. We arealways stronger when experiences andideas can freely flow between every
member of our Aviation family. Without
being a part of an organization like
Quad A not only would I be missingout on the latest in my community but
I wouldn’t have the outlet to continue
to share the experiences I have attained
over the years!”
CW4 Becki Chambers
AAAA Vice President for Membership
July 31, 2020

PERSONAL PHOTO

llow me to introduce
SSG (Ret.) David
Goodhue. He is theMount Rainer Chapter
VP of Enlisted Affairs
and producer of their
Quarterly Newsletter.

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u
New AAAA Lifetime
Members
Aviation Center Chapter
WO1 Bradley Jaillet

New AAAA
Members

Air Assault Chapter
PV2 Chucho Leo Conner
CPT Tyler Meadows
CW2 Jason Williams
Aloha Chapter
CPT Chance Yost
Aviation Center Chapter
Deborah Duggan
WO1 Bradley Jaillet
Badger Chapter
Dave Andrich
PV2 Riley Alexander Combs
Black Knights Chapter
2LT William D. Addy
CDT Kelly N. Azinge
CDT Seth T. Barbrow
CDT Sylvan G. Blankenship
CDT Ansley M. Davenport
CDT Dorothy Dennis
CDT Christian B. Flege
CDT Ryan H. French
CDT Adam C. Hug
CDT Jacob S. Kelley
CDT Robert S. Moore
CDT Jacob Murdock
CDT Donia M. Nichols
CDT Josiah B. ParkCDT Drew M. Polczynski
CDT Joshua Rhee
CDT Brody D. Rocque
CDT Georgia E. Simon
CDT Matthew W. Ward
CDT Haley M. Watson
CDT Timothy Widner
CDT Thomas D. Williams
CDT Paul T. Williamson
Bluegrass Chapter
1LT Gary Eicke
PFC Brandon Lopesilvero
Central Florida Chapter
Tony Attalas
Taylor Brooke
Rob Caldwell
PV2 Anthony Shea Merrill
LCDR Brian Miller
Robert Ramirez
PFC Connor John Smith
Paul Thierry
John Ulrich
Colonial Virginia Chapter
SSG Jacob Grove
SSG Jason Mainor
1SG Zachary Ogilby
Delaware Valley Chapter
PV2 Kiannah Laoto
Desert Oasis Chapter
SFC Nicholas Woods
Flint Hills Chapter
CW2 Andrew Carrier
CPT Albien Eres
CW3 Jared EspenschiedGold Standard Chapter
PV2 Seth Jason Dewboys
PVT Jamie Salinas-Conchas
Greater Atlanta Chapter
PV2 Jose Alberto Pineda Chavez
Griffin Chapter
CW2 Matthew MarshallGrizzly Chapter
PFC Lacie Thompson
Idaho Snake River Chapter
Miss Hannah Hartway
Iron Mike Chapter
SSG Reginald Bohannon
1SG Roger GreenCPT Kellen LeMasters
PFC Eric Melgarejo-Hurtado
PV2 Jacob Marshall Pruitt
Jack H. Dibrell/Alamo
Chapter
CW2 Mehdi Javanmardi
Ed Lopez
Jimmy Doolittle Chapter
CW2 William Carlson
SGT Katie Enos
SGT Jonathan Harling
PV2 Gavin Herr
Keystone Chapter
CW5 Robert Hall
Land of Lincoln Chapter
PV2 Paul Kingsbury
Lindbergh Chapter
Matthew Johnston
Lonestar Chapter
PFC Paxton Wells
Magnolia Chapter
PFC Justin Drew Burton
PFC Justin Vaughn
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
PV2 Justin Matthew Dillon
Minuteman Chapter
Robert Galligani
Nicole Riley
1LT Nicholas WildeMorning Calm Chapter
MAJ Andrew Wilson
Mount Rainier Chapter
CW5 Tristen R. Kopah
SSG Austin E. Leach
SPC Nicole L. Ridley
PFC Dawson Sigler
CW5 Norman L. Westerfeld
North Country Chapter
CW2 Lamont JamesPFC Spencer Lewis Koester
CW3 Barry Reed
SGT Ismael Schelmetty Torres
North Star Chapter
PVT Nicholas Lalum
PFC Daniel Gordon Peters
Northern Lights Chapter
A1C Kyle Eugene Anderson
Oregon Trail Chapter

SPC Eric Carter
Cindy Jacobson
MAJ Benjamin Jay Groen
Chuck Hurdleston
Rob Ruck
Phantom Corps Chapter
1LT Travis J. Danning
CPT Ian O'Neill
Pikes Peak Chapter
Tim Adam
Jeff Flewelling
CW5 William Kearns
1LT Wendy Martin
PV2 Bryce Hayden Mosburg
Hondo Scott
PFC Caelon Joseph Tautz
SPC Emmanuel Vidales Pasos
Ragin' Cajun Chapter
SGT Greg Devon
SPC Emanuel Secundino
Rio Grande Chapter
CW2 Daniel Joseph Ketchmark
SPC John Page
Savannah Chapter
MAJ Henry A. Vasquez
Stonewall Jackson Chapter
PV2 Cayne Allen Chartrand
Tarheel Chapter
SGT Teresa A. Barbee
Tennessee Valley Chapter
Amber Bunyea
PV2 Nathan Thomas Campbell
PV2 Morgan Samuel Courrege
Cliff Crivello
PFC Joshua Michael Dempsey
Jeff Drader
Noel Goldstein
LtCol Mark Hutnan
Garrick Kelly
Frank Mottolla,
Megan Mularz
Jason ‘Nic’ Nicholas
Ms. Angela Pounders
Michael Slaton
Wesley Sparks
David Worthy
Thunderbird Chapter
PFC Connor Cahoun

PV2 Brannon Tyler Kirkpatrick
Washington-Potomac
Chapter
COL Michael Bentley
Timothy Durham
Winged Warriors Chapter
CPT Erica M. Asencio
1LT Tyler J. Belin
CW2 Elias J. Comstock
COL Kathleen M. Flocke
CW3 Wesley Holt
1LT Colby M. HydeCW2 Robert S. Jeffery
SPC Jose D. Melgartorres
SPC Jeremyjason P. Mickelonis
SGT Joshua M. Nelson
SGT Joshua M. Price
SSG Michael R. Primavera
SFC Andrew L. Ramos
SGT Joseph W. Reddin
SSG Philip S. Richards
WO1 Thomas E. Richards
CPT Stephen P. Schmidt
CW2 Darryl W. Stickler
SSG Alberto Toy
SGT Michael H. Westley
Wright Brothers Chapter
PV2 Jacob Willie Smith
Yellowhammer Chapter
Carol Dupree
Chris Spivey
No Chapter Affiliation
1LT Brian Arevalo Ramos
SFC Shaun Juman
PVT Andrew Matthew Santos

Lost Members

Help AAAA locate a lost member
from this list and receive a free
one month extension 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

SPC Brett Christopher Butler
E. W. Cavanaugh
LTC Richard G. Cercone Jr.
LTC Tzu-Shan Chang
COL James A. Coar, Ret.
SPC Derrell L. Coats
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.
Trevor Harker
COL Jose L. Hinojosa, Ret.
SFC Carroll Elmo Hinson, V
Barb Hively
CW4 Delbert Jackson, Ret.
LTC Randy K. Jackson
CW3 Jeffrey J. Jelonek
MAJ Gregory R. Jenkins
MAJ David A. Jobe
LTC Peter D. Kowal
Beth N. Kramer
CW3 Vladimir Kultschizky
WO1 Jacob Larch
CW3 Timothy J. Larz
MSG David W. Little, Ret.
CSM Vernie Nance, Ret.
MAJ Darrel B. Nerove
Fred A. Newcomb
SFC Henry R. Rathbone, Ret.
Brendon A. RoanTony Sanchez
LTC Martin Scheld
Thomas R. Schiltz
LTC Jerry D. Scott
Jeremy Smith
MAJ James F. Speelman
LTC Friedrich Stern
Jean K. Tinsley
WO1 Armando B. Torres
MAJ L.D. Walker
Rose Weast
Nadia O. Whatley

Save the Dates!
April 21-23 l Nashville, TN

NETWORKRECOGNITIONVOICESUPPORT

Sponsoredby

FEATURINGJUSTIN MOORE

2021HSUMMITARMY AVIATION MISSION SOLUTIONS SUMMIT

Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center – #21SUMMIT – Sponsored by AAAAARMY AVIATION Magazine

61

July 31, 2020

AAAA

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

COVID-19 Reflections & ResourcesW

Robbie and COL Shane Kimbrough, NASA, Houston,
Texas: Our feelings about this unprecedented time are mixed.
We wake up every day thankful for our family’s health. We
are glad because our parents are all doing well. In daily life, wehave gone from being “empty nesters” to having a full houseof 3 “twenty somethings”. We are up for the challenge andlove having big family meals together again. What we didn’t
expect is the sadness and stress from the kids. Their wholeworlds have changed and been turned upside down. Theircommunity was gone or instantly only online, but eventually,
everyone settled down into their routine of online classes
and working from home. The week of our twin daughters’
graduations was bittersweet. The good news is we expect
to have the opportunity to celebrate them in August with
postponed ceremonies at both universities. Both girls will
start graduate school soon, so we hope their class schedules
permit attending their graduations. One thing we have learned
through so many years in the military and with NASA, is thatlife goes on. Life is ever changing and unpredictable. You justdo your best to adjust and keep moving forward.
From our daughter Kaitlyn: My senior year looked extremely
different than I could have ever imagined. With multiple events
like graduation, senior week, and special Baylor traditions canceled, there were many opportunities to be disappointed, but
the slower pace during quarantine has helped me appreciate
my wonderful Baylor professors and my community. I also realize the importance of not taking anything for granted. I hope
this season of life causes me to cherish every moment fromhere on and make the most of every stage of life.

GRAPHIC BY THE AUTHOR’S GRANDDAUGHTER, MEGHAN HUTTO

hile the COVID virus is pandemic
and no one is immune, ourmembers have adjusted and realigned
their priorities, and I thank them forsharing with us.

remained busy transporting medical supplies and personnel
across Europe to assist our partners and Allies. Recognizing how
many folks are in need outside the gates of our local kasernes,
our Soldiers and Families recently organized a “Gifts from the
Griffins” donation drive for a German home for special needs
children. Our units have also worked hard to maintain Soldier
morale, even at the height of social distancing measures. 1-3
ARB conducted a virtual “Viper’s Got Talent” talent show
over Zoom, while 1-214th held a “Virtual Quarantine Race.”
Participants (open to Families and Soldiers alike) needed tocomplete 21.4 miles in one week’s time, and finishers earned
the “coveted” Quarantine Race Medal.

MAJ Adam Keller, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade,
Katterbach, Germany: After several months of contending
with the pandemic in Europe, the Soldiers and Civilians of
12th CAB have doubled down on training and have foundinnovative ways to build unit cohesion, maintain morale, andstrengthen families and their ties within the local community.
1-3 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion recently conducted abattalion attack mission, launching 18 Apaches to attack asimulated radar site in the local flying area. The planning andbriefings were conducted using existing telework solutions to
mitigate the risk of COVID transmission. 1-214 GSAB has

COL Ernesto Cortez, Commander, 116th MilitaryIntelligence Brigade, Augusta, GA: Soldiers of the Brigade
are spread across Battalions in Fort Bliss, Fort Hood, Fort
Gordon, and Savannah, Georgia. Shelter-in-place orders
immediately challenged our ability to continue executing our
mission flying and processing aerial intelligence 24/7 across theworld, however our Soldiers and families have been incredibly
innovative and resilient in meeting all our requirements evenwhile day cares, schools, and important services have been
shuttered. Microsoft Teams and Zoom virtual meetings havehelped us all stay in contact with each other to get work done tocontinue to take care of our great Soldiers and Families! While
the great state of Georgia is leading the nation in early reopening, most Soldiers are still restricted from taking part in
those re-opened activities. Everyone is excited to get back to
the “new-normal” here in Georgia once we see fourteen straightdays of decline in new virus cases.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

62

July 31, 2020

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

AAAA Awards

Order of St. Michael
InducteesGOLD
CW5 (R) Michael R. Gwinn
Silver
CSM Lloyd S. Ankrum
COL Gail E. Atkins
CW5 Bill Barfknecht
COL (R) Erskine R. Bentley II
CSM Jay M. Blessing
CW5 Matthew L. Brown
SGM Jerry M. Cowart
COL John P. Davis
CW5 Michael W. Hardy
COL Kenneth A. Hawley
COL Robert R. Keeter
CW5 Eric Knieriemen
CW5 Noel C. Larson

COL Richard A. Martin
CW5 Bobette T. McGettigan
LTCJames T. Naylor
CW5 Bradley J. Nelson
Kevin Scott Rees
CW5 Frank J. Reis
CW5 Walter E. Sanchez
LTC Stephen T. Smith
CW5 Frank A. Turinksy III
CW5 Robin M. Vozar
COL Matthew R. Weinshel
CSM David Wick-Perez
COL Scott D. Wilkinson
COL Charles D. Zimmerman
Bronze1SG Christian Ryan
SFC Daniel M. Addison
SFC Travis R. Baldwin
1SG Phil Banzhof

CW4 Gregory K. Bates
1SG Nicholas R. Bessent
SFC Daniel C. Bittmann
LTC William Brooks
SFC Anthony S. Carro
COL Clifford B. Chick
Richard D. Compton
CW4 Andrew M. Condon
CW4 Michael P. Cooper
1SG Ronney E. Copes
SFC Christopher L. Crowley
LTC Jay De La Vega
CW4 Chris Dellamura
CW3 Keith D. Dolliver
CW4 Darryl Farr
SSG Joshua A. Frasher
SGT Benjamin M. Freda
CW3 Christopher P. Garcia
CPT Ryan J. Gardner
CW4 Jason Y. Gerbert
SSG Andrew C. Gordley
CW5 Hardy Hay
SFC Sherman L. Hill
David Hosum
SFC David P. Howard
SSG Thomas J. Kealy
CW3 Jeffrey M. Keiper
CW4 Scott Kimmie
Raymond J. Koshinski

TAPS Shares Lessons Learned for All During
Covid-19
I think most military families are familiar with TAPS
(Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), founded in
1994 by Bonnie Carroll, whose husband BG Tom Carroll
died in an Army C-12 crash in Alaska in 1992. Bonnie
realized that military families understood isolation, fear, andloss, but survivors working together could empower others.
Today, TAPS offer over 200 annual programs and supports
thousands of participants. Briefings, seminars, camps, andretreats on grief, trauma, and suicide are offered to militarycommands, corporations, and professionals, and their 24/7
national peer support network at 202-588-8277, provides
advice from experts and other resources discovered overnearly 3 decades. TAPS’ motto “You Are Not Alone. We
Are All in This Together” has expanded to provide tools ofsurviving to health care workers, first responders, and fellow
citizens from all walks of life and all ages, and not justthose in the military. Many have been affected by isolation,
fear, and other losses associated with the Coronavirus, andlessons learned over the years for help, hope, and healing arebeing offered to them thru the TAPS website www.taps.org/
covid/together
Judy Konitzer is the family forum editor for ARMY AVIATION;
questions and suggestions can be directed to her at judy@quad-a.org.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

CW4 David J. Kruse
MSG Larry L. Landrum
Frederick D. Langhorn
SFC Alexander Legarreta
SFC Timothy Loveless
LTC Dylan W. Malcomb
CW3 Mark Maziarz-Morales
CW3 Thomas W. McNamara
MAJ Joshua O. Newbrough1SG Christopher M. Owen
SFC Glen T. Perryman II
Patty S. Robertson
CW4 Jefferey Robitaille
Daniel W. Rodebaugh
1SG Jean Rodriquez
LTC Philip Root
1SG Desmond A. Schultz
SFC Sylvester M. Simmons
MAJ Matthew R. Simpson
SFC Thomas A. Smith
SFC Phillip B. Smith
CPT Masaki R. Sudo
CW4 Herbert Theisen
CW3 Christopher O. Thorn
MSG Cavell C. Trought
MAJ Kyle P. Vandingstee
CPT Kevin E. Weber
CW3 Wade R. Whidden

Knight Inductees

COL Kenneth C. Bradford
SFC RichardJason R. Valino

Our Lady of Loreto
Inductees

Ellen Adamowicz
Janelle Bradford
Rachel Kahle
Denise L. Keeter
Kerrie Lee
Bethany Moreshead
Stephanie Peck
Kerrie M. Sheppard
Pamela Vannoy
Erin M. Whitfield

AAAA Awards Excellence!
AAAA Functional Awards
Suspense: September 1

n Air/Sea Rescue
n ATC Facility of the Yearn ATC Unit of the Yearn ATC Technician of the Yearn ATC Controller of the Yearn ATC Manager of the Yearn DUSTOFF Medic of the Yearn Medicine Awardn Trainer of the Year

Send in Your Nominations Today!
Nomination forms for all of the AAAA Awards areavailable on our website: quad-a.org.
Any questions?
Call 203 268-2450.

63

July 31, 2020

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u NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT			AAAA Legislative Report

SASC First to Complete
FY21 Mark-up
The Senate Armed Services
Committee (SASC) was the first of thefour defense committees to complete
their annual mark-up of the two pieces
of annual legislation that fund theDepartment of Defense. On June 11th,
the SASC completed their version of
the National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA) that provides authorizations andpolicy provisions for national defense.
The Republican held Senate passed
the bill through the committee in a bipartisan manner under the leadershipof Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK)
and Ranking Member Jack Reed (DRI). Funding authorizations totaled$740.5B ($636.4B base budget,$25.9M Department of Energy national
defense programs, $69B for overseas
contingency funds, and $8.15B for
military construction).
Army Aviation seems to havegarnered great support from the Senate
committee noting an authorizationof $183B for the Army’s future longrange assault aircraft (FLRAA). Although
Sikorsky and Boeing continue to build
new Black Hawks and Apaches, support
for this program that will replace those
platforms continues to build in Congress.
Other Committees
Trailing Behind
Typically, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) is the first tocomplete its mark-up of the defense
authorization legislation, but they are
lagging behind and the Senate forgedahead with their process. The HASC,
controlled by the Democratically held
House of Representatives will commence their NDAA markup process inearly July. For the political wonks within
our reader base, keep your eye out for

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

By LTC Kevin Cochie, Retired
AAAA Representative to the Military Coalition (TMC)
kevin.cochie@quad-a.org

Edmund Winchester Rucker

authorization levels and policy provisions to be released by the committee
in late July when you receive this article. These days, the political agendas
in the House are different than those in
the Senate so it is likely each the HASC
and SASC will propose quite different
budget numbers and policy provisions
which will ultimately be worked out later
this year when they enter their conference period and look to resolve differences. Additionally, the DoD will haveto wait a bit longer to find out actual
budget amounts for next year because
at the time of this writing neither of thetwo defense committees that appropriate funding, the Senate and House subcommittees on defense appropriations,
had published timelines for the markupof their respective versions of the defense appropriations bill.
Racial Divide, Equality,
Political Correctness, &Military BasesOver the last month protests
demanding racial equality have spread64

throughout the country and there aremany second and third order effects
that emanate from this. One suchdebate involves 10 military bases thatwere named after Confederate soldiers.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has
presented an amendment that requires
the renaming of these bases within 3
years of the FY21 NDAA becoming law.
The Senate defense committee included
this amendment in its version of the
NDAA, but it still must be debated andpassed by the full Senate.
Why is this interesting to Army
Aviation? Colonel Edmund Winchester
Rucker (pictured) is why. Colonel Rucker,
a native of Tennessee, served in the
Confederate Army and then became awealthy industrialist in Birmingham, AL.
The home of Army Aviation, originallyCamp Rucker and now Fort Rucker, isnamed for him.

Upcoming Special Focus
2019 Blue Book Issue

NETWORK l RECOGNITION l VOICE l SUPPORT

August/September 2019

Next-Generation Block II Chinook
Soars into Flight Test

NETWORKlRECOGNITION

l

VOICE

l

SUPPORT

October 31, 2019

AugustSeptemberArmy Aviation Blue Book
AAAA ScholarshipFoundation Grant Winners

October

Aviation Survivability
Aviation Sustainment
Aviation Support
Aviation Soldier Support

Bob Lachowski or
Erika Burgess

AAAAindustry@quad-a.org

203. 268.2450
ARMYAVIATIONmagazine.com

July 31, 2020

AAAA

NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

Industry News Announcements Related to Army Aviation Matters

Honeywell International, doing business as Honeywell
Aerospace-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, has been awarded a maximum

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

$27,243,370 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity
contract for aircraft generator auxiliary power units in support of theBlack Hawk helicopter; work will be performed in Arizona, with a June15, 2025, ordering period end date.

Almost All Defense Companies Back In
Operation

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PHOTO BY U.S. AIR FORCE SSGT. JACK SANDERS

L-3 Technologies Inc., Insight Division-Subsidiary of
L3 Harris, Tempe, AZ, has been awarded a maximum $7,000,000

As many parts of the country begin to loosen restrictions caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic, the companies of the defense industrial basehave for the most part reopened for business, according to Ellen M.
Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment at aJune 22, 2020 Pentagon briefing.
According to Lord only 33 total companies in the industrial base,largely smaller services providers tracked by the Defense Logistics
Agency, remain closed for business. “Out of 10,509 companies DCMA
tracks: we are down to two closed, and 267 companies having closed
and reopened,” she said. “Out of 11,413 companies DLA tracks: 31 areclosed with 661 having closed and reopened.”“We see an enormous amount of recovery in the defense industrialbase. It depends on location and what type of work is being performed,
but there is enormous progress coming back,” she said. “Obviously, formanufacturing, we need people on the line. So, we’re doing things differently in terms of following CDC guidelines and so forth.”
Lord said that aviation and shipbuilding supply chains would continue to see stabilization efforts and that advanced progress payments tocompanies has hit over $2 billion, with all of the prime contractors having“confirmed their detailed plans to work with their supply chains to accelerate payments to identify distressed companies, and small businesses.”
DoD is tracking a roughly three-month period of delays that could haverepercussions on some major defense programs, Lord said, but did notgive any specific examples. “DoD continues to partner with our industry
partners to do everything possible to keep programs on schedule and tominimize the cost and schedule impacts,” Lord said. “This is obviously adynamic situation, and the overall impacts will not be completely known fora while as we work through how we operate over the next few months.”firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the
production of the MX-12389 image intensifier tubes in support of fieldlevel maintenance of the AN/AVS-6 night vision imaging system; this is afive-year base contract with no option periods; location of performanceis New Hampshire, with a March 30, 2025, completion date.

Sherwood Aviation,* Opa Locka, FL, was awarded an$18,636,740 firm-fixed-price contract for overhaul/repair of CH-47
gas turbine engines; work locations and funding will be determinedwith each order, with an estimated completion date of April 23, 2025.

Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, NV, was awarded an $88,000,000
modification on an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixedprice, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost reimbursable contract (H9224119-D-0009) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command(USSOCOM) for the Degraded Visual Environment Pilotage System;
this modification raises the contract ceiling to $110,000,000; themajority of the work will be performed in Sparks.

The Boeing Co., Mesa, AZ, was awarded a $114,046,847

modification to contract W58RGZ-19-C-0024 for logistics,
components and services for helicopters; work will be performed in
Mesa with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2021.

Advertisers Index
ALKAN....................................................................................... 45
Army National Guard..................................................................... 7
AVT Simulation........................................................................... 13
CAE............................................................................................. 1
Cobham..................................................................................... 17
Coastal Seat Cushions, Inc........................................................... 25
Columbia Helicopters, Inc............................................................ 25
Dallas Avionics ........................................................................... 23David Clark Company.................................................................... 2
Flight Safety International............................................................ 53
Inter-Coastal Electronics, Inc........................................................ 12
KIHOMAC................................................................................... 21
L3 Harris Wescam......................................................................... 5
Lockheed Martin......................................................................... 72
LSI, Inc....................................................................................... 29
Meggitt Defense Systems............................................................ 27
Phantom Products Inc................................................................. 31
Pinnacle Solutions...........................................................................71
Rolls Royce Corporation...................................................................11
Science and Engineering Services, SES, Inc....................................... 9
SKEDCO, Inc............................................................................... 19
Yulista Holdings, LLC................................................................... 41

Contracts – (From various sources. An “*” by a company nameindicates a small business contract)

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, CA,
was awarded a $9,943,746 modification to contract W58RGZ19-C-0027 for continuation effort for the Gray Eagle Unmanned
Aircraft System; work will be performed in Poway, with an estimatedcompletion date of April 23, 2021.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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People On The Move
Changes of Command/
Responsibility

SECARMY Promotes Gill

Wings of Destiny Welcomes
Habhab

The Honorable Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretaryof the United States Army, promoted
BG Clair A. Gill to his current rank during a
ceremony held at the 101st Airborne Division(Air Assault) headquarters, Ft. Campbell, KY
on June 11, 2020. Gill, who serves as thedeputy commanding general, support, had
his new rank pinned on by his father, MG Clair
F. Gill, U.S. Army Retired, and son, Joshua,with his wife, Fran, and mother observing.

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

COL Andrew R. Graham, incoming
commander of the 160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment (Airborne), receives theregiment colors from BG Allan M. Pepin,

66

commanding general of the U.S. Army Special
Operations Aviation Command, during achange of command ceremony on June 12,2020 at the General B. Doug Brown Compound,
Ft. Campbell, KY. Graham assumed commandfrom COL Scott D. Wilkinson (right) who had
been in command since June 2018 and isheaded to Ft. Bragg, NC to serve as the U.S.
Army Special Operations Command chief ofstaff. Also pictured is regiment CSM Mark
Baker (center).

Awards

Watson is AAAA USMA Top Cadet

COURTESY PHOTO

Graham Takes Over the Night
Stalkers

U.S. ARMY COURTESY PHOTO

BG James “Jamie” C. Wilkins was promoted tohis current rank in a small ceremony June 13,2020 at the Montana Joint Forces Headquarters by Montana Adjutant General, Major General Matthew Quinn. His wife, Katie, helped toreplace his new rank shoulder boards. Wilkins,
who is the AAAA Big Sky Chapter president, willtake the helm as the Director of the Joint Staff,
Montana National Guard.

Incoming commander, COL Travis Habhab
receives the 101st Combat Aviation
Brigade colors from 101st Airborne Division
Commanding General, MG Brian Winski,
as outgoing commander, COL Matthew
Weinshel (right), and CSM Eric Arant (center)look on during a May 29, 2020, change ofcommand ceremony at the Division Parade
Field, Ft. Campbell, KY. Weinshel will move
to Ft. Bragg, NC as the deputy commanderof U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation
Command.

MONTANA NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO

Wilkins Pins On

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SPC BEVERLY ROCHE

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SPC JOHN SIMPSON, 40TH PUBLIC AFFAIRS DET.

Aviation General Officer
Promotions/Assignments

On June 9, COL Rich Melnyk and CPT
Jonathan Lunde presented 2LT Haley
Watson with a plaque and coin from
AAAA to recognize her as the top cadet
who branched Aviation from West Point.
2LT Watson was first recognized in April
during a virtual sendoff event held with herclassmates, staff and faculty from West
Point, and guest speaker BG Mac McCurry.
2LT Watson was an American Politics major
and captain of the women’s track teamduring her time as a cadet. She excelledin the academic, leadership, and physicalaspects of cadet life. After a graduation
ceremony at West Point on 13 June, 2LT
Watson will attend graduate school on a
Rotary scholarship at the King’s College inthe United Kingdom before attending flightschool at Fort Rucker, AL.

July 31, 2020

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NETWORK I RECOGNITION I VOICE I SUPPORT u

People On The Move

US ARMY PHOTO

Non-Rated Warrant Officer Graduates

AAAA congratulates the following officers graduating from the Aviation Maintenance Warrant Officer Basic course at the U.S. Army Aviation
Logistics School, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA.
10 Officers June 8, 2020
WO1 Joshua Miller
WO1 Steven Snyder

WO1 Christian Grimm
WO1 Mark Row

WO1 Matthew Cox
WO1 Luke Herdman

WO1 Suchat Junpram
WO1 Jeffery MillsWO1 John Smith
WO1 Scott Walker

Wo1 Saud Husain
ADVANCEDINDIVIDUAL TRAINING PVT Jason Ober
PV2 Sean Pendrys(AIT) GRADUATIONSSPC Mark Rickey

PV2 Hunter Andrew Heslep
PV2 Brian Filmore Smith, Jr
A1C Juan Pablo AngelSPC Taylor Ash Humphrey
PV2 Nathan Evan Yeakel
A1C Justin Michael Bailey
SPC Aleksei Yuryevich Kosarev Class 029-20
A1C Hunter Louis Edrington
PV2 Richard Joseph Melendez PV2 Anthony S. Merrill * - DG A1C Jacob Anthony Ellis
PV2 Tyler Dare Moerder
SGT Matthew S. Gigliotti
A1C Jason Mackan Jones
AAAA congratulates the fol- PVT Louis Wagner
SGT Michael Allen Moore
PV2 Emily Marie Hare
A1C Kyler Duane Westlowing Army graduates of the PV2 John Whited III
Class018-20
SGT
MichaelVictor
Ryan
PFC
Khaki
D.
HurleyClass 032-20
indicated Advanced Individual
SPC Brandon M. Smith
PV2 Austin Allan Jahn
PFC Caelon J. Tautz * - DG
Training (AIT) courses at the PVT Nicholas Lalum * - DG
SPC Tyler James Townsen
SPC Jonathan J. Johnson
SPC Nicholas A. Amodio
128th Aviation Brigade, Joint SPC Juan Alvarez
Class 013-20
PV2 Lillian Marie Keough
PV2 Damon Shane Bedford
Base Langley-Eustis, VA and PV2 Gabriel Davis
PV2
Kevin
Ellis
PV2
Jacob
Willie
Smith
*
DG
SPC
Ryan
James
Krummel
SPC Michael Cody Cutcher
the U.S. Army Aviation Center
PVT Max William Hardy
PFC Corey Michael Mena
SPC Jerad Michael Hoyt
of Excellence, Ft. Rucker, AL. PVT Adrian Gallardo
PV2 Balee Gomez
PFC Derrick Logan Monastere SGT Nicholas Andrew Meyer SPC John McKinley Meade, Jr
PVT Ulysses Grant II
PFC Wyatt Robert Mosher
SGT Samuel Isaac Petters
PV1 Elliot Woodrow Morigeau
AH-64 Attack Helicopter
PVT
Christian
Guerramarinero
PV2
SherryLee
Neumann
SPC
Ty
BryantZofchak
PV2 Chandler J. Nicholson
Repairer (15R)
SGT Timothy Healey
PFC Jordan Nicholas Phillips Class 030-20
PFC John Frederick Olivo
Class 015-20
SPC Christopher Leyva
PV2 Jonathan G. Rodriguez
PFC Justin Drew Burton * - DG PFC Jeremy Dean Sauder
PV2 Paul Kingsbury * - DG
PVT Chase Maciejewski
PV2 Reese Logan Smith
PFC Mitchell Scott Ades
PV2 Ivan Toru Takada
PV2 Yates Harlan
SGT
WilliamRoberts
PFC
Conner
Lewis
Tattersall
PV2
SpencerM.
BlanchardClass 033-20
PVT Joshua Hornbeck
PVT Jackson Herber
PFC Branden Anthony Tobar
PFC Dustin Evan Butzler
PV2 Kiannah Ann Laoto * - DG
SPC Justin Kristl
SGT Saulo Knudsen
SPC Edward Wafula Wambwa PFC Austin Lee Cooper
SPC Savannah L Bertschinger
PVT Matthew Loukota
SPC Bracken McKinlay
PFC George Ibragin De Haro SPC Jeremy Alexander Corn
SPC Jonathan Mason
PVT Isai Reyes-Quiroz
UH-60 Helicopter Repairer PFC Elijah Thomas Dick
PV2 Justin David Demmer
PVT Lane McDonald
PVT Lancejoshua Sambaoa(15T)
PV2 Caleb Mitchell Douglas
PV2 Gabriela R Guardino
PVT Tyler Moore
Class 027-20
PV2 Daniel Dewey Gainey
PVT Caleb Josef Hatch
PV2 Philip Pendleton
CH-47 Medium Helicopter PFC Daniel G. Peters * - DG PFC Keneth Nayiel G.Morales PFC Andrew Bradley Jensen
PVT William Powers
Repairer (15U)SPC Samuel Adam Ard
PFC Juan Carlos Gonzalez III PFC Jacob Kelly Mabry
PV2 Prince Pujitha
Class 011-20
PV2 Corel Anyssa Bagby
PFC Darren Edward Grant
PV2 Jon Kinne MacCallum
Class 016-20
PV2 Chucho L. Conner * – DG PFC Daltyn Hunter Besancon Class 202-20
SPC Luke Joseph Stevens
PFC Justin Vaughn * - DG
PVT Emily McKenzie Bolisinger SPC Lane Michael Bowman
PV2 Bryce H. Mosburg * - DG SPC Xianyi Wang
PVT Bawi Mang
PV2 Kolton River Brauch
PV2 Patrick Michael Bray
SPC Kymarni O HuntClass 034-20
PVT Tybias Anderson
PV2 Emauel Burgos Colon
PV2 Mary Josephine Grivas
PV2 Justin Michael Kuhn
PFC BrandonA.Lopesilvero * - DG
PVT Jacob Farrar
SPC John Newman ColeSPC Jaquante L. Harden
PFC Corban Seth Lamb
PFC Raul Alanis
PVT Michael Gill
PFC Tan Quang Dang
SPC Corey Charles Hill
PV2 David Christopher Larsen PFC Alexander Scott Gagne
PV2 Grant Hutchison
PV2 Justin Alan Engle
PV2 Colby James Morgan
PV2 Bryan Omar Lopezsoto
PV2 John Riley Lee
PVT Garrett Platt
PV2 Thomas Edward Finley
Class 028-20
PV2 Shawn Riley Monfette
PV2 Chet Claremont Rabon
PVT Kevin Rodriguez
PV2 Rhiannon Laine Moon
PFC Connor J. Smith * - DG PFC Abdul R Muhammed
PFC Logan Tyler Rosenbarger
SPC Omar Sewell
SPC Shawn Tyler Murphy
PFC Hunter D. Beachpennock PFC Dean E. Poppenga III
PV2 Julian J. Simental
PFC Corbin Switzer
PV2
BayleyJean
Reynolds
PV2
Kierden
Methe
Blessing
SPC
Maurice
OrvilleSawyers
PV2 William Patrick SlapePFC Mitchell Ware
SPC Raul Ercides Torres II
PV2 Diego Clemente Cazares PFC Zachary David Vial
PV2 Cameron Winter SmithClass 017-20
PV2 Hayden John Collins
PV2 Brandon Mitchell Whitley PV2 Cody H. Spencer
PFC Eric Melgarejo-Hurtado * - DG Class 012-20
PFC Spencer L. Koester * – DG PFC Stephen Howard Erickson Class 031-20
PFC James Nathaniel Wheeler
PVT Diego Camarillo
SPC
Lance
A.
Burnworth
PFC
Christopher
C.
Gatewood
A1C
Kyle
E.
Anderson*DG
PV2 Garrett Cassady
AIT Graduations continued on page 68
PFC Gavin Blayne Fullwood
PV2 Cameron Nathan Hasson A1C Brett Jackson AlredPVT Dominic Horton

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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People On The MoveAIT Graduations

Aircraft Electrician (15F)PV2 Jakob Nathan Saks
PV2 Fabio Ramosperez
PFC Gabriel W. Alvarado
Class 007-20
PV2 Oliver Ray Sullivan III
PV2 Coulten Robinson
PFC Argus R. Bennett Jr.
PV2 Nathan T. Campbell * - DG PV2 Cole Dame Wilson
Class 003-20
PFC Justin S. Ferko
PV2 Benjamin Beau N. Alley PFC Carlos J. Zamorano-Frias PV2 Gavin Herr * - DG
PFC Luke B. Griffin
Class 203-20
Avionic Repairer (15N)
PVT Tyler Bax
PFC Austin A. Lowery
PFC Connor M. Calhoun - DG PV2 Cody Michael Arthur
SFC Muhamad Amri
PV2 Gaven A. Beck
SPC Peter Charles Anderson CPL Rodolfo Tayong Astudillo Class 001-20
PV2 Clayton Scott Gale
PV2 Cayne A.Chartrand * - DG SPC Kainnon Booker
PV2 Joseph K. Buickerood
PV2 Devin Reeve Bordelon
PV2 Joshua Alex Cafer
PVT Kyle Bradley
PV2 Christopher L. Farmer
PFC Jaden Lee Cridlebaugh SPC Hugo Morales Flores
PV2 Sean P. Hansen
PFC Axel D. Echevarriasanchez PV2 Monica Elizabeth Wenten PV2 Luke Wayland Childress PVT Cameron Clark
Class 008-20
PFC Precious Khimaje KingPVT Joshua Coleman
PV2 Jadan A. Jones
PV2 Ronald Joseph Ernest
SGT Rokas Kisielius
PVT Tyson Eheler
PV2 Joshua W. Klein
SPC Aleksandr Igorevic Fedin PV2 Riley A. Combs * - DG
SGT Charles Thomas Banks Jr PVT Jovante Demetrius Sims PFC Cory Hendrix
PV2 Jatavian D. Lusane
PV2 Joshua Gerald Kaiser
PV2 Mark Anthony Contreras CPL Christopher Lee Thomas PVT Noah Inman
PV2 Hunter A. Madden
PV2 Jason Zachary KingPV2 Ryan William Cooper
Class 002-20
SPC Chase Jacques
PV2 Colin C. Pare
PV2 Trevor James Lockhart
PV2 Nickolas Kirk Hannivig
PFC Joshua M. Dempsey * - DG PV2 Jenna Ramker
PV2 Aaron J. Rota
PV2 Kameron Taylor West
PV2 Steven Dejesus Rivera
Class 004-20
PV2 Caleb R. Swayne
PV2 Christopher Eric Williams PV2 Andrew AnthonyLongmore
PV2 Matthew Dodd Devaney PVT Andrew Santos * - DG
PV2 Alden W. Sylvester
PV2 Bailey Michael Otto
SPC Sebastian G. Betancourt PV2 Garret Ball
PVT Alvaro A. Chacon
Aircraft Powerplant
PV2 Hector Oswaldo Saavedra PV2 Jack Nghia Ho
SPC Jordan Minden
PVT Cole D. CormierRepairer (15B)
Aircraft Pnedraulics
PV2 Malik Jamal Jamison
PVT Arthur Ortizcook
PVT Matthew D. Delacerda
Class 007-20
SPC Jason Saizen Johnson
PFC Thomas Parker
PVT Carlos A. Espinoza
PV2 Morgan S. Courrege * - DG Repairer (15H)
PV2 Kevin Matthew Lozano
PVT Chandler Pointer
PVT Chandler M. Farmer
PFC Gerinnerd Amparo Perez Class 007-20
PV2 Brannon T. Kirkpatrick * - DG Class 003-20
PVT Brandon Rioux
PVT Britney M. Ford
PV2 Andrew Luis Avila
PV2 Roberto Kaiu Caballero
PV2 Jacob M. Pruitt * - DG
PV2 Dylan Smith
PVT Nathan J. Gates
PFC Nicholas C.ClinePFC Noah Micheal McGowan PVT Christian Torres
PVT Dejuan Gibson
PV2 Christian James Gibson MSG Omer Dogu Dincer
PV2 Dawson Patrick Fischer PFC Collin Jarrett Palmatier
PVT Joseph Weaver
PVT Marquez G. Gutierrez
PV2 Nijule Lee Hayes
SFC Serkan Ozkan
SPC Sisomsay Phabmysay- DG: Distinguished Graduate PVT Ashleigh N. Hajher
PV2 D’andre Jamal Kelly
PVT Devin J. Hansbury
PFC Joseph-Martin Martinez Aircraft Structural Repairer PV2 Dustin Scott Tekirdaglis - HG: Honor Graduate(15G)
PFC Franky Emanuel V. Torres * = AAAA Member
PVT Tristan D. Hansen
PV2 Andy Lester MitchellClass 003-20
PFC Charles Maxwell Vincent
PVT Jaydon R. Johnson
PV2 Richard Ramirez
UNMANNED AIRCRAFTPVT Charle R. Parris
PV2 Matthew Luigi Sperandio PV2 Seth J. Dewboys * - DG
AH-64 Armament/
SYSTEMS (UAS)PVT Leonardo D. Martinez
PV2 Jose Ivan Vazquez Rolon PV2 Garyon Austin Brumley
PV2 Cody Isaac Bynum
Electrical/Avionic Systems GRADUATIONSPVT Charles W. Nazarenko
PFC Jomalier V. Hidalgo
PV2 Jacob Steven Cvetnic
Repairer (15Y)PVT Jace H. Patsel
Class 008-20
PV2 Carson Dean Dunsbergen Class 001-20
UAS REPAIRER
PVT Gabriel A. Pellom
PV2 Justin M. Dillon * - DG
PFC Lacie Thompson * - DG AAAA congratulates the fol- PVT Noah T. RhodeSGT Matthew Delynn Liveoak PV2 Bryan Gallegos
PV2 Joseph A. Gallucio IV
PFC Nicholas Mitchelllowing Army graduates of the PVT Zachary E. Storem
PFC Andrew Joesph Tinner
PV2 Joseph C. Garza II
PV2 Jacob Wilson
Unmanned Aircraft Systems PVT Isaac Valenzuela
Aircraft Powertrain
SPC Angela Jauleyn Graciani PV2 Montana Howard
Repairer Course, MOS 15E, at PVT Devin Von Robbins
Repairer (15D)
PV2 Shawn Ray Grandstaff
PV2 Joshua Brenizer
Fort Huachuca, AZ.
Gray Eagle UAS Operator
Class 003-20
Shadow UAS Repairer
CoursePV2JaimeSalinas-Conchas*-DG PV2 Thomas Anthony Hagen PV2 Dakota Busby
PV2 Christian Jacob Handy
PV2 Matthew Carter
Course24 Graduates, 28 April
CPT Omar Said A. Abdelaty
PFC Alando D Johnson
PV2 Santana Cruz
8 Graduates, 7 May 2020
2020
PFC Malik Marcus Brown
2LT Elias Rahme
PV2 John Harrison
SPC Patrica S. McClainPFC George R. Rogers
PV2 Kyle William Davis
PV2 Jose Herrera III
SPC Kristian Mercado
PV2 Hellen Ballestas
PV2 Daniel Christopher Eagle SPC William Robert Vanwye
Class 004-20
Class 002-20
PV2 Austin M. Macclemmy
PV2 Shane M. Bellocabral
PV2 Ashley A.Echeagaray
PV2 Jose Alberto P. Chavez - DG PFC Paxton Wells * - DG
PV2 Matthew J. Vasquez
PV2 Jeremiah V. Caspersen
PV2 Kaleb Dale Gatlin
PV2 Evan Weber
PVT Toney L. Bonetti
PV2 Jaquan M. Epps
PV2 James Darrell Hannah Jr. PV2 Jacob Anthony Aragon
SPC Nicholas Wagner
PVT Tayler T. Nguyen
PV2 Zachary T. Krueger
PVT Nickolas Anthony Jones PV2 Kyle Dale Bean
PFC Jonathan Latimer Bjork Jr SPC Zakai Norwood
PVT Brandon L. Reyes
PV2 Austin J. Mohlis
PFC Yasir Azeez Kadhim
PV2 Jordan Wayne Blanchard PV2 Connor Kenchel
PVT Brandon F. Schiller
PV2 William R. Payne
PV2 Madison Leigh Lewis
SPC Lorenzo Diaz Restrepo
PV2 Mason Logdahl
PV2 Daniel Silva
SPC Knight Lawrence Licos
PFC Guessim M. Kafando
PV2 Cody Mansil
UAS OPERATOR
PV2 Julia J. Wenshau
PV2 Justin Heath Matthews
PV2 James Joseph Novak
PV2 Tariq McLamb
AAAA
congratulates
the PVT Maynard Allison
PV2 Manuel Jose M.Nunez
PV2 Timothy Miller
following Army graduates of PVT Sian J. Blackwell
PV2 Benjamin Robert Parker PV2 Dakota Ray Pitrucha
PV2 James Raymond Rocca PVT Dylan Nalley
the Unmanned Aircraft Systems PVT Calisa A. BorenPFC Jon Luke Walter
Operator Course, MOS 15W, at PVT David L. Guzman III
Fort Huachuca, AZ.
PVT Frank M. Herrera IV
UPCOMING EVENTS
Shadow UAS Operator
PVT Lucas P. Hood
CoursePVT Justin C. Huber
AUGUST 2020
48 Graduates, 24 April
PVT Corbin F. Martinez
1 Submission Deadline – Logistics Support Unit of the Year; Materiel Readiness
2020
PVT Gabriella E. Mejia
Awards; Fixed Wing Unit of the Year; UAS Soldier and Unit of the Year Awards
SGT Landis S. Garza
PVT Angela I. Pernell
25-26 AAAA Luther G. Jones Army Aviation Depot Forum, Corpus Christi, TX
SGT Niels C. Wenblad
PVT Steven A. Powell III
SPC Derell H. Chandler
PVT Kaleb M. Rogers
28-31 NGAUS 142nd General Conference & Exhibition, Boston, MA.
SPC Benjamin L. Cropper
PVT Hunter M. Trostle
SEPTEMBER 2020
SPC Paul H. Jones
PVT Nathan A. Westrick
1 Award Submission Deadline – Air/Sea Rescue, ATC Facility of the Year, ATCSPC Seth A. Matarazzooliver DHG = Distinguished Honor
Company of the Year, ATC Maintenance Technician of the Year, ATC Controller of
SPC Pricilla Montebella
Graduate
the Year, ATC Manager of the Year, DUSTOFF Flight Medic of the Year, Medicine,
SPC Hunter C. Seals
HG = Honor Graduate
Trainer of the Year Awards
SPC Jonathan W. Townley* = AAAA Member
Continued

ARMY AVIATION Magazine

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July 31, 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

Special Operations Aviation
With his guest editorial, General
Wayne A. Downing highlighted
a significant point with regards
to Special Operations Aviation:“The challenges of adapting ahigh-technology force to a lowtechnology environment will not
be easy. “The fight in Mogadishu
on 3 October 1993 exemplifies thischallenge. “The 160th SOAR (A)employed some of its best-trained
aviators and the best helicoptersin the world in a low-technology
environment. “In an asymmetricalapplication of force and technology,
a simple weapon—the RPG-7—
was used to shoot down two Black
Hawks and make the fight exceedingly
difficult.” NOTE: See page 6, “Special Operations Aviation,”Army Aviation, July 31, 1995, by General Wayne A. Downing

Presidio of Monterey
CW4 Donald R. Joyce (right), a
student of the Thai language at
the Defense Language Instituteand a member of AAAA’s National Executive Board, receives
his Master Army Aviator wings
f r o mColonelKibbey M. Horne, Commandant. The
dual rated CW4 has logged over 6,800
flying hours during his Army career.

July 1995

Briefings
The Vietnam Veterans of the 282nd AHC,
will hold a reunion at the Ramada Inn South,
Nashville, Tenn., on 11-13 August 1995. Thoseinterested in attending should contact, Mr. Tom
Pullin, 910-822-2902.
Briefings
The Government of Romania and Bell Helicopter Textron
announced on 15 June a major cooperative program to produce 96 AH-1F
Cobra attack helicopters for the
Romanian armed
forces. Production
will be centeredin Romania, commencing in 1996.
The production
run is due to conclude in 2005.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine

April-May 1970

“By the Buy, Ye Shall Know Them!”
Auston Garland attempted to answer the question. “Does technology
engender increased cost?” The question of cost is a stark dilemma of war: Cost in lives… cost in money. America decided on the latter. This, of course, leads to more sophisticatedand therefore more expensive weaponry; with the helicopter
as an example. Mr.
Garland bears thisout with The Congressional Record:“It reports that thehelicopter support
furnished in Vietnam has had theequivalent value of
one million combat
troops. Since that support is later identified as having comefrom approximately 3,000 machines and 30,000 men, it follows that the 3,000 machines offset the costs of 970,000
men. At $13,000/year/soldier (same reference), the cost ofover two billion dollars for troops equates to an annual allowable cost of over seven million dollars per machine.”
Experience
The 100 members of Aviation Warrant Officer Intermediate
Class (AWOIC) 70-2, now in residence at USAAVNS, havecumulative fixed wing and rotary wing flying time exceeding
274,000 hours; this includes 133,007 of combat time, close
to 1,500 hours per man.
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July 31, 2020

Army Aviation

Hall of Fame
Major General
George S. Beatty Jr.
The Army Aviation Hallof Fame, sponsored by
the Army Aviation
Association of America,
Inc., recognizes thoseindividuals who have madean outstanding c­ ontribution
to Army ­Aviation.

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

During the 1960’s when the Army’s Air
Mobility concept was born, tested, andproven in combat, George Beatty played key
roles in each of the phases.
In 1962 he was assigned to the Army’s Tactical Mobility Requirements
Board (“Howze Board”) where he was instrumental in the writing of the planfor the accomplishment of the Board’s mission. He supervised the running andrecording of the field tests of all aspects of the Board’s interest. Upon completionof the Board report, he and Colonel (later Lieutenant General) John Norton
went to Washington to brief the Board’s findings and recommendations to theSecretary of Defense and other interested Federal Agencies.
He was assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division (AAD) in January 1963 asCommanding Officer, 1st Brigade and commanded that Brigade through all of
the testing and field exercises. He briefly commanded the 11th Aviation Groupin 1965 during which time a composite Aviation Company was formed and sent
to the Dominican Republic to support the XVIII Corps.
When the 11th AAD was redesignated as the 1st Cavalry Division(Airmobile), Beatty was assigned as Chief of Staff where he coordinated theplanning and loading out of the division. In Vietnam, he served as Chief of Staff,
and then Brigade Commander of the 1st Brigade. During this eventful year hesaw the air assault concept, which he had helped pioneer, proven under fire andaccepted by the U.S. Army.
From 1968 to 1970, he commanded the Army Flight Training Center atHunter Army Airfield at Fort Stewart, Georgia where several hundred rotary
wing pilots were graduated every two weeks. Training of South Vietnamesestudents was initiated during this period, and their unfamiliarity with theEnglish language required the introduction of special innovative teaching
techniques to enable those students to succeed.
Throughout his career, General Beatty was involved in many pioneeringdevelopments in the concepts, training, organization, tactics, and equipment thathave been incorporated into Army Aviation as we know it today.

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July 31,2020

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