In May 2010, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced he had ordered the Pentagon to conduct a top-to-bottom review of the military bureaucracy in search of at least $10 billion in annual savings. He said, "Given America’s difficult economic circumstances and parlous fiscal condition, military spending on things large and small can and should expect closer, harsher scrutiny. The gusher has been turned off, and will stay off for a good period of time."Recently at a Pentagon press conference, Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen outlined the results of that review. T...
In response to a recent magazine article that asks the question “Why are so many of the most talented officers now abandoning military service?” the editor of ARMY suggested that I update my article on the same subject written for ARMY 10 years ago. I reread the article and chose not to change anything, believing it to be just as appropriate and timely now as it was then. I have, however, added a postscript that addresses some of the complaints, protestations and comments found not only in the article but also in quantity on the Internet.
Once again the newspaper is telling me that the best and...
What is it?Full spectrum aviation is the ability to deliver maximum aviation capabilities in the most timely and flexible manner to the warfighter.It provides the Army a balanced ability to deliver the combat, combat support, and combat service support, while maximizing efficiencies in training, maintenance and support across Army aviation. What has the Army done?Army aviation has been restructured to align it with the task and purpose of formations, improve readiness and enhance reserve component readiness by streamlining the mobilization process and increasing our investment in training.The...
"Army aviation exists to support the ground soldier, and this is not a new thing. This is why we exist," the director of the Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker, Ala., told attendees Jan. 13 at the Association of the United States Army’s Aviation Symposium and Exposition at National Harbor, Md.Commenting on the several current and future trends in Army aviation as the nation fights two wars – Iraq and Afghanistan – and to be prepared and ready to continue the fight if the need exists, Ellis W. Golson said, "We must be...
Army aviation can’t go forward in the future with its current science and technology (S&T) budget, warned Brig. Gen. William T. Crosby, the Army’s aviation program executive officer.With just $107 million to spend for this year, Crosby, speaking Jan. 13 at AUSA’s Aviation Symposium and Exposition, said there will have to be some "hard decisions and risks in some areas" if the Army wants to continue exploring new S&T advancements in aviation.Currently, the Army is only upgrading existing platforms, and the only new aircraft in the inventory are unmanned aerial vehicles.The projections are that...
When Army National Guard units deploy overseas and take aviation assets with them, it sometimes leaves voids back home, but a National Guard official said CH-47 Chinooks expected to be fielded beginning this month may alleviate some of that concern.When National Guard aircraft deploy, governors are concerned about their ability to respond to disasters, Col. Michael E. Bobeck, chief, Aviation and Safety Division, National Guard Bureau, said.Bobeck and others in the Army’s aviation community spoke on a five-member panel, titled "Sourcing the Warfighter with Aviation Capabilities," Jan. 13, at...
The Army’s newest medevac helicopter is seeing action in Iraq with an aviation company from the Vermont Army National Guard.C Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment deployed in November with 12 HH-60M helicopters, the latest medical variant of the Army’s Black Hawk airframe.The unit is the first to receive the HH-60M and is serving as a test-bed for the aircraft.In addition to its medevac mission, the unit’s crews are working with representatives from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to work through the kinks of the aircraft’s new systems.It is already popular with the unit’s crew members."It...
"I want to know what’s good about Army aviation and what can be improved so we can meet the demands of the commanders and soldiers in the field," the chief of the Army Aviation Branch and the commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker, Ala., said.Addressing the Association of the United States Army’s Aviation Symposium and Exposition Jan. 14, Brig. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, added, "Nothing is more important than how we train and sustain the flow of highly qualified aviation professionals to rapidly meet the demands of commanders worldwide and expertly...
The commander, command sergeant major and a standardization pilot from Task Force Falcon said that their mission was to conduct full-spectrum aviation operations throughout Regional Command – East during Operation Enduring Freedom 10 in Afghanistan in order to neutralize anti-Afghan forces, protect the population and provide freedom of maneuver throughout the area of operations.Speaking Jan. 14 on a panel discussing "The CAB Commander’s Experience in the Warfight" at the Association of the United States Army’s Aviation Symposium and Exposition at National Harbor, Md., Col. Donald N. Galli...
Story by 2nd Lt. Devin Osburn, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C BAGHDAD—To help lay the foundations for maximizing his unit’s efforts to enhance security throughout their area of operations in Baghdad, Maj. Gen. Baha, commander of the 4th Iraqi Federal Police Division, recently visited Joint Security Station Falcon to meet with Lt. Col. Matthew Moore, commander of 5th “Longknife” Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center.The purpose of the meeting between the two leaders was to establish an ongoing working...
Story and photo by Spc. Roland Hale, PAO eCAB, 1st Inf. Div. CAMP TAJI, Iraq –The Army’s last active duty aviation brigade in Iraq is heading home after a year-long deployment in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. The Enhanced Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division deployed from Fort Riley, Kan., last March, and quickly became an integral player in U.S. Forces-Iraq’s mission here. When it first arrived, the unit was one of four aviation brigades in Iraq. Over the course of the deployment, however, it rapidly assumed responsibility for all Army aviation operations in the...
Story by Sgt. Daniel Santana, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C BAGHDAD—Being a tanker in the U.S. Army comes with many challenges. Multi-tasking, fast thinking and effective communication are required to stay alive on the battlefield.In Iraq, some tankers, like the Soldiers with 3rd platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, are helping U.S. and Iraqi forces stay alive from above the battlefield—with the aerostat blimp.After graduating from one station unit training and arriving to a unit, tankers...
Story by Spc. Michael Graham and Pfc. Benjamin Butler, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-CBAGHDAD—The ability to fire one’s rifle accurately is among the most critical skills a Soldier can possess. To improve that skill, Soldiers with Company A “Aces,” 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center conducted a combined short-range marksmanship range Jan. 19 at Joint Security Station Nasir Wa Salaam, Iraq.However, this time the Aces were not alone on the range. Soldiers from the 24th Brigade, 6th Iraq Army Division and Ugandan...
Story by 2nd Lt. Andrew Cotter, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C BAGHDAD—U.S. forces have been conducting humanitarian aid missions in Iraq for years, providing everything from basic medical assistance to handing out soccer balls to children. These used to be entirely or primarily U.S.-led missions. However, under Operation New Dawn, Iraqi Federal Police units are now taking the lead to help make their neighborhoods a better place to live.On Jan. 15, Soldiers with 1st “Steel” Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division –...
Story and photo by Spc. William K. Ermatinger, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C BAGHDAD—The “Desert Lions” of the 34th Mechanized Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division are getting an upgraded capability along with world-class training.These Iraqi tankers are training with Soldiers from the 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center to learn M1A1 Abrams tank skills at Camp Taji, Iraq.Since its reconstitution into the Iraqi Army in 2003, the 9th IA Div. has used salvaged Russian T-72 tanks. Now, with cooperation...