"A Time for Thanks and Ensuring Our Legacy"                      July 2010

In case you have not heard, our Branch Chief, MG Jim Barclay, is moving to Washington, DC, to assume his new responsibilities as the Deputy G3/5/7.

Since the next issue of this magazine will come out after his change of command, I need to take this opportunity to thank Jim for shepherding the Army Aviation Branch through some challenging times and building a platform for future growth.

MG Barclay’s successes during his command of Fort Rucker are too numerous to list in this article, but to mention a few: securing two additional combat aviation brigades in the active structure, driving down the training bubble at Rucker, the modernization of the Army’s fleet of aircraft, and publishing the UAS Roadmap for the Army.

We regret losing this positive force for change in Army Aviation, but we recognize the impact that his leadership will generate at the Department of the Army.

Luckily, the incoming CG of FortRucker, BG Tony Crutchfield, is just the man to step in and lead Army Aviation.

BG Crutchfield has already made a large impact on our AAAA mission statement: Supporting the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family.

As a 10th Mountain aviation brigade commander, Tony pushed AAAA to assume a greater role in recognizing his soldiers’ families and specifically their spouses.

Colonel Crutchfield, at that time, worked diligently on his own initiative with our Executive Director, Bill Harris, to institute a new award to recognize spouses and others in the community who make our mission possible.

A parallel award to the Order of Saint Michael, The Lady of Loreto, was a direct result of the efforts of Tony and his wife, Kim.

Finally, I want to thank MG Barclay again for his first-rate hospitality on June 24-25 in recognizing our first WWII-era organic Army Aviators.

A large bronze plaque, donated by AAAA, commemorating their accomplishments and bearing the names of the 56 surviving members of the “Cub Club” was unveiled at the ArmyAviationMuseum.

Those “Originals” who flew the Piper Cubs and similar liaison aircraft from 6 June 1942, the birth of Army Aviation, to 1951 when they changed from “Liaison Pilots” to Army Aviators now have a proper monument documenting their place in Army Aviation history.

Please be safe this summer as you enjoy vacation time with your families.

We look forward to the Fall kick off of our symposia season with the Luther Jones Aviation Summit at Corpus Christi October 12-14; the ASE Symposium in Huntsville November 15-18; and the UAS Symposium in Washington December 13-15.

Thanks for all you do every day.

My door is always open!

BG (Ret.) Rod Wolfe

AAAA President

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