Hail and Farewell

To the Soldiers and Leaders of the Aviation Branch by BG E.J. Sinclair

I am very humble, proud and privileged to be your new Aviation Branch Chief.  Last Wednesday as I looked out on Howze Parade Field, I was reminded of why I love being a Soldier and an Army Aviator.  The Silver Wings Band and the soldiers standing in formation representing the Aviation warriors serving throughout the world and so proudly representing our branch was truly awe inspiring.  So, I wanted to take this opportunity in Army Aviation Magazine to share a few thoughts with you. 

First, our branch owes a heartfelt thank you to MG(P) Mark Curran for his truly outstanding job as our 9th Aviation Branch Chief and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Aviation Center and Fort Rucker.  His tremendous leadership and vision over the past 28 months has ensured Aviation is on course with Army transformation objects and that we are meeting the warfighting needs of our field and combatant commanders.  He'll do great things for our Army as the Director of the Futures Center with TRADOC at Fort Monroe, Va.

Recently, I participated on the Army Chief of Staff's Task Force — Aviation study group led by MG J.D. Thurman and then the follow-on brief to GEN Schoomaker.  The Chief of Staff asked the Aviation community to provide him with a holistic review of Army Aviation and to recommend how we could maximize Army Aviation as an integral part of the combined arms team in joint battlespace.  The CSA provided excellent guidance on his vision and expectations for Army Aviation in the coming years.  As a result of the Task Force study and recommendations, Army Aviation will undergo several changes in the near future.  We must embrace these changes and work together to shape Army Aviation of tomorrow.  I am honored to be part of these important changes — changes that will be the foundation for our branch well into this century.

But, we must remember that we are an Army at war supporting our nation and her allies with the global war on terrorism.  The past few years clearly demonstrated that the world is a dynamic, uncertain and dangerous place.  The unsettling occurrences in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and on the Korean Peninsula reaffirm the need for a prepared and ready Aviation force.  I see my primary mission is to ensure every Aviation Soldier is equipped and trained to accomplish their wartime mission.  All the weapons in the world and the best technologies are useless without the intellect, dedication and remarkable sense of duty of our soldiers. Our top priority here at Fort Rucker is to provide the best trained aviation warfighters — soldiers, NCOs, warrant and commissioned officers, and unit leaders — to our field units. This means we are actively listening to you, your leaders and subject matter experts, and taking the experiences and lessons learned from ongoing operations to incorporate and modify our courses of instruction at our aviation training centers.  We are working quickly to refine and improve the training of our soldiers. 

We have a great Branch and Army Aviation is well respected throughout the Armed Forces.  Thank you for what you do each and every day for Aviation Branch, our Army and our Nation.  I pledge to you my best efforts as the 10th Aviation Branch Chief and am honored to be part of the Army Aviation Team.

ABOVE  THE BEST!!! 

BG E. J. Sinclair is the commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Center and chief of the aviation branch. 

Our heritage with the Army and as a branch runs deep and, today our value as a member of the combined-arms team on the battlefield is immeasurable.

 A few short months after I took the reins of our branch, terrorists attacked the United States. Sept. 11, 2001, in many ways defined the direction and speed of Army aviation transformation. Since that day we have fought, flown and lost distinguished friends and soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. Our will to rid the free world of terrorism has never wavered and our soldiers' will to win our nation's wars has been the difference. Our soldiers continue to make our country and other locations safer places in which to work and live.

Over the course of the last few years we have initiated strategies that have prepared our branch to meet the demands of future military requirements. We have had success in balancing readiness, modernization and our soldiers' well being.

The message from the field was clear: "Give us aviators that are trained in their go-to-war aircraft." The plan to answer that demand was an accelerated Flight School (FS) XXI. The pilots we are now placing in units are trained and ready for the demands of unit mission training. Aviation leaders are receiving pilots trained in basic combat skills — pilots who quickly master the combat skills required of their units.

A host of Army professionals have set the stage for unit successes by creating a Master Gunner's Course, a Tactical Operations (TACOPS) Course and a Non-Rated Crewmember Instructor Course. In addition, Army professionals have established a Master Gunner and TACOPS career track, and have opened and staffed the Seneff Aviation Warfighting Simulation Center. The AWSC has trained individuals and units deploying to Operation Joint Endeavor since its beginning.

Army aviation's role of providing the indispensable vertical dimension to the modern battlefield has come to be universally recognized.

In conjunction with preparing our aircrews to fight and win, we are modernizing our fleet of aircraft through the accelerated retirement of legacy (OH-58C, AH-1 and UH-1) aircraft. Achieving the future force is only possible through the continued procurement of TH-67s for the training fleet. We are also modernizing our AH-64, CH-47 and UH-60 fleets and must remain on schedule with RAH-66 procurement. 

A complete review of how we maintain and sustain our warfighting aircraft will determine our success in improving operational readiness and reducing operations and support costs.  Automated logistics, digital maintenance data collection, automated parts marking and other logistics initiatives will redefine how we manage our aviation assets in the future force.  Much remains to be done and many critical decisions must be made that will define what we will look like and how we will fight.

Warfare is a continuous test of will between two thinking and adaptive adversaries. Army aviation has assisted U.S. ground forces to remain dominant over the land fight in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

Leader-development training has received increased emphasis over the past few years. We have incorporated lessons learned in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom into every facet of leader and soldier training. We have experienced combat veterans teaching and facilitating training at all levels. This is preparing our leaders to pave the way for Army aviation.

Changes in our organizational design, doctrine and materiel advances will require new approaches to safety. Aviation safety is a function of competent, confident and experienced crews. We are experiencing  positive trends as we continue to fight and secure our homeland at an increased operational tempo. Safety is not "business as usual," it is integrated into everything we do as soldiers. Our safety programs and command emphasis will continue to be a force multiplier.

As I depart Fort Rucker for the moat at Fort Monroe, I am comforted to know that my replacement is tremendously qualified to lead our Branch. BG E.J. Sinclair is a true warrior. Few soldiers have his tactical and technical credentials. He has led soldiers in combat, at our combat training centers, and in heavy, light and cavalry organizations. Give him the same professional support you have given all the branch chiefs. 

It has been my distinct privilege to have served as your branch chief over the past two-and-a-half years. There are several organizations and individuals I want to acknowledge for making significant contributions to our mission during my tenure.

• First, the entire organization of AAAA — your magazine, conventions, leadership and active participation in the consortium of professional military organizations helped to make our branch a recognized leader in aviation. 
  

• Second, the soldiers, civilians, contractors and tenant organizations at Fort Rucker, the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, and the Program Executive Office-Aviation — you have set  professional standards Armywide for the future of our branch.
  

• And last, thank you to the soldiers working 24/7 to keep our nation free from terrorism. The sacrifices of you and your families are recognized by a grateful nation. You are conducting a very difficult task with bravery, honor and dignity. 

MG(P) John M. Curran was the commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation Center and Fort Rucker, Ala., and the ninth chief of the Aviation Branch from Aug. 9, 2001, to Dec. 10, 2003. He is now director of the Futures Center, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, at Fort Monroe, Va.