Making U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center a Force Multiplier —  Today and Tomorrow by BG E.J. Sinclair

            Where does a brigade commander serving in Iraq go when he has lost two aircraft to enemy fire and is unable to determine root causes and preventative measures? Where does the Army look for answers when unmanned aerial vehicle systems (UAVS) become an important and integral part of the warfight?

            You might be surprised to know that the U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., is a key component in helping find the answers to these questions and many others. While Fort Rucker trained more than 5,400 soldiers last year, it was the behind-the-scenes activities that reached unprecedented levels with regard to the variety of initiatives to support the soldier and the warfight.

Aircraft Shoot Down Assessment Team

            When COL Ray Palumbo, commander of 12th Aviation Brigade, deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom he realized there were no formalized procedures for determining the causes of his aircraft losses and for deriving subsequent preventive measures. So he contacted the U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center for assistance.  

            We responded by developing a teaming concept of subject-matter experts from throughout the Army; the Army Safety Center; the Missile, Space Intelligence Command; the Defense Intelligence Agency; and British Aerospace Engineering Systems Inc. The Aircraft Shoot Down Assessment Team (ASDAT) was formed under the leadership of COL Steve Dwyer, commander of the 1st Avn. Bde. at Fort Rucker, and arrived in Iraq within two weeks. The ASDAT's charter was to determine what caused the aircraft to crash; what weapon system was used to shoot it down; what friendly and enemy tactics, techniques and procedures contributed to the shoot down; and, finally, to provide recommendations to prevent further occurrences.  The team initially investigated nine incidents, and determined definitive causes and made recommendations for each. 

            The ASDAT debriefed all aviation brigade commanders in Iraq, as well as the CJTF-7 commander. The team has also briefed aviation commanders from the 1st Infantry Division, the 1st Cavalry Div., and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force before their deployment to OIF-2. Because of the success of the ASDAT, the U.S. Army Aviation Center (USAAVNC), through the Army G3, is pursuing the establishment of a permanent organization that will specialize in the investigation of aircraft losses to enemy fire.  

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems

            Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems (UAVS) have become a valuable force multiplier. Commanders at all levels depend on them to provide critical intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance information.  The UAV mission is expanding across the full spectrum of operations: from ISR, battle-damage assessment and route reconnaissance to real-time target acquisition. Furthermore, the wartime operational tempo for UAVS is six times that of peacetime operations; the UAVS fly an average of nearly 18 hours a day in support of combatant commanders.

            As UAVS continue to evolve and mature into valued aviation assets, the proponency for UAVS was transferred from the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, Ariz., to USAAVNC. As a function of proponency, USAAVNC conducted a UAVS Functional Area Assessment (FAA) and sponsored a Senior Leader Integrated Concept Team (ICT) meeting from Feb. 18 through 20.

            The meeting provided a forum for the exchange of information between members of the UAVS and Future Combat System ICTs. Representatives from most of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) schools and centers, as well as other agencies throughout the Army, participated. 

            The purpose of the FAA was to identify key issues and complete a Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Logistics, Personnel and Facilities (DOTML-PF) assessment of the Army UAVS program. The assessment facilitates the development of recommendations in concert with the chief of staff of the Army's (CSA's) focus areas and is a foundation for future requirements. The intent was to ensure that the Army UAVS program moves forward with a focused vision, and that each element of DOTML-PF has a coordinated, supportable and sustainable plan.  The end state resulted in the development of recommended courses of action to further the UAVS implementation process.

CSA's Aviation Task Force

            Many decisions have been released based on the work of past several months work of the Aviation Task Force. Most notable is the organizational structure of the multi-functional aviation brigades. 

            This organization will make aviation a more capabilities-based maneuver arm optimized for the joint fight. The organizational structure also addresses many of the shortfalls identified in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF), such as the robustness of attack-helicopter battalions, the requirement for an air-assault capability and heavy-lift capability in every division, and the location of the aviation support battalion.

            Additionally, air medical-evacuation (medevac) units become part of the aviation brigade structure to ensure integration of mission planning and execution, safety, standardization and maintenance. Another key change will be the brigade aviation element at each ground maneuver brigade, which consists of planners and operators to ensure aviation is integrated into the ground commander's scheme of maneuver.   

Conclusion

            The U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center's mission includes the training of aviation soldiers, the development of the future aviation force and providing a vision for our branch on which to grow. It is truly a historic time for our branch as it transforms to meet future missions. As these and other initiatives develop, we will continue to provide current and relevant information pertaining to branch issues that affect you and your commands.

ABOVE  THE BEST!!! 

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