Posturing Army Aviation – Aviation Task Force Initiatives by BG E.J. Sinclair

      This year’s annual AAAA convention in Nashville was a tremendous success.   

On behalf of all Aviation Branch soldiers, we pass on our compliments and appreciation to our association president, MG Ronald K. Andreson (Ret.), Executive Director Bill Harris and the entire Army Aviation Association of America team for the hard work, long hours and the attention to detail that went into executing a great convention.  We also thank MG David Petraeus and the Soldiers from Fort Campbell, Ky., for their participation and support to AAAA.  It’s great to have the 101st Airborne Division back and able to join us.  To all of our industry partners and military organizations who participated with exhibits, presentations and various support – thank you.

We also extend a special thanks to the participation by the Hon. Claude M. Bolton Jr., assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology; GEN Bryan D. Brown, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command; GEN Paul J. Kern, commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command; LTG Richard A. Cody; LTG Anthony R. Jones; MG John M. Curran, and all of the speakers and panelists. We appreciate each of them, as they shared their unique perspectives and insights on the future of Army aviation. 

Great job and thanks to all.

Aviation’s Future

The past several months have been critical in shaping the future of Army aviation. Several decisions pertaining to the recommendations made to the chief of staff of the Army (CSA) by the Aviation Task Force (TF) are now public knowledge, and actions to implement and resource these decisions are being implemented.  It is important that we fully understand and communicate these initiatives with one voice, to dispel potential misconceptions and rumors surrounding changes that will take place. These changes will have a profound and positive impact on the structure and operational aspects of our Army, and specifically how we fight aviation.

First, we should all thank MG J.D. Thurman, director of the Army Aviation TF, and the TF members for their great work. The efforts of the TF and the recommendations made are in concert with the CSA’s other TFs.  The recommendations focus on a holistic assessment of doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, education, personnel and facilities (DOTML-PF) to ensure Army aviation’s continued role in the current and future joint warfight.

GEN Peter J. Schoomaker, the CSA, and the leadership of our branch are committed to maximizing the potential of aviation and "making aviation a capabilities-based maneuver arm optimized for the joint fight while reducing the logistics tail." 

Our branch embraces and supports the decisions to change and restructure aviation as a means to maximize our capability. As MG Petraeus stated during the AAAA convention, "Aviation assets are absolutely critical to the ground commander's success, and that the structure we are transforming to provides enablers that will maximize Aviation's ability and opportunity to perform as a Maneuver Headquarters. The Aviation design approved by CSA will enhance the Division Commander has to Operate." 

Applying the Lessons of War

The lessons learned after two and a half years of war have provided the Army and our branch the opportunity to assess known requirements and build increased capabilities to meet the threats of the changing operational environments.  Several recent decisions on modularity, force stabilization and optimizing Active and reserve-component integration reflect many of the changes our Army has made to maintain its relevance and readiness.  Each of these decisions increases lethality, enhances combat capability and unit cohesiveness, improves soldier and unit predictability, and balances force requirements.

Based on a comprehensive review of Army programs conducted by the Aviation TF, we have made some strategic decisions that will fix Army aviation now and improve future capabilities beyond the year 2020.  Therefore, we will restructure aviation organizations to reflect current and anticipated requirements, and will improve aircraft survivability, sustainability and operability. 

Capability-Based Decisions

These strategic decisions support the termination of the RAH-66 Comanche.  By shifting the resources currently allocated for 121 Comanche aircraft, we can accelerate transformation of Army aviation to meet the needs of the changing operational environments.  We must ensure that all within the aviation community understand the positive impacts of these decisions. 

Our soldiers deserve the best equipment and support our nation can provide. This is especially true during this period of national emergency.  We all must understand that the global war on terrorism (GWOT) and the lessons learned during the past two and a half years have greatly enhanced our abilities to assess, and thus recommend the pursuit of future capabilities to meet 21st century security challenges and evolving threats. These assessments have resulted in decisions that will propel Army aviation in a way that will significantly improve our combat capabilities in the near term and into the future.

The decision to end the Comanche program was made, in part, because of the changing threat environment and the evolving nature of future requirements.  All resources planned for the Comanche program will be reallocated within existing and future aviation programs.  This decision allows the restructuring and revitalization of Army aviation to meet current and future needs. We will move forward rapidly to implement the CSA decisions and field the new equipment.   

Great News for Aviation

Specifically, the revitalized Army aviation program will:

• Accelerate aircrew protection and aircraft survivability equipment (ASE) fielding initiatives to meet the current and evolving threats, while providing every aircraft with the best-possible equipment.

• Recapitalize 1,400 aircraft to extend operational capabilities beyond the year 2020.

• Acquire 796 new aircraft [368 armed reconnaissance, 303 light utility helicopters (LUH), 80 utility and 20 cargo helicopters, and 25 cargo airplanes] through fiscal year 2011.  These acquisitions are in addition to the 101 UH-60s and six CH-47s already in the FY 2005 budget.

• Add $300 million to accelerate the unmanned aerial vehicle systems (UAVS) program in order to extend battlefield awareness and strengthen manned-unmanned teaming.

• Transform Reserve and National Guard aviation capability by replacing 870 aging aircraft (UH-1Hs and OH-58s) with a LUH aircraft variant.

• Continue to leverage the technology base and knowledge gained through the Comanche program as appropriate and invest in joint and future aviation programs.

• Fund the new aviation munitions strategy to ensure we have the missiles and rockets to meet our training demands and wartime requirements.  This strategy will fill existing shortages of rockets for the training of our aircrews.

• Integrate the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpits into our UH-60M and CH-47F programs, and fly-by-wire technology into our UH-60M and AH-64D Block III aircraft.  This initiative significantly reduces maintenance requirements and shortens the required logistics tail mandated by multiple systems.

• Implement the two-level maintenance concept by FY 2008, and field a common aviation logistics automation system (known as Common Transformational System–Aviation), beginning this year (FY 2004).

Organizational Changes

Other significant decisions include the restructuring of aviation brigades to Units of Action (UA) or Multi-Functional Brigades (MFB).  Our tactical brigades will begin transforming to the multi-functional aviation brigade modular structure in the immediate future (see graphic).  The 3rd Infantry Division has already begun to reorganize, with all brigades scheduled to complete the transition by FY 2007.   

The Brigade Aviation Element (BAE), which is an organic cell to each ground maneuver brigade/UA, is an important structural change to position aviation expertise with the combatant commander.  The BAE will consist of aviation officers, NCOs and enlisted soldiers who are responsible for the synchronization of aviation operations and Army Battle Command System communications. 

These are truly exciting times for our branch. We have many challenges, but also great opportunities to determine our future.

To quote MG Petraeus again: "Army aviation has great aircraft, flown by great aviators, supported by great soldiers and contractors….performing amazing things. Army aviation should be extremely proud of what it has accomplished."

Army aviation has a bright future and the next few years will position and shape our branch to support our nation's future warfighting requirements.

I hope this article provides you with a better understanding of the decisions that have been made. It will take the total support of every aviation soldier to successfully execute these strategies. We will continue to keep you informed of further decisions as they become available.

Thanks for your support.

ABOVE  THE BEST!!! 

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