Army Aviation’s Progress Toward Transformation By BG E.J. Sinclair

            The accomplishments of the Aviation branch, from its Soldiers to our partners in industry, over the past year have been truly astounding. Army Aviation is at the tip of the spear in the global war on terrorism. Meanwhile the branch is moving aggressively to Preset and Reset, and transform across the entire doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel and facilities (DOTML-PF) spectrum simultaneously. This epic effort and sacrifice has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

          The Army’s global commitments currently include over 286,000 Soldiers in more than 120 countries, with Army aviation represented in almost every one. As of February 28, our aviators fighting the GWOT have flown in excess of 584,363 hours, while maintaining mission capable rates in excess of 85 percent. Army aviation destroyed over three Iraqi divisions in combat and continues to conduct the full spectrum of combat operations, including daily stability and support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  These incredible accomplishments are made possible through the Herculean efforts of dedicated aircraft maintainers, III/V platoons, air traffic services Soldiers, and the entire range of operational and support troops all around the world. In addition to OEF and OIF, aviation Soldiers and units are distinguishing themselves in South Korea, throughout Europe, and in numerous locations around the globe. Meanwhile, aviation units are resetting and transforming as the branch sets out to achieve a higher level of joint interoperability, modularity, deployability and sustainability. The nation, the Army and Army Aviation are very proud and grateful to all our great Aviation heroes. These patriots selflessly serve to uphold the principles of duty, honor, country, and remain “Above the Best.”   

Transformation

          The Army’s transformation is the most significant restructuring initiative in the past 50 years. As the Army continues through its transformation, it will become more brigade centric, more responsive, with increased rotational depth and joint and expeditionary capabilities. Specific-ally for Army Aviation, the Army Chief of Staff, GEN Peter J. Schoomaker, directed aviation to become “a modular, capabilities-based maneuver arm, optimized for the joint fight with a shortened logistics tail.” While sustaining combat operations, we continue to provide solutions to enhance the capabilities of the current force and continue to develop the future while spiraling proven capabilities from the future force into the current force. 

Restructuring the Force

          The Army is developing new force structures. By 2010, two higher headquarters types will replace the existing structure of divisions, corps and echelons above corps. These headquarters are designated as Units of Employment, and are either a UEx (primarily major operations and warfighting) or UEy (theater operational land force and joint support).              

          While the tendency is to think of these echelons as linear improvements to the division and corps, they are not. Both higher echelons are complementary, modular entities designed to employ tailored forces within integrated joint campaigns. We are in the stages of transforming units starting with the 3rd Infantry Division, 101st Airborne Div., 4th Inf. Div. and the 10th Mountain Div.

          Aviation organizations will restructure into modular, multifunctional aviation brigades (MFAB). The majority of aviation combat power moves from the present corps to division level. These brigades standardize into heavy, medium and light structures. MFABs are based on company-sized modular building blocks that provide increased combat power. Additionally, MFABs will integrate a medical evacuation company, a CH-47 company, a signal company, air traffic services company, an aviation support battalion and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVS) units into each aviation brigade. The resultant brigades are more lethal and agile, increasing the abilities to task organize for diverse contingencies. A key component is the sustainability with the introduction of a modular maintenance package.

          A recognized requirement is the need for enhanced air-ground synchronization. To achieve this requirement the brigade aviation element (BAE) is organic to each ground maneuver brigade combat team and provides aviation subject matter expertise on aviation operations and airspace command and control. Mobile training teams from the U.S. Army Aviation Center conducted training with the 3rd Inf. Div., 101st Abn. Div., 4th Inf. Div. and most recently with the 10th Mountain Div.

 Doctrinal Changes

          To address changes in aviation doctrine and keep field commanders informed on future doctrinal developments and organizational changes, the Aviation Center released coordinating drafts of aviation specific field manuals (FM) on the Aviation Brigade, the Attack-Reconnaissance Battalion, the Assault Helicopter Battalion, the General Support Aviation Battalion, the Aviation Support Battalion and Air Traffic Services. These doctrinal manuals were written and released in record time and sent to the field within a six-month period to ensure units had the most current doctrine prior to and during deployment. To complement the effort, updated  mission  training  plans  (MTP) were released for review. MTPs provide the aviation units specific tasks for training and evaluation. There is also increased focus on the role of close combat attack (CCA) in aviation operations, joint close air support (JCAS), and the Aviation Combined Arms Training Strategy (ACATS). CCA is doctrine based and the Maneuvering Flight Handbook is in final edit. Working in concert with other UAV users, USAAVNC is on an aggressive timeline to publish the Army’s first doctrinal UAVS operations manual by this October.

Transforming Logistics

           The Aviation Logistics (AVLOG) Transformation Plan seeks to properly organize, man, train and equip the Army’s MFAB to sustain the aviation force with modularity. The long-term goal of AVLOG transformation is to resource key capabilities that enable Aviation to transition from the current fault-based and reactive maintenance, to a proactive and predictive condition based maintenance (CBM). With the integration of aviation support battalions in the MFAB, AVLOG will transition to a two-level aviation maintenance force structure, which eliminates multiple echelons of pass-back aviation intermediate maintenance. Aviation maintenance will meet the demands on its system 24-7 and have the agility and flexibility to plug and unplug into a dedicated logistics data network. Aviation will also replace the unit level logistics system-Aviation hardware and software (known as ULLS-A) and field a new Enhanced Logbook Automation System which allows commanders to see the logistics demands and set conditions for success.

 Aircraft Advancements

          Army Aviation is working several materiel and changes to its current and future aviation platforms. Among these improvements are upgrades to the AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III, the UH-60M Black Hawk and the CH-47F Chinook. The Army has approved the conversion of AH-64A to AH-64D models, and to build new UH-60M aircraft. New start aircraft programs include light utility helicopter (LUH), armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH), and the future cargo aircraft (FCA). LUH has been approved by the Army Requirements Oversight Committee and has progressed to joint staffing. ARH has completed the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System process and is currently in source selection, with user testing to begin within a year. The UAV strategy continues to evolve to include organizational designs and material solutions. 

Improving Training

          As we transform aviation organizations and how we fight, we are also changing the way we train our future leaders. This year completes the conversion to Flight School XXI with all new aviators receiving greatly improved training on how to employ and fight their aircraft. All aviators will also complete survival, evasion, resistance and escape (level C) and dunker training prior to graduation from FSXXI. Leaders must be proficient across the full spectrum of aviation, regardless of type airframe.

          A review of personnel requirements necessary for the modular force and of needed military occupational specialties and aviation skill level identifiers is underway. Inclusive in this effort is the alignment of UAV operators, master gunners and tactical operations officers for each battalion; and updated career projection models for our officers, warrant officers and noncommissioned officers. In coordination with the Combined Arms Center and the Center for Army Leadership, the entire professional military education system is being revised to include early integration of “shared training opportunities” between officer, warrant officer and NCO courses. Another new initiative is the opportunity and encouragement for aviation officers to attend the Ranger training at Fort Benning, Ga. on a case-by-case basis.  

 Soldier Focused

          In summary, while fighting aggressively in the GWOT, Aviation is undergoing one of the most significant self-analysis and implementation of restructure initiatives in history. It is an extremely exciting time for Army Aviation as we transform the branch. Numerous challenges exist, but the capabilities of Aviation personnel will overcome any obstacles. As transformation continues, so will Aviation’s self assessment, across all of the DOTML-PF areas, in order to determine the best mix of resources to support joint forces and Soldiers in the field. Our focus is the Soldier, the centerpiece of our Army. Aviation branch will continually work to provide our Soldiers at all levels with great leadership, the right equipment and the best training. Leveraging technological improvements in current and future systems will allow aviation forces to respond rapidly with modular units that are more responsive, sustainable and effective, thus allowing commanders throughout the spectrum of operations to better adapt to the ever evolving global threats.

ABOVE  THE BEST!!! 

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