ELEVATING READINESS THROUGH INNOVATION - NETWORK l RECOGNITION l VOICE l SUPPORT January 31, 2022
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NETWORK l RECOGNITION l VOICE l SUPPORT January 31, 2022
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THROUGH
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ARMY AVIATION Magazine 2 January 31, 2022
24
Contents January 31, 2022 Vol. 71, No. 1
TO THE FIELD
10 Army Aviation Branch Chief’s Corner
10 By MG David J. Francis
12 This is Your Army!
By GEN Edward M. Daly
16 AMCOM Commander Update
By MG K. Todd Royar
18 Aviation Branch Maintenance Officer Update
By CW5 Patrick O’Neill
20 AMCOM Command Sergeant Major Update
By CSM Bradford Smith
22 Combat Readiness Center Update
18 By Mr. Timothy Edgette
24 Reserve Component Aviation Update
By SPC Zachary Danaher
26 128th Aviation Brigade Update
By SSG Angel Agosto
28 CCDC AvMC Tech Talk
By Dr. Thomas L. Thompson
30 Ask the Flight Surgeon
By MAJ Brett A. Matzek M.D., FS
20 SPECIAL FOCUS — Aviation Maintenance/Sustainment
32 A Modern Decision-Making Framework for Prognostic &
Predictive Maintenance
By Mr. Danny Parker, Ph.D. and LTC Andy Bellocchio, Ph.D.
34 AMCOM Employs PPMx to Make Faster & Better Decisions,
Improve Readiness, & Build Overwhelming Combat Power
By Mr. Dave Ware
36 Training for Flaw Detection Is Vital Prior To Assembly
By Ms. Joyce L. Myers
38 Corpus Christi Army Depot Supports the Army’s
36 Modernization Initiatives
By Mr. Richard Lewis
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 3 January 31, 2022
46
Contents January 31, 2022 Vol. 71, No. 1
AWARDS
48 40 2019 & 2020 National Award Winners
42 2020 & 2021 Functional Award Winners
44 2020 & 2021 Army Aviation Hall of Fame Inductees
FROM THE FIELD
46 AAAA 16th Luther G. Jones Army Aviation Depot Forum Held
in Corpus Christi
By Kathleen (Kat) Pettaway-Clarke
48 Self-Deployment of Unmanned Aircraft Validates Concept for
58 Expeditionary Split Operations
By CW4 Dan Brechwald
DEPARTMENTS
AAAA NEWS
AAAA President’s Cockpit........................................................................................................8
AAAA VP Chapter Affairs.......................................................................................................58
Chapter OSM News.............................................................................................................59
AAAA VP Membership...........................................................................................................60
New Members........................................................................................................................61
AAAA Family Forum.................................................................................................................62
59 AAAA Legislative Report........................................................................................................65
AAAA Scholarship Foundation & Donors............................................................... 52, 57
AAAA Hall of Fame................................................................................................................... 70
ARMY AVIATION COMMUNITY NEWS
Advertisers Index......................................................................................................................64
Art’s Attic.......................................................................................................................................69
Briefings...........................................................................................................................................6
Calendar........................................................................................................................................61
Enlisted Aviation Soldier Spotlight.......................................................................................21
Historical Perspective.............................................................................................................50
Industry News.............................................................................................................................64
People on the Move................................................................................................................66
59
ARMY AVIATION is the official journal of the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA). The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors, not the Department of Defense or
its elements. The content does not necessarily reflect the official U.S. Army position nor the position of the AAAA or the staff of Army Aviation Publications, Inc., (AAPI). Title Reg® in U.S. Patent office.
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ARMY AVIATION Magazine 4 January 31, 2022
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 5 January 31, 2022
Briefings u Late Breaking News - Announcements
Founders /Art and Dotty Kesten POTUS Signs NDAA assumed responsibility from outgoing CSM
President Joe Biden signed into law the fiscal Michael A. Crosby. Murray and Crosby served
Publisher / William R. Harris Jr. year 2022 National Defense Authorization as the inaugural command team for the newly
Editor / CW4 (Ret.) Joseph L. Pisano Sr. Act on Dec. 27, 2021. The $740 billion created command since August 2018.
editor@quad-a.org NDAA, calls for $25 billion more in defense
spending than Biden’s budget request. It National Medal of Honor
Associate Editor / CW5 Adam Jarvis also includes a provision directing DoD to Monument
adam@quad-a.org pay Reserve Component members incentive President Biden signed the
pay equal to the regular component. See National Medal of Honor
Director of Design & Production Monument Act into law on
the Legislative Report on page 65 for more
AAPI FILE GRAPHIC
Anne H. Ewing
information on what comes next. Dec. 27, 2021 following
magazine@quad-a.org
its bipartisan, unanimous
Contributing Editor / Mark Albertson Grady Sworn In as VCJCS approval by both the U.S. House and U.S.
mark@quad-a.org Senate. The legislation authorizes the cre-
ation of a monument in Washington, D.C., to
Family Forum Editor / Judy Konitzer
judy@quad-a.org
recognize the fewer than 4,000 Americans
who have received the Medal of Honor since
Advertising Director / Robert C. Lachowski its founding during the Civil War. As of this
bob@quad-a.org writing, there are only 66 recipients alive. No
DOD PHOTO BY CHAD J. MCNEELEY
Advertising Manager / Erika Burgess federal funds will be used to build the monu-
erika@quad-a.org ment. Instead, the National Medal of Honor
Museum Foundation will be responsible for
Marketing Director / Jennifer Chittem raising funds to cover the expenses associ-
jenn@quad-a.org Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers ated with the project.
Social Media Manager / Chelsea Jarvis the oath of office at the swearing in ceremony Adoption Reimbursement
chelsea@quad-a.org at the Pentagon for Adm. Christopher W. Grady Deadline Extended
as the 12th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
Director Data Services / Ben Marini of Staff, Dec. 20, 2021. The swearing-in fills a
ben@quad-a.org
monthlong vacancy following the retirement of
Web Master / Mary Seymour Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, whose last day
DOD PHOTO FROM MILITARYONESOURCE.MIL
mary@quad-a.org was Nov. 19. According to a Pentagon press
release, the former commander of U.S. Fleet
Circulation Department
Forces Command/U.S. Naval Forces Northern
Deb Cavallaro
Debbie Coley
Command will be leading the Joint Require-
Jackie Harris ments Oversight Council and serving as a senior
Elisabeth Mansson member of the Nuclear Weapons Council.
The Defense Department temporarily ex-
Richardson Takes Over tended the deadline for adoption reimburse-
Editorial Address at AFC ment requests in certain cases in response
593 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468-2806 to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The
Tel: (203) 268-2450 / Fax: (203) 268-5870 DoD provides a variety of support for service
members seeking to adopt children; reim-
bursement for qualified expenses is part of
ARMYAVIATIONmagazine.com that support. DoD may accept applications
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY AUSTIN L. THOMAS
for adoption reimbursement past the two-
year deadline if the following criteria are met:
On The Cover the adoption was finalized between March 1,
2018, and Dec. 31, 2019; for adoption of for-
PAID ADVERTISEMENT: eign children, the certificate of U.S. citizenship
LTG James M. Richardson (left) receives was issued between March 1, 2018, and Dec.
As the single largest aviation the U.S. Army Futures Command colors 31, 2019; and the application for reimburse-
services provider for the Army, from Army Chief of Staff, GEN James C. ment must be provided to the designated mil-
Amentum creates enduring value McConville, as outgoing commanding itary service point of contact no later than Feb.
by providing a complete range general, GEN John M. Murray, looks on during 28, 2022. The exception to policy is effective
a relinquishment of command and change of immediately and will remain in effect through
of maintenance, sustainment, Feb. 28, 2022. For more information about
responsibility ceremony on Dec. 3, 2021.
operations, and training solutions. Richardson, a Master Army Aviator, assumes military adoption support, Military OneSource
Discover more at amentum.com. the responsibilities of acting commanding (militaryonesource.mil) offers no-cost adop-
Caption provided by the advertiser. general from Murray who retired with nearly tion consultations, as well as online military
40 years of service; and CSM Brian A. Hester adoption information and resources.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 6 January 31, 2022
u President’s Cockpit
Summit On-Time, On-Target for April!
AAPI PHOTO BY BILL HARRIS
I t’s a new year and new opportunities are A packed house listens to a presentation during the opening session of the
Luther G. Jones Army Aviation Depot Forum, 6-7 Dec 21, Corpus Christi,
ahead as we look forward to holding our TX. Among the VIPs pictured are: (front right table, left to right) MG (Ret.)
Tim Crosby; AAAA President; LTG Thomas H. Todd III, DCG, Army Futures
first AAAA Annual Army Aviation Mission Command; Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo; and COL Joseph Parker,
Corpus Christi Army Depot commander.
Solutions Summit in two years!
April 3-5, 2022 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN years of pandemic have not helped us to work that pillar of
are the dates. Hard to believe we are barely over 60 days our mission statement.
away by the time you read this. Chief of Staff, GEN Jim Please see pages 40-44 for full coverage of the 2020 and 2021
McConville will be our keynote speaker on Monday and National awards that we presented at the Cribbins event catch-
we have a packed agenda with everything from our Branch ing up on two back years of awards to include the Hall of Fame,
leadership led by MG Dave Francis, to simulation, Warrant our Soldiers of the Year, Crew Chiefs of the Year, National
Officer and Soldier updates by our Chief Warrant Officer of Guard Unit of the Year and many, many more not to mention
the Branch and Branch CSM to safety, international panels, the Material Readiness awards to industry that were presented
survivability working groups, and Future Vertical Lift. there. What a joy to see these individuals and their family mem-
There is something for everyone to include a spouse program bers finally appreciated before hundreds of their friends and
with various tours and presentations. We are even working peers. There were a lot of emotional moments I assure you and I
on reduced rates for Soldiers at the impressive indoor water/ hope the photos convey some small part of that to you.
surfing park right at Gaylord, called “Sound Waves.” Keep up- We have also just held in December our Luther G.
to-date with the AAAA Events App to access 22Summit for Jones Army Aviation Depot Forum in Corpus Christi, TX.
the latest agenda and more! Recognition of two outstanding Artisans of the Year were
The Opryland hotel itself is close to being sold out but presented there as well. The Mayor herself along with LTG
we have a number of other Marriott properties across the Todd and MG Royar helped us honor those outstanding
street that are available. The AAAA website will direct you unsung heroes who do such an outstanding job returning our
to our event vendor eShow which will show you what is aircraft to like new condition every year at the Depot as well
still available. You can book at the same time you get your as provide the new UH-60V model to the force.
event tickets. I am continuing to travel around the country visiting our
Attention Industry Members: There are a few exhibit chapters as I work toward the goal of visiting each one by the
spaces left but very few indeed. Most of our exhibitors end of my term in 2023. We are also working initiatives on a
rolled over their contracted booths from the last two years’ Hall of Fame review, new standards for industry sponsorship
cancelled shows so we are about sold out. of our national awards, increased benefits for our industry
Remember to get your tickets for the Hall of Fame Banquet members and much more. I look forward to seeing many of
on Monday night and the closing casual Soldier Appreciation you in Nashville and during this next year as we keep pressing
Concert with Justin Moore on Tuesday evening. on our Mission Statement: “Supporting the U.S. Army
As you read last month, the Joseph P. Cribbins Training, Aviation Soldier and Family.”
Equipping and Sustainment Symposium was an amazing
success in Huntsville. Recognition of outstanding Soldiers is MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired
such an important part of what AAAA does. The last two 35th President, AAAA
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 8 January 31, 2022
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 9 January 31, 2022
u Army Aviation Branch Chief's Corner
Army Aviation Sustainment
During LSCO By MG David J. Francis
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SFC RYAN SHELDON, 40TH CAB
S ustainment will be a core warfighting function for SSG Dustin Murray, a Quality Control
Noncommissioned Officer in charge with
future warfare. Our enterprise has to take a close Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation
Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion),
look at how we execute aviation maintenance and Iowa Army National Guard, inspects the engine
of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Camp
how we design logistical systems that support Large Buehring, Kuwait.
Scale Combat Operations.
The Army expects Army Aviation erations require dispersed execution in nance capacity demands. Modernizing
will be capable of generating support austere environments, amidst complex our logistics also includes breaking the
to operational maneuver forces with terrain, with limited or lengthy lines of phase maintenance paradigm that ties
integrated aviation sustainment communication for extended periods. A us to large footprints and lengthy sup-
capability. That capability must be reduced logistics footprint requires im- ply chains. Optimizing our inspections
designed to support an agile, adaptive, proving efficiency and minimizing the relevant to operations with accurate
and modernized expeditionary aviation signature of maintenance operations. component repair and replacement
force capable of winning during Large Condition-based maintenance systems, times will afford more fixing forward
Scale Combat Operations across with precision prognostics and diag- for combat power.
multiple domains. nostics, will lessen the overall mainte- Our maintainers are the cornerstone
Future aviation maintenance op- nance workload reducing the mainte- of our sustainment program. The
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 10 January 31, 2022Aviation Maintenance Training include 3D printing, allowing us to along with our FVL aircraft will have Program allows us to track the training create critical parts and components robust, adaptable, and interchangeable sets and reps of our maintainers to where and when we need them. sustainment strategies to ensure we capture unit capacity. With an increase While our aviation fleet has numerical remain the most lethal option for in more technically qualified Soldiers objectives and goals for readiness, a division commander. Essential to capable of diagnosing, assessing, our ultimate objective is a level of maintaining lethal and reliable aircraft and repairing multiple aircraft and operational availability that allows is to ensure we provide our Soldiers systems, we can fight in austere and Army Aviation to conduct Combined with modern, relevant training and dispersed environments. Instead of Arms Maneuver to defeat and destroy education to sustain our force for a robust maintenance company with the enemy at the time and place of our Large Scale Combat Operations. All 300 Soldiers, we may need to disperse choosing. While our new systems are of our modernization efforts, rigorous 10 teams of 30 Soldiers throughout critical, we are continuing our focus on training, and professional education are the battlefield. These teams that can reducing the maintenance burden on designed to keep our Soldiers the best- rapidly regenerate combat power our enduring fleet to the smallest level trained Aviation maintenance force. forward and keep our systems in the possible without sacrificing safety and The superb training, discipline, and fight without an underlying reliance on using these improvements to inform equipping of our cohesive maintenance stateside depots and contract support. sustainment requirements for our new teams are unequaled in scale and quality. Preparing for LSCO requires we train FVL systems. I am proud to serve with all of you and our Soldiers with the most modern, To support the ground force am thankful for what our maintenance technically rigorous, and realistic commander and serve as a member of teams do every day across our branch. conditions that units expect to operate the combined arms maneuver team, in during combat. Aviation must be able to provide the Above the Best! All of our efforts in modernizing combat power necessary to mass effects aviation maintenance are to improve at the time and place of our choosing and sustain the launch, recover, launch over expanded areas of operation. capability that supports Large Scale Our strength and ability to provide Combat Operations. For FY 22, we are maneuver commanders reliable, MG David J. Francis is the Army Aviation pursuing sustainment experiments to lethal and timely support resides in branch chief and commander of the U.S. see where we can improve maintenance our ability to maintain the readiness Army Aviation Center of Excellence and operations. Some of the concepts of our aircraft. Our enduring fleet Fort Rucker, AL. ARMY AVIATION Magazine 11 January 31, 2022
u This is Your Army!
Army Materiel Command
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY ERVEY MARTINEZ, CORPUS CHRISTI ARMY DEPOT
Enabling Aviation
Sustainment Modernization
PHOTO COURTESY OF WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
to support an Information
Age Army By GEN Edward M. Daly
A s the Army’s primary sustainment and logistics Top photo: At Corpus Christi Army Depot, Texas,
the Powertrain Transmission Sub-Assembly
command, Army Materiel Command (AMC) leads Building, a 126,500 square foot building,
will provide flexible manufacturing space to
and directs the sustainment warfighting function from house component maintenance processes,
administrative and support spaces and a central
the installation to the battlefield, supporting warfighters energy plant.
and enabling mission command down to the lowest Above photo: An engineer at Wichita State
University scans a part from a UH-60 Black
level. Hawk. The 3D scans will be used to digitally print
copies of the part.
To best align with the Army’s industrial age processes to be more ef- the level of operational, sustainment and
priorities of people, readiness and fective, protect our resources and make readiness data that we have today, nor
modernization, and ensure that we better decisions.” Key to this transfor- have we had the level of sophistication
meet the requirements for the future mation is being able to see ourselves in tools available to harness data to sup-
multi-domain capable force, AMC by having the right logistics data and port outcome-driven decision making.
is modernizing our infrastructure, visualizations to support commanders at AMC has partnered with industry, aca-
training, processes and skill sets to all levels in making real-time, informed demia and across the defense industrial
support next-generation capabilities. decisions. Emerging threats and chang- base to build the system requirements,
In his initial message to the force, ing operational environments require us sensors, data architectures and tools to
Chief of Staff of the Army GEN James to holistically assess and refine our ap- completely transform from data ware-
McConville said, “We cannot be an proach to data analytics and information housing to data-driven decision making.
Industrial Age Army in the Informa- dominance in competition, crisis and Under AMC’s direction, U.S. Army
tion Age. We must transform all linear conflict. We have never had access to Aviation and Missile Command (AM-
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 12 January 31, 2022tivities in their sustainment transition to
an Information Age Army.
Sustainment Integration –
Driving Sustainment Forward
Co-located at Redstone Arsenal,
Alabama, with Army Futures Com-
mand’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL)
Cross Functional Team (CFT), AM-
COM plays a pivotal role in driving
sustainment concepts, performance pa-
rameters and metrics to ensure that set-
ting tomorrow’s theater includes avia-
tion platforms capable of expeditionary
operations with reduced sustainment
burdens. As the aviation Army Mod-
ernization Enterprise (AME) sustain-
ment lead, AMCOM drives key sus-
tainment performance parameters, data
technologies and supply requirements
now – with direct readiness effects
from first unit equipped, across the 30+
year fielding of aviation systems. Our
integrated logistics and sustainment
experts are not only partnered with
FVL CFT, but also operate organic
to the program and product managers
that will acquire and field final, mis-
sion-capable systems across the force.
AMCOM is also actively working to-
day to drive technological and data im-
COM) is leading and partnering across Age Army, we must first reassess and provements to our systems to support
government, industry and academia to implement sustainment data produc- advanced sustainment metrics for our
affect the development and rollout of tion, storage and management archi- aviation fleets – metrics that drive the
key technologies and initiatives that tectures. Critical for our transition is right behaviors within our sustainment
provide decisive tactical advantages to the implementation of a comprehensive responsibilities. For example, based on
our aviation forces. AMCOM contin- sustainment data framework, support- improved forecasting and continual
ues to prioritize its resources and focus ing the identification of opportunities engagement with industry, AMCOM
on both platform and unit-based infor- and solutions for our supported units. changed the goal for aircraft non-mis-
mation readiness tools and technologi- To accomplish this, the sustainment sion capable supply status from 10% to
cal enablers that not only inform global community will move from transaction- 5%. This reflects AMCOM’s ability to
supply chain decisions but also inform al to predictive and prescriptive analyt- have the right parts available for units
tactical-level warfighting decisions and ics. In the same vein as improving full when they need them, and to continue
capabilities. AMCOM is also leading Global Combat Support System-Army to drive future performance metrics
and integrating technological and busi- Increment 2 data from our Aircraft beyond traditional standards to support
ness advancements from its core depot Notebook bridge to full system adop- forward aviation operations.
missions to its modernization integra- tion, we will continue to drive seamless
tion role, all to drive outcomes for our data architectures that move us from Sensoring for Battlefield
aviators operating forward. AMCOM fleet to tail number operational detail Effectiveness – Enabling
continues to lead Army aviation sustain- and real-time analytics. We will in- Decision Making Forward via
ment transformation by injecting future crease our investment in new technolo- Prognostic and Predictive
sustainment into new and modernizing gies such as Digital Twin mapping and Maintenance (PPMx)
systems, directing supply chain data an- Prognostic and Predictive Maintenance AMC is investing heavily in PPMx
alytics and information transformation, (PPMx) technologies across new and technologies across the installation, ma-
and modernizing our industrial base and modernizing systems, drive standard- teriel and sustainment enterprise. His-
equipment to keep pace with current, ization of data reporting across systems torically, embedding onboard sensors and
future and surge requirements. to improve analytics, and ensure digital diagnostics were geared toward building
and technological integration is imple- large amounts of pooled data, designed
Sustainment Data mented across our Organic Industrial to drive decisions at the strategic level.
Analytics – Information Age Base (OIB). AMCOM’s comprehensive However, the new shift within PPMx is
Sustainment data and analytics plan will serve as a to drive actionable data to tactical level
To best inform commanders and op- guide across our sustainment formation, formations to inform battlefield decision
erational decisions in an Information informing all of AMC’s subordinate ac- making. AMCOM is investing in big
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 14 January 31, 2022data analysis and related technologies model of the Black Hawk helicopter one airframe and capturing a 3D scan
to inform maintenance and supply deci- to the “Victor” model. The upgrade of each structural part, creating a virtual
sions at the tactical-unit level. The com- extends the life of the airframe, while model, or digital twin, which will help
mand is partnered with Army centers improving technological commonali- resolve challenges and boost efficiencies
of excellence, program executive offices ties with the Army’s Black Hawk fleet, for the Army’s enduring fleet of Black
and program managers to build effective including a glass, digital suite that in- Hawk helicopters. The primary objec-
data warehousing and analysis tools such cludes enhanced messaging between tive of the program is to create the abil-
as algorithms to improve tactical Army pilots, a moving map and a state-of- ity to provide support to the warfighter
readiness. AMCOM is working through the-art navigation system that provides and increase readiness. The results can
its program executive office partners to increased situational awareness. The affect future maintenance and sustain-
standardize data flows and information government-owned technology package ment for Black Hawk for years and
to deliver actionable data directly into used to upgrade the aircraft maximizes inform future initiatives for new and
the hands of units and maintainers. As competition among vendors. Using modernizing systems. Researchers at the
our technologies and initiatives progress, an open-system architecture approach National Institute of Aviation Research
aviation units and expert maintainers means the software design is not depen- are developing the digital twin under
will have full access to all platform data dent on proprietary systems, making it a partnership between AMCOM, the
– informing tactical decisions where they easier to add or swap components and Strategic Capabilities Office within the
matter most – forward. facilitate faster future upgrades. The first Office of the Secretary of Defense, and
UH-60V flew in September 2020 and Wichita State University. This effort will
Modernizing the Organic will initially be fielded to the National help define how we accept, store and
Industrial Base – Enabling Guard. The depot is slated to transi- manage 3D models for future systems,
Ready Units tion hundreds of Lima models to Vic- including FARA and FLRAA.
Through a 15-year OIB Modern- tor models, keeping and building upon
ization Plan, AMC is modernizing fa- PPMx technologies and lessons learned Commitment to Army
cilities, processes and skill sets to bring during prior PPMx implementation. Aviation Modernization
the OIB into the 21st century, infuse and Readiness – Supporting
industry best practices and refine hu- Advanced Manufacturing Today, Building Tomorrow
man resource management structures to – Sustainment Production at From increased investments in infor-
maximize the skills and capabilities of the Point of Need mation and decision tools, to innovation
our workforce. While the average age of AMCOM is actively progressing within the industrial base, AMC is pos-
facilities at Corpus Christi Army Depot advanced manufacturing capabilities tured and ready to fully support the Army
(CCAD) is 45 years, the processes, in- to set the theaters of today and tomor- and warfighters now and in the future.
vestments and artisan skill levels remain row. Advanced manufacturing refers to AMC, through AMCOM, will continue
innovative and capable of meeting the new ways of making existing products to support, develop and deliver effective
requirements of new, modernizing and and the production of new products us- technologies, sustainment concepts and
enduring fleets. For example, CCAD ing advances in technology. Advanced outcomes that aid and assist our aviation
facilities and overhaul capabilities are manufacturing includes additive man- forces and combatant commanders in
already being modified by our engineers ufacturing, joining materials to make setting the theater and delivering effects
to accommodate the emerging require- parts from 3D-model data. AMCOM anytime, anywhere. As global challenges
ments of Future Attack and Reconnais- is not only leading policy changes that continue to evolve, AMCOM will con-
sance Aircraft (FARA) and Future Long enable these new technologies but is tinue to transform its portfolio of avia-
Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), earn- actively identifying and certifying spare tion sustainment solutions and systems
ing the right to be Army Aviation’s De- parts to enable depot and field-level to meet those challenges.
pot Source of Repair. CCAD, in concert use. CCAD already uses technolo- Heavily engaged in Army Modern-
with AMCOM, is investing in the right gies such as tagnite plating, automated ization, AMC is investing early in new
tools, technologies and skills to recapi- blue light scanning and thermo spray systems – documentation, planning,
talize AH-64E, CH-47F and UH-60M plasma, but will add 3D metal printing, and fleet-wide decisions – to ensure our
as well. For example, CCAD recently laser additive manufacturing and cold force has an effective mix of ready, re-
opened phase two (of seven planned spray additive manufacturing over the liable and lethal aviation technologies.
phases) for its new multi-purpose pro- next four years. While aviation poses We are fully committed to developing
duction facility. CCAD also uses effec- unique challenges to advanced manu- the Army’s future vertical lift capabili-
tive public-private partnerships with facturing because of safety require- ties and enabling technological mod-
several commercial enterprises, gaining ments, AMCOM has assessed over ernization such as advanced manufac-
and leveraging both organic and com- 39,000 parts for use by CCAD and the turing, while simultaneously sustaining
mercial technology strengths to deliver field. We are actively working to build a an effective, enduring fleet in 2028,
capabilities to set the theater. future where required parts are built on 2035 and beyond.
demand, to exacting specifications and
Modernization via the provided forward at the point of need. GEN Edward M. Daly is
Organic Industrial Base – AMCOM’s commitment to en- the commanding general
Bridging the Gap (UH-60V) abling advanced manufacturing can be of U.S. Army Materiel
CCAD is maximizing the Army’s readily seen in our recent efforts to build Command headquartered
investment in an enduring fleet of air- a “Digital Twin” of the UH-60L. Re- at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
craft by upgrading the UH-60 “Lima” searchers are completely disassembling
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 15 January 31, 2022u AMCOM Commander Update
Editor’s Note: For this AMCOM – Aviation Maintenance special focus issue, the branch chief, MG David J. Francis, has
coordinated having the Army Aviation Enterprise maintenance / sustainment leader, MG K. Todd Royar, his command
sergeant major, and the Branch Aviation Maintenance Officer, provide the lead, “To the Field,” command group articles.
U.S. ARMY AMCOM GRAPHIC
AMCOM Employs Army Aviation
Sustainment Strategy for Enduring and
Future Fleet Solutions
By MG K. Todd Royar and Mr. Tom Barthel
A rmy priorities are clear: People, AAESS’s five major objectives – an Expeditionary Aviation
Force, Reduced Logistics Footprint, Increased Organic Capa-
Readiness and Modernization. bility, Improved Operational Availability and Decreased Life
Underpinning each of those is our ability Cycle Costs. By using the AAESS as a guide, we can direct and
enable any modernization efforts and their sustainment solu-
to sustain both our people and our tions toward more affordable, standardized, and less resource
equipment. intensive solutions. The AAESS has already proven to be a use-
ful tool getting us closer to a common destination, but there is
still more work to do.
It is imperative that we use the AAESS to continue to guide
The Army Aviation Enterprise is utilizing the Army Aviation the Aviation Enterprise to develop better sustainment solu-
Sustainment Strategy (AAESS) to develop solutions for tions. The simple fact is that we have three primary manned
the enduring fleet today that will directly lead to success in rotary-wing aircraft today. However, as we bring the Future
sustaining the future fleet in multi-domain operations. Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) and the Future
Three years ago, we developed the Army Aviation Enterprise Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) online, that number
Sustainment Strategy (AAESS) to help us scope and guide all will increase to five. If we fail to gain efficiencies in the sus-
of our efforts that should ultimately be driving towards the tainment system, the sheer weight of the different systems we
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 16 January 31, 2022have to sustain will overwhelm us. In this article we will briefly blade-repair machine at CCAD will start repairing UH-60
touch on how the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command blades in the next month or two reducing repair time from
(AMCOM) is utilizing the AAESS to guide our sustainment over 30 days to less than 7 and has the potential to do so for
modernization efforts in terms of Data Analytics, Prognostic future blades, as well.
and Predictive Maintenance (PPMx), and modernization of
the Organic Industrial Base. Advanced Manufacturing
Additionally, we are using the AAESS to guide our Ad-
Digital Thread vanced Manufacturing (AM) concepts. The Expeditionary
As General Daly noted in his article, Army Materiel Com- Aviation Objective will enable us to not only do AM at the
mand (AMC) and AMCOM are focused on using data ana- depot level, but also in the field. Reduced Logistics Footprint
lytics, and the so-called “digital thread,” for future sustainment. moves us towards AM solutions that are not reliant on clean
This directly supports the AAESS Line of Effort 4: Sustain- rooms, huge power-source requirements and infrastructure, and
ment Processes, Practices and Doctrine. The term “digital fixed AM equipment. Focusing on Increased Organic Capabil-
thread,” however, can mean a lot of things depending on who ity promotes utilizing our depots and capitalizes on AM, shift-
you talk to and what role they perform. Whether it’s being able ing away from OEM required component and CLIX sourcing
to communicate between systems, having digital blueprints of through the entire lifecycle of the aviation system. Our Depots
components, or the data backbone architecture designed to in- and Soldiers should be sustaining our supply depth and use
tegrate multiple systems effectively – it all has a place. So how AM as much as possible to support ourselves both on and away
do we build effective systems, processes and practices that are from the battlefield.
nested with doctrine and enable sustainment success in large- In closing, I want to reiterate that the AAESS is an enter-
scale combat operations? prise solution. The entire Aviation 6 Pack is focused on provid-
The Future Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team (FVL ing the force unparalleled lethality, reach, survivability, and reli-
CFT) and the Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation have ability needed to operate on the future battlefield. Fortunately,
made tremendous strides in creating the Modern Open System the tenets of the AAESS apply to the current -- as well as the
Approach (MOSA) which enables components to talk to one future force -- by design. As a result, many of the processes and
another. That same approach is already starting to pay divi- systems being put in place today will enable the readiness of
dends on the Gray Eagle. To physically build the components, our current fleet as well as the success of our future fleet.
a 3D drawing is needed. We are using the guiding principles
in the AAESS to build a digital twin of a UH-60L where ev- MG K. Todd Royar is the commanding general of the U.S. Army
ery structural part is modelled in a 3-Dimensional Computer- Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command at
Aided Design file. This effort is proving to be the pathfinder Redstone Arsenal, AL; Mr. Tom Barthel is the acting chief of the
for FVL by determining the minimum requirements for 3D AMCOM G-3 Strategy division.
files. Finally, we need to be able to effectively store and retrieve
the data. The AAESS is guiding us to develop a common data-
base across all users vice the disparate systems we have today.
As we develop the Prognostic and Predictive Maintenance
(PPMx) program for the Army, we need to continually relate
the five objectives in the AAESS to every output. AMCOM is
looking at outputs of current sensor data in conjunctions with
Reliability Centered Maintenance practices to help improve
the maintenance schedules of the current fleet. Moreover, we
are looking to determine what analytic capability needs to be
realized that will become the backbone of PPMx. Without
modernizing how we process and relay sensor data to our Sol-
diers and more specifically our maintainers, no matter the sen-
TIME
sor or source, we will continually search for the perfect amount
and type of data that ultimately doesn’t meet our needs and
continually depletes finite fiscal resources in the process. The
AAESS will help scope and refine our Aviation PPMx out-
TESTED
puts towards an affordable program allowing both predictive
and prognostic maintenance. These PPMx outputs will further
develop the requirements defining Limited Maintenance Free
Operation Periods and only necessary maintenance as opposed CLS SUPPORT
to time-interval inspections and the associated multiple levels
of maintenance iterations.
The AAESS is also helping to guide our efforts in mod-
ernizing the Organic Industrial Base in terms of both facili-
ties and tooling. All of the facilities being planned and con-
structed at Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) are being
built to enable repair and remanufacturing of all current and
future systems. Equally important, the tooling being procured
now takes advantage of robotics and will have applicability to 972.441.2423 KingAerospace.com
repair both current and future systems. For example, a new
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 17 January 31, 2022u Aviation Branch Maintenance Officer Update
Importance of
Sustainment
Modernization
at the
Operator
Level
By CW5 Patrick O’Neill
A s units return
from a reduced
operational period over
the holidays, maintaining
aircraft readiness can be
challenging.
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SGT. FRANCIS CALABRO
With reduced manpower, typical winter
weather, and the current COVID-19
supply-chain disruptions, having a
maintenance strategy to bridge these
Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat
sustainment gaps and meet the eventual Aviation Brigade reinstall the main rotor head on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter after routine mainte-
surge of flying hours is critical. What nance at an airfield in the 28th ECAB’s area of operations in the Middle East.
is also critical, but a little more opaque,
is a strategic view on maintaining cur-
rent and future fleet aircraft in Large
Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) in a tion of these systems in LSCO. Some they may not perform the same. U.S.
Multi-Domain fight. As we modernize of the modernization efforts include Army Aviation and Missile Command
our enduring aviation fleet and prepare Advanced Manufacturing, Prognostic (AMCOM) Policy 070-062 and AM-
for Future Vertical Lift (FVL), under- and Predictive Maintenance (PPMx), COM Execution Order 050-18 outline
standing how to apply modernization and using sensored parts that reduce that guidance.
efforts and the Army Aviation Enter- time between overhauls and enable ex- The AMCOM policy states that
prise Sustainment Strategy at the tacti- tended Maintenance Free Operating units have input into nominating which
cal- and operational-maintenance levels Periods (MFOP). These are all eventu- parts are evaluated for 3D scans first.
is critical for our future fight. alities that will reside in a maintainer’s Currently, most of these solutions are
Maintainers that turn wrenches and toolbox in the not too distant future. made above the brigade level, but the
maintenance managers who advise and The Army and other services are ac- eventual focus is to get some level of ad-
schedule aircraft must have a clear un- tively pursuing advanced manufactur- vanced manufacturing to the maintain-
derstanding of how maintenance will ing (AM) solutions. Of course, along ers in the field. Being able to produce
be conducted for LSCO, and what with this new ability there are policies a low-density part that can be used to
modernization efforts are currently in place to help guide us in the proper extend operating periods or recover an
ongoing. Developing this intercon- use and application. Under the current aircraft forward in combat at the battal-
nected knowledge of strategy and policy, all AM parts must be approved ion- or company-level is something for
modernization will reduce the learning before use. Three-D printed parts may which we should continue to strive.
curve when it comes to the applica- look and fit as well as the original, but The starting block of this comes
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 18 January 31, 2022from developing 3D models of current with 3D printers within the Aviation utilizing PPMx with a common health
aircraft within the fleet and any future Classification Repair Activity Depots. indication data architecture across all
fleets with FVL. In partnership with Understanding how to safely and ef- fleets, and implementing tail number-
academia and, in particular, the Na- fectively employ the use of advanced based decisions, we will minimize risk
tional Institute for Aviation Research manufacturing in the future will enable and reduce maintenance man hours and
at Wichita State University, we have units to extend their reach and lethality authorized stockage list, while also ex-
completed a 3D model of a UH-60 in while operating in contested environ- tending operational reach and duration.
the past few months. We will eventu- ments, across dispersed footprints, for By having well-managed fleets with
ally have every aircraft 3D modeled longer periods of time. long MFOP, we will greatly reduce the
and those scans will be available for the Prognostic and Predictive Mainte- parts needed to maintain these aircraft.
maintainer to use. nance (PPMx) is a key component to PPMx will help us with this task by
The 3D modeling of parts and com- managing and maintaining the current predicting only what’s needed, thus re-
ponents opens the doors of possibility and future fleet of aircraft. Past health ducing our logistical footprint. We are
to a fully printable system. The reality monitoring units may have only mea- increasing capabilities with 3D printing
might be a portion of a system, or a re- sured vibrations, but current and future and additive manufacturing to produce
inforcing part derived from a mainte- systems will create an interconnected parts that are needed, which improves
nance engineering call. As maintenance catalogue of sortable data that can be our operational availability and increases
managers or maintainers, how will this used to efficiently manage aircraft by our organic capabilities. Lastly, PPMx
change or influence operations? Cur- the tail number as opposed to by fleet. will decrease life-cycle cost of our air-
rently, there are several units that have PPMx will allow for longer intervals frames by reduced maintenance on wing
purchased, or are in the process of pur- between scheduled maintenance actions of removal and replacement of parts that
chasing, the most basic 3D printers to and can be individualized for specific still have useful safe-operating time left.
start manufacturing approved, non- aircraft. More importantly, PPMx will How we use and implement these
flight critical parts and tools. The list of allow commanders and maintenance tools and systems will make the differ-
items will only continue to increase. So- managers the ability to see what is go- ence in winning in LSCO – and win-
phisticated printers will be able to pro- ing to fail next and address impending ning matters.
duce more complex components. One failure on components prior to the time
day in the near future, units will be able between overhauls or well after the rec- CW5 Patrick O’Neill is the Avia-
to produce limited critical flight compo- ommended hours for service. This will tion Branch Maintenance Officer, U.S.
nents. The National Guard has already eliminate unnecessary preventive main- Army Aviation and Missile Command
started to produce several components tenance. By sustaining aircraft MFOP at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 19 January 31, 2022u AMCOM Command Sergeant Major Update
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SGT SARAH D. SANGSTER
Successful Sustainment Modernization
Requires Additional Maintenance Training
By CSM Bradford Smith
I n October 2021, the Army released the Soldiers of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade perform routine maintenance
on AH-64 Apache Helicopters at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. Maintainers
four-page NCO Strategy, “Preparing identify, troubleshoot, and repair any issues the aircraft may be
experiencing.
Enlisted Leaders to Compete, Fight,
and Win,” signed by the Army Chief of the operational lens of the Army Learning Doman. Page two
Staff, General James McConville and in the NCO Strategy states “the most elite fighting forces in
the world are built upon small units and individuals who are
Sergeant Major of the Army Michael masters of their craft.” NCOs need to understand the purpose
Grinston. It is a very straight-forward of the Aviation Maintenance Training Program (AMTP)
TC 3-04.71, dated December 2020. Maintainers need to be
read on the NCO Strategy Purpose and proficient in their craft and have/learn the knowledge they
End States that has four initiatives. need to progress to the next level in their respective crafts.
The Aviation Branch Command Sergeant Major, CSM James
Wilson, and his team at Fort Rucker, Alabama, are leading
I will concentrate on only one, the “Well Trained” initiative the doctrine effort on the AMTP every day. Along with the
of the NCO Strategy and “This is my Squad” in this article. entire Aviation Enterprise, they are continuously improving
We, as an NCO Corps, can achieve the well-trained status by maintainer training and documentation of the training in
using a holistic approach on all fronts to ensure we train our Digital Training Management System.
maintainers to master their respective crafts within the entire Trained maintainers need to ensure their paperwork is
Aviation Enterprise. accurate, especially checking to make sure they are inputting
Having a well-trained Soldier starts with an aviation correct work codes and accurate man-hours in logbooks, etc.
maintenance training program for each Soldier within the This is critically important in data collecting. Maintenance
unit. As Professional Soldiers, they should be trained to the is training. I am sure we have all heard this before and it
highest level; that is the responsibility of the unit NCOs from is true. Maintenance is training and we should take full
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 20 January 31, 2022u Enlisted Aviation Soldier Spotlight
Each issue we will feature a past AAAA National or Functional Enlisted or NCO Award winner as part of our ongoing recognition of the Best of
the Best in our Aviation Branch. The CY 2020 National winners were featured in the April/May AAAA Annual State of the Union issue.
Henry Q. Dunn Crew Chief of the Year, 2019
Sponsored by Robertson Fuel Systems
SSG Rene A. Romero
Company C, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
(Airborne) Fort Campbell, Kentucky
S
taff Sergeant Rene A. Romero is the 2019 AAAA Crew Chief of the Year due to his
exceptional contributions to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment (Airborne). SSG Romero has served as the Charlie Company
AAPI FILE PHOTO
Standardization Instructor and a Fully Mission Qualified crew chief for the Army’s only attack
and assault helicopter company, consisting of 12 highly modified MH-60M Defensive Armed
Penetrator Black Hawk helicopters. Upon assuming the position of Company SI, SSG Romero assessed the company’s Non-Rated
Crew Member readiness and development. He created attainable goals and a plan of action to increase mission capability and
to better support the special operations ground forces. His vision, leadership, and dedication to training directly increased the
company’s combat crews, a testament to his tenacity and ability to train Soldiers. Staff Sergeant Romero has flown a total of
1,500 flight hours, of which 600 were in combat. Additionally, 300 of those hours were flown in the Mi-17 while serving as the
Standardization Instructor with the Afghani Army. He personally oversaw the training of 31 Non-Rated Crew Members in the most
specialized of Army Aviation missions. He is undoubtedly the AAAA Henry Q. Dunn Crew Chief of the Year.
advantage of this opportunity. I recommend we slow down AMCOM LARs as a resource can reduce the time it takes to
our maintenance. Yes, I said slow down our maintenance in complete a maintenance task.
order to take full advantage of all training opportunities, in Corpus Christi Army Depot offers Soldiers depot-level
accordance with maintenance allocation charts. We all have maintenance training that gives them an in-depth knowledge,
seen or been there when an aircraft goes down and it seems hands-on training and a wealth of experience that will enhance
like it is a rush to get it back up. This is a great opportunity a Soldier’s and a unit’s readiness.
to train maintainers on a task or tasks that get the aircraft With an uptick in aircraft corrosion issues, AMCOM offers
back up. With slowing down maintenance, we also need to a corrosion training program. This program offers the following:
make sure our write-ups in Aircraft Notebook (ACN) are as A survey of the overall Corrosion Program, required biennial
accurate and detailed as possible with all correct work codes. training, and Corrosion program hands-on assistance, train-
Taking full advantage of this opportunity. An aircraft breaking ing that can be offered onsite and at no cost to the unit. The
has the following advantages: Corrosion Monitoring class can be delivered virtually or as an
n Our maintainers receive training on a specific task. in-person, three-day course at Redstone Arsenal, for which the
n Our aircraft are properly repaired. unit pays TDY. The Non-Destructive Testing training can be
n The maintainers are inputting accurate data into ACN, delivered onsite at no cost or units can send personnel to Red-
which will better inform maintenance on our current aircraft stone Arsenal, again for which the unit pays the TDY. For more
and our future platforms, the Future Attack Reconnaissance information on AMCOM’s Corrosion Program, visit the web-
Aircraft (FARA) and the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft site at https://www.amcom.army.mil/Organization/Corrosion/.
(FLRAA), within the Predictive Prognostic Maintenance Leaders at all levels, using a holistic approach and taking
(PPMX) effort. advantage of all of the available resources, need to give
due diligence to train, develop and certify the maintainers
Resources throughout their careers. As the battlefield continues to
The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) morph and evolve, Army Aviation must be agile in its ability
can assist with this holistic approach by syncing its resources to adapt to the constantly changing training environment. It
in this effort with units to help leaders, NCOs and maintainers is the responsibility of leaders at all levels to be committed to
master their craft. AMCOM’s resources include: ensuring that units have the resources and time to provide that
Logistic Assistance Representatives (LARs) who are training. For the more we sweat in training, the less we break
embedded in nearly every aviation battalion. AMCOM equipment.
LARs have completed an extensive training program and Tradition of Excellence!
are subject matter experts in their field. The LARs can and
do serve as a supplement for Soldiers who are training on an CSM Bradford Smith is the command sergeant major of the
aircraft task. The units can and should rely on their knowledge Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command at
when developing Soldiers’ troubleshooting skills. Using the Redstone Arsenal, AL.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 21 January 31, 2022u Combat Readiness Center Update
Aviation
Maintenance
Training Programs:
Are You in
Compliance?
By Mr. Timothy Edgette
F
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SPC STANFORD TORAN, 28TH ECAB
ailure to maintain Aviation assets
affects capabilities and sustainment
and has a direct impact on mission
execution.
Without the attack, lift, reconnaissance, and surveillance U.S. Army SGT Luis Carrillo, AH-64 helicopter repairer with 4-4 Attack
capabilities Aviation assets provide, the best laid plans and Renaissance Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade,
operations are nothing more than a dream of execution. performs routine maintenance on an AH-64 Apache helicopter in the 28th
Commanders rely on Aviation support, which is predicated on ECAB’s area of operations in the Middle East.
having the appropriate amount of available assets to execute
training and combat operations simultaneously. Therefore,
it is critical that Aviation commanders evaluate their unit’s 4856, which should be utilized to record Aviation maintenance
ability to perform the required (forecasted and unforecasted) events such as initial counseling and failed evaluations.
maintenance necessary to position assets appropriately. Optional forms that may be maintained in the IFRF include
Training Circular (TC) 3-04.71 is the reference for estab- DA Form 5164-R, to record an ICTL event or evaluation for
lishing an Aviation maintenance training program (AMTP). an individual, and/or DA Form 5165-R, which can be used to
The AMTP is the method by which commanders standard- record an ICTL event for a group of individuals/Soldiers.
ize Aviation maintenance training and evaluate their unit’s Once established and maintained, the IFRF and AMTP re-
maintenance capabilities. It began a phased implementation cord will allow commanders to determine if a maintainer or
in October 2018 and should have been fully implemented by maintenance leader is trained and qualified or untrained and
October 2021. The AMPT reflects a unit’s ability to main- awaiting training or evaluation. Additionally, it gives com-
tain a high operational readiness rate and establishes and manders the ability to develop training plans and opportunities
defines its maintenance level (ML) designations. AMTPs based on their unit’s ML composition. Furthermore, by focus-
are executed and maintained in accordance with TC 3-04.71 ing maintenance training at the appropriate ML and standard-
and are applicable to all components, one through three izing training, commanders and maintenance leaders ensure all
(COMPO 1, 2, 3). maintenance progression, proficiency and competency is evalu-
All Aviation maintainers conducting maintenance, services ated and measured in the same manner. Effectively, command-
or modifications should have an individual critical task list ers will know their unit’s qualifications and capabilities and be
(ICTL), which is accessible via the Central Army Registry able to program training to enhance its readiness as well as the
dashboard by military occupational specialty. Instructions individual maintainer’s skills and capabilities.
for accessing and creating an ICTL are in TC 3-04.71, Ensure your Aviation maintenance organizations are
Appendix A, Training Products Management. The ICTL adhering to and maintaining an AMTP and IFRF for each
should be maintained within Department of the Army (DA) maintainer. Failure to do so could have detrimental effects on
Form 3513 as part of the AMTP record. If DA Form 3513 is your unit’s effectiveness and capabilities as well as be found
not available, TC 3-04.71 lists a national stock number for a causal should it experience an Aviation mishap. Familiarize
tri-fold folder that will be used in lieu of the individual flight yourself with TC 3-04.71 and ensure your maintenance
records folder (IFRF). leaders and supervisors do the same.
Per TC 3-04.71, items of the AMTP record for the IFRF
include a DA Form 7817, which is used to permanently record Mr. Timothy Edgette is assigned to the G3, Investigations,
all major events and training for the individual maintainer. Reporting and Tracking for the U.S. Army Combat Readiness
Additionally, located within the AMTP record are DA Form Center, Fort Rucker, AL.
ARMY AVIATION Magazine 22 January 31, 2022You can also read
