06/06/2018
On June 6th in 1942, while in the middle of WWII, the United States War Department sent a memorandum to the commanding general of Army Ground Forces authorizing organic air observation for the Field Artillery. Thus began modern organic "Army Aviation" as a key part of ground maneuver, separate and distinct from the Army Air Forces which later became the U.S. Air Force after the war.
From this humble beginning, flying Piper Cub L-4 "Liaison" aircraft to the present day, Army Aviation continues to be indispensable. Commanders at every level depend on it to ensure mission success. From light/heavy attack to observation to intelligence, reconnaissance surveillance and targeting (ISRT); from aerial resupply to air movement to air assault; from medical evacuation to homeland security; from disaster relief to humanitarian rescue, Army Aviation is a vital element in the equation for success.
This didn't happen by chance. Seventy-six years of dedicated, innovative, steadfast development of capabilities and honing of crew skills have met increasingly complex challenges on a world-wide scale. The aviation professionals of the total Army Aviation force (Active, National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve) have proven time and again that they are more than up to the tasks set before them.
We stand on the shoulders of men like former AAAA President, LTG Bob Williams, and others in the famous 1942 "Class Before One" and those in the "Cub Club" who followed as those early Liaison pilots as well as our heroes in Korea and Vietnam taking Army Aviation to new dimensions, and building on their successes to today fighting the Global War on Terrorism. Army Aviation has always been there to ensure the success of our ground component brothers and sisters.
Let us also remember the Industry partners who have invested and stood with us as we prepare to meet the call of the Nation.
Today, we salute the men and women throughout the Army Aviation Enterprise, past, present and future, for their contributions to our nation and look with confidence to the future as they continue to serve "Above the Best!"
Happy Birthday Army Aviation as we celebrate both Army Aviation’s Birthday today and that of the Army’s Birthday on 14 June when we will be 243 years old!
