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    Aviation sergeant major talks leadership and modernization

    SOUTH KOREA

    03.19.2019

    Story by Sgt. Courtney Davis 

    2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

    Aviation sergeant major talks leadership and modernization

    By Sgt. Courtney Davis
    2nd Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

    CAMP Humphreys, Republic of Korea – Aviation branch Command Sgt. Maj. Brian. N. Hauke and Orlando, Florida native, dined with 1st Sgts. and Sgt. Majs. assigned to 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division at Talon Café, here, March 1.

    Hauke, a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crew chief by trade with over 3,000 hours in flight, started a question and answer session with the leaders while eating lunch.

    Topics ranged from the challenges leaders face when stationed in Korea to the modernization and future of Army aircraft.

    The 2CAB senior noncommissioned officers began the conversation by discussing the challenges and impacts associated with a short one-year assignment to Korea. The tour lengths impact the leadership’s ability to retain continuity and aviation experience crucial to maintaining a combat ready fleet of aircraft. They explained that while not impossible, it is very challenging to sustain a cohesive team trained at a high level of proficiency.

    Hauke expressed his understanding but also told the leaders that this problem has been around for a long time and is confident they can accomplish the mission with the hand they are dealt.

    “The goal is to lead Soldiers in the right direction while they learn their craft for as long as they’re around… after the noncommissioned officer has trained the Soldier to their full ability, there should be a level of comfort knowing the Soldier can achieve any mission successfully,” he said.

    Army aviation will ultimately benefit from the trained maintainers produced here in Korea.
    Hauke also discussed the topic of modernization and Future Vertical Lift. While still years ahead, the modernization of helicopters will increase aviation maintenance efficiency.

    “With modernization, condition based maintenance may allow aircraft to fly many more hours before having to be serviced,” said Hauke. “The helicopter will notify the crew when the oil needs to be changed, and when there is a problem a code will pop-up. No longer will maintainers have to take apart the whole plane,” he said. “As technology develops the goal is for the future mechanic to be directed to the exact maintenance issue and then shown how to mitigate the situation.”

    With updated technology, could come other challenges. While maintaining the aircraft might be easier, Soldiers must still remain sharp with their skills. So they are looking into future solutions to that problem as well.

    “What I hear out of the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy all the time is ‘all Sgt. Maj. cares about is maintenance,’” said Hauke. “If you have any aspiration of performing at the senior level in our branch and you don’t know maintenance, you better get there regardless of your background. Maintenance is important to our mission.”

    The future of Army aviation is bright due to modernization and more importantly, today’s Soldiers. Hauke showed the leadership a tremendous amount of gratitude for the NCO leadership of 2CAB. The future of Army aaviation is in great hands and truly is above the best.

    “Maj. Gen. Gayler, CW5 Roland and I thank you for everything you do,” said Hauke. “It’s not easy, I got it. We have asked and continue to ask 1st Sgts. and Sgts. Maj. to do more than I ever had to do, so thank you.”

    Gayler, a Dahlonega, Georgia native, is the commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker. Roland is a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and serves as the chief warrant officer for Army Aviation.
    -S2N-

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.19.2019
    Date Posted: 03.18.2019 21:39
    Story ID: 314744
    Location: KR
    Hometown: CAPE COD, MA, US
    Hometown: DAHLONEGA, GA, US
    Hometown: EL PASO, TX, US
    Hometown: FORT NOVOSEL, AL, US
    Hometown: ORLANDO, FL, US
    Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US

    Web Views: 86
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