www.army.mil • 21st July 2022

McCurry takes command of USAACE, Fort Rucker

FORT RUCKER, Ala. — Brigadier Gen. Michael C. McCurry assumed command of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker from Maj. Gen. David J. Francis during a change of command ceremony on Howze Field July 21, 2022.

Lt. Gen. Theodore D. Martin, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth commander, facilitated the ceremonial passing of the unit colors from outgoing to incoming leader.

In his remarks, Martin welcomed attendees to the combined in-person and virtual ceremon

www.army.mil • 8th October 2021

Female drill sergeant earns Aviator wings

FORT RUCKER, Ala. — One of Fort Benning's first female drill sergeants continues to show how a highly trained, disciplined, and fit Soldier can ascend to new heights — this time, by trading in her campaign hat for a flight helmet.

U.S. Army Warrant Officer Jessica L. Burns earned her aviator wings in a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum Oct. 7, 2021, and is ready to take her place above the best Soldiers in the world as a Black Hawk pilot.

With 14 years in the Army, Burns measures succe

www.army.mil • 23rd July 2021

'Never Give Up': Inspirational speaker brings message of resiliency to Fort Rucker

When Justin “JP” Lane’s vehicle was hit by an IED while on a route clearance mission in Afghanistan in 2011, it wasn’t the first time.

But this time, the 9-line call for medevac support was for him, and the speedy arrival of a Black Hawk helicopter on the scene was lifesaving.

“I’m living, walking proof that your job is more important than sometimes you may even think,” the decorated veteran and double amputee said to Army aviation professionals at Fort Rucker July 20.

“When someone’s in that

www.army.mil • 5th October 2020

60 years of soldiering and helping Soldiers, and he'd do it all again

After 60 years of combined federal service, Thomas Clark is retiring.

While he may have to learn a new routine that doesn't include packing his briefcase in the mornings and driving to Fort Rucker, he will not have to wonder about the legacy he leaves behind.

The longtime employee at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Directorate of Training and Doctrine here is well known for his professionalism and for helping Soldiers.

“Mr. Clark is the epitome of what a professional employee shou

www.army.mil • 1st September 2020

Flight school, diversity focus of Army Aviation cadet mentorship events

Army Aviation experts come together virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic as mentors to help ensure cadets with the United States Military Academy and Reserve Officer Training Corps, including at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, get the information they need to pursue their dreams.

The virtual mentorship events, with the support of the Organization and Personnel Force Development Directorate, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, provide information about flight school and care

www.army.mil • 20th December 2019

'Here for a reason': Fort Rucker's G-3 airspace official retires after 50 years combined service

Those who know him best in Army Aviation refer to him as a "national treasure."

Jack Holmes, a Vietnam veteran who retired from the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, has been the G-3 installation air traffic and airspace official for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker for 30 years.

After half a century of combined active duty and Department of the Army civilian service, Holmes made his final flight, landing on Howze Field Dec. 19, closing the chapter in his life marke

www.army.mil • 25th November 2019

Family legacy of service takes on special meaning for Army flight school grad

Sitting on the beach in Puerto Rico only a few years ago, Warrant Officer Fernando Torrent was talking with his father about his options for the future, when they saw a UH-72 helicopter of the Puerto Rico National Guard flying nearby.

His father, now-retired Col. Fernando L. Torrent, who shares a family namesake, encouraged his son to don the uniform and become part of a family legacy as he and other members of the Torrent family had done.

Pointing to the helicopter in the sky above them, he s

www.army.mil • 5th March 2019

Fort Rucker Sergeant Audie Murphy Association inducts 3 NCOs

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The Fort Rucker Sergeant Audie Murphy Association added three new members to its ranks during a ceremony Feb. 22 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.

Command Sgt. Maj. Brian N. Hauke, command sergeant major of the Aviation Branch and guest speaker at the event, said being inducted into the association is a monumental occasion in the NCOs' careers.

The newest inductees were: Sgt. 1st Class Charles T. Kopp, senior small group leader, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence NCO

Hire A Veteran • 5th February 2019

Forum highlights priorities, future of Army aviation | Article

FORT RUCKER, Ala. — “It’s our job to be ready. It’s what we do.”

That’s according to the Army’s senior Aviator, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James C. McConville, who explained the Army’s topline remains constant as the service prepares for the future, during his remarks at the Aviation Senior Leader Forum at Fort Rucker Jan. 29.

McConville emphasized key Army priorities of readiness, modernization, and managing the Army’s most important weapons system — its people, as he spoke to more

www.army.mil • 4th April 2018

Dual-Army couple balances career, family with support from Army community

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- When she grows up, the currently two-year-old daughter of the Valle family may not remember the day her parents, 2nd Lt. Brandie Valle and 1st Lt. Brandon Valle, graduated from flight school at Fort Rucker.

She'll likely forget the events of the ceremony -- from the chaplain's prayer to the playing of the Army song, or even the big moment her parents pinned each other's Aviation wings during the Initial Entry Rotary Wing graduation ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum

www.army.mil • 7th February 2018

Honoring a Hero: World War II bombardier 'home at last'

It's been said that as long as people keep searching, the answers come.

The adage proved to be true in the community of Defuniak Springs, Fla., as more than 450 people gathered to celebrate the long-awaited return of a World War II hero's remains to his hometown Jan. 27.

First Lt. Ewart T. Sconiers, a U.S. Army Air Forces bombardier, died in German-occupied Poland in 1944 from complications following an injury while a prisoner in the Stalag Luft III Nazi prison camp that was made famous in the

www.army.mil • 21st November 2016

Meet Your Army: Black Hawk instructor aims for a life more than ordinary

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- He gets six weeks to make a difference in a young aviator's life.

And that, coupled with an obvious passion for being part of something greater than himself, is the fire that motivates Chief Warrant Officer 2 Thomas K. Henderson, a Black Hawk helicopter instructor pilot and section leader at E Company, 1-212th Aviation Regiment, 110th Aviation Brigade at the Army Aviation Center of Excellence.

"I think what every man fears at death is that [his] life meant nothing. I want