Honoring innovation: AAAA recognizes USAACE contributions, units, people

By Kelly P. Pate, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Public AffairsApril 10, 2015

Honoring innovation: AAAA recognizes USAACE contributions, units, people
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ellis Golson, director, Capability Development and Integration Directorate for U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, received the Joseph P. Cribbins Department of the Army Civilian of the Year award for 2014 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conv... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Honoring innovation: AAAA recognizes USAACE contributions, units, people
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 2-13th Aviation Regiment received the Robert M. Leich Award for sustained contributions to Army Aviation in 2014 at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, Tenn., March 30. Pictu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (April 9, 2015) -- Members of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence were recognized for their innovation in Army Aviation over the past year at the Army Aviation Association of America's annual forum in Nashville, Tennessee, March 30.

The 2nd Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade received the Robert M. Leich Award, which lauds sustained contributions to Army Aviation in 2014, at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

The battalion is a "model of a unit that embraces innovation by combining technologies, all the while maintaining their warrior ethos in a cavalry and scout mentality," said Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Daniel B. Allyn. "They are at the cutting edge of innovation and technology, learning how to best integrate our unmanned aerial surveillance, and implement manned and unmanned teaming."

The 2-13th Avn. Rgt. based at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, is responsible for training UAS experts for the Army by creating unmanned aeroscout operators, maintainers, warrant officers and UAS leader education.

The battalion's efforts included developing the first full-scale UAS gunnery program in Army Aviation, implementing Army Learning Model 2015 in all programs of instruction and continued pursuit of instrument flight rating certification for UAS.

Receiving the award were 2-13th Avn. Rgt. Commander Lt. Col. Clinton J. Conzemius and Command Sgt. Maj. S. Todd Schmidt.

"On behalf of all members of the 2-13th Avn. Rgt., we are humbled and honored for the recognition of becoming the first unmanned Aviation organization to receive the AAAA Robert M. Leich Award. We are committed to excellence and this recognition only motivates us to further improve all aspects of our organization," Conzemius said.

The efforts of the Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and contractors of the 2-13th directly impact the Aviation Branch and the readiness of UAS units across the Army, according to Col. Shawn Prickett, commander of the 1st Aviation Brigade.

"They are an exceptional team whose hard work, passion for soldiering, and dedication to Army Aviation is evident in everything they do. At every level, the unit continues to produce the very best quality Army Aviation UAS Soldiers and officers through world-class training, flight instruction, maintenance training and professional military education," Prickett said.

Ellis Golson, director, Capability Development and Integration Directorate for USAACE, received the Joseph P. Cribbins Department of the Army Civilian of the Year award, which recognizes an outstanding individual contribution to Army Aviation.

According to an AAAA press release, the award commended Golson's leadership in managing the Aviation portfolio, laying out the Branch's strategic requirements for Department of Defense and congressional leaders, and ensuring the most modernized Aviation capabilities are supported.

The release cited Golson's "attention to thousands of details, as well as dogged defense of all Aviation systems and the Soldiers who fight."

"Golson's leadership in developing, defending, and ultimately initiating implementation of ARI (Aviation Restructure Initiative) made him the logical choice and illustrates why he was so worthy of this recognition," said retired Brig. Gen. Howard W. Yellen, AAAA president.

The Army's ARI enables Army Aviation to draw down force structure while retaining the most capable and ready force possible.

Included in the ARI are force structure changes and reorganization, divestiture of legacy OH-58 aircraft, preserving the most modernized platforms and replacing the aging TH-67 trainer fleet with the UH-72A.

"It is indeed an honor to receive the Cribbins Award for the AAAA Department of the Army Civilian of the Year and to accept it on behalf of all the DA Civilians who wear a uniform on their heart every day, doing what is best for our Soldiers," Golson said.

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