FORT RUCKER, Ala. (November 3, 2011) -- Members of the Army Aviation community from around the world gathered at Fort Rucker Oct. 24-28 to tackle issues together and chart the future of the Aviation Branch.

The Aviation Synchronization Conference, run by Headquarters Department of the Army, G3/5/7, Department of the Army Military Operations - Aviation, provides a biannual forum where representatives across the Army Aviation Enterprise can collaborate and present their findings for general officer-level decisions. Aviation issues include training and equipment, unmanned aircraft systems and medical evacuation.

What comes out of the conference are synchronized efforts and a unified message to support the warfighter, said CW5 Jon Larue, action officer for HQDA, G3/5/7, DAMO-AV Aircraft Survivability and Equipment.

"We had roughly 600 people in attendance supporting 12 working group discussions, which led to a number of topics being resolved and general direction given to the Army Aviation community in support of the Aviation Campaign Plan and the Army Campaign Plan," Larue said.

Army Aviation efforts that are ongoing throughout the year develop the issues that culminate in the conference, Larue said.

The conference brings issues for all the flying platforms, training issues, and funding issues and helps develop a long-term strategy for the Aviation Branch in areas such as acquisition and training, said Joe Back, a senior program manager who handles Army Aviation training and force structure issues at HQDA's Aviation directorate.

The conference marked Back's 10th conference where he has participated in the week-long synchronization effort.

"Aviation has a great tool here to continue to move in a specific direction and look beyond. No other branch does this as well as Aviation," Back said.

He said it all boils down to supporting the Soldier in harm's way.

"Aviation is one of the most demanded branches and requirements for the warfight. We are able to address current issues to help the pilots and Soldiers in the field to execute their mission safely and more effectively," Back said. "Also, this conference accelerates the requirements to meet the needs of Soldiers that are fighting in theaters of war. Where the usual acquisition process takes three to five years, we've been able to get things done in six months. So, it's really a good forum."

Earlier in the week, Maj. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, thanked members of the Aviation community for coming to Fort Rucker and working together as a team on issues that impact the future of the Branch. That future includes Army Aviation taking an "appetite suppressant," in light of the current economic situation.

"Realistically, with this Army of ours now moving from roughly 567,000 to 520,000, and possibly to 490,000 active (component) Army Soldiers, there are a whole lot of ideas that without resources are just a dream," the general said. "We need to actively drive Aviation requirements and capabilities and network integration. We need to do this while we think about resource constraints in an Army that's getting smaller in both manning and resources. We have to continue to build what we need for the Branch, and at the end of the day, we have to speak with one voice. I'm asking you to continue to do that as an enterprise."

For some issues, decisions that came out of the conference will go immediately into effect. Others will have to be studied and refined further, or will be presented to senior Army leadership, said Col. William McGarrity, HQDA, G3/5/7, DAMO-AV.

McGarrity closed the conference with thanks to Fort Rucker for hosting the event.

"I'd like to thank the Fort Rucker support personnel and the Fort Rucker command structure for allowing this conference to happen and for executing it in world-class fashion," he said.