FORT RUCKER, Ala.--Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates' visit here highlighted the need Army Aviation has for additional maintenance space, instructor-pilots and upgrades for students.
During a three-hour whirlwind tour of Fort Rucker Tuesday Gates observed the role Army Aviation plays in support of warfighters, by visiting Hanchey Army Heliport and Cairns Army Airfield.
Accompanied by Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) commander, and Maj. Gen. James O. Barclay III, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commander, Gates visited Helicopter Overwater Survival Training and Flight School XXI simulation training and spoke with instructor-pilots and Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) students.
"I had a very instructive 45 minutes or so with 11 instructor-pilots," Gates said at the end of his tour. "It's clear from their standpoint that there is a need for some further infrastructure improvements here at Fort Rucker. Classrooms (are) too crowded, (and there are) not enough. As the helicopters themselves become more high tech, the classrooms have not kept up with that, although I saw an amazing simulation facility here today. I've been told there is a need for more up-to-date maintenance facilities so I got a pretty good list of the wants."
Gates said he came here to see the training and "to also recognize the role that rotary lift plays in support (of) our warfighters."
He added that he would like to recognize the importance of this kind of warfighter support in the fiscal year 2010 budget and make such support allocations a permanent part of the Defense budget.
The Secretary said that for fiscal year 2010, he recommended that President Barack Obama add, "an additional $500 million to increase the throughput of pilots and maintenance crews for our helicopters for our rotary lift capability. That'll help us train more instructors, help with the infrastructure, probably get some additional airframes and at the end of the day, what's most important (is) get us more well trained pilots (who) can support our warfighters."
Gates thanked the local communities surrounding the installation for their support of the Soldiers and their Families.
"We are deeply indebted to the support that the communities provide for our men and women in uniform. They are the best in the world and we appreciate what you all do to help take care of them," he said.
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