'Squared Away' regiment rejoins TRADOC

By Jeremy WiseAugust 24, 2009

'Squared Away' regiment rejoins TRADOC
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala.--After serving six years under Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM), the 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment rejoined Training and Doctrine Command's (TRADOC) 110th Aviation Brigade. A transition ceremony held Aug. 13 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum marked the change.

Not much will change with the air traffic services (ATS) the "Squared Away" regiment provides.

"We talk a lot about seamless transitions in this Army of change, but this is probably one of the easier changes any unit has ever experienced," 110th Avn. Bde. Commander Col. Russ Stinger said. "As a part of ATSCOM, the 1st Bn., 11th Avn. Regt. has provided excellent support to flight training for our brigade for years."

In October 2003, the Army moved the unit from TRADOC to Forces Command, but the "Squared Away" regiment continued to provide air traffic services for Flight School XXI. Officials say the move back to TRADOC makes sense.

"The mission is to facilitate Flight School XXI and TRADOC missions. It kind of makes sense that they're tucked under the same brigade," ATSCOM Commander Col. Jon Goodsmith said. Stinger added the move is a "consolidation of resources."

Flight school students who use the 23 stagefields, Cairns Army Airfield, Hanchey Army Heliport, Lowe Army Heliport and Shell Army Heliport will not experience an alteration in services, 1st Bn., 11th Avn. Regt. Operations Officer Maj. Kevin Tyler said.

For the unit, little changes as well. Tyler said the unit will wear new patches, weekly staff meetings will be in a different building, the chain of command alters and reports will have different unit colors and formats.

ATSCOM, which provides Army air traffic services worldwide, will continue to conduct certifications, inspections and training for the "Squared Away" regiment despite the change, Goodsmith said.

"We're losing command and control, but we'll maintain a working relationship when it comes to ATS function," ATSCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Ronaldo Ronsairo said.

Goodsmith said the loss of ATSCOM's largest regiment will not hinder operations worldwide since the 1st Bn., 11th Avn. Regt. supports only flight school and National Guard air traffic services training.

"Squared Away" regiment Soldiers are embracing the change. "We're excited to make the transition. Col. Stinger is a fantastic commander, and I look forward to working with him," Tyler said.