From The Aviation Branch Chief

Today’s Aviation Heroes

The Legacy Lives On
By MG Virgil L. Packett II

T
his year’s AAAA Convention at
Georgia World Congress Center
marked another incredible suc-
cess with record attendance. On
behalf of all Aviation Soldiers, we
pass on our compliments and appreci-
ation to our association past president
retired BG Tom Konitzer, Executive
Director Bill Harris, and the entire
association team for their tremendous
effort and enthusiasm.
I also want to thank Tom and Judy

AAPI PHOTO BY RENE BIDEZ

Konitzer for their leadership during
the past two years and welcome Jim
and Marcy Snider as they strive to
lead the association to greater heights.
The entire convention was a fitting
tribute to celebrate 50 years of dedi-
cated support to the U.S. Army
Aviation Community and its Soldiers.
Special thanks as well to our distin-
guished guest speakers, panelists and
association members in attendance.
The convention gave us an oppor-
tunity to highlight the many ways that
“The Legacy Lives On” in Army
Aviation, while celebrating the fantas-
tic industry partnerships that are so
crucial to our success.
More importantly, it was also the
ideal setting to reflect on one thing
that has remained constant in this
extremely volatile, complex and
ambiguous world over the decades —
the incredible passion, energy and
tenacity of our Aviation Soldiers.
While simultaneously undergoing a
monumental transformation that
includes comprehensive reorganiza-
tion, restationing, Preset/Reset, and
modernization, your Aviation Branch
remains focused and on-target.
First and foremost, we are in the
people business—everything starts
with the Soldier.
With that in mind, we are staying
tied to the field, adapting organiza-
tions, integrating new aircraft, devel-
Following the presentation of this year’s “Aviation Heroes,” the AAAA audience gave a rous-
ing standing ovation to the seven honorees.
oping strategies, leveraging resources,
and exploring the possible.
With Soldiers like the ones that I
will describe shortly, along with the
modernization and fielding of several
new aircraft occurring, this is a great
time to be an Army Aviator and your
Branch Chief.
We also enjoy an unparalleled level
of teamwork, cooperation and syner-
gy between me, MG Jim Pillsbury,
MG Jim Myles, BG Steve Mundt and
Mr. Paul Bogosian.
Even though there are a number of
significant obstacles and challenges
that we are facing, the indomitable
spirit, strength of will, and settled pur-
pose of our Soldiers, families, leaders
and industry partners will clear the
path ahead.
Aviation Heroes
I would like to share several
vignettes presented during my open-
ing remarks on May 10 at the conven-
tion that capture the essence of our
Aviation Soldiers and highlight the
Warrior Ethos that exists in our
branch.
These Soldiers have displayed
courage and gallantry under hostile
fire, as well as the tenacity to continu-
ously get the tough jobs done, set the
example, mentor and develop, inno-
vate, and set themselves apart as great
role models.
Their stories warrant deeper study
and will provide you with significant
inspiration.
Establishing the Legacy
LTC (Ret.) Bruce Crandall
A true American hero and leg-
endary Army aviator, retired LTC
Bruce Crandall is the standard bearer
for courage, effective leadership,
devotion to Soldiers, and tactical and
technical proficiency.
On Nov. 14, 1965, Crandall distin-
guished himself by extraordinary
heroism in the Ia Drang Valley in
Vietnam and you are all familiar with

ARMY AVIATION 8 JUNE 30, 2007

 From The Aviation Branch Chief
ARMY GRAPHIC BY WAYNE POLLARD
Seven individuals were singled out as “Aviation Heroes” for recognition by the Aviation
Branch Chief during the 2007 AAAA Convention and included (l to r): retired LTC Bruce
Crandall, CW3 Lori Hill, SSG Andrew W. Quen, CW4 Matthew L. Brown, SSG Michael Holliday,
SGT Andres Colon and CW4 Robert C. Perantie.
the details of that day.
Even beyond that day though,
Crandall is a shining example of the
best that the officer corps has to offer.
A skilled aviator and selfless
leader, Crandall was the kind of leader
Soldiers wanted to be around—they
wanted to be in his unit. And through
it all, he has maintained an incredible
sense of humor and sharp wit.
I asked Bruce to participate on
stage because he truly represents the
incredible legacy of excellence, pas-
sion and tenacity of many generations
of our Aviation Soldiers.
SSG Michael J. Holliday
A battalion standardization instruc-
tor, master gunner and platoon
sergeant in 3rd Bn., 4th Avn. Regt., 4th
Cbt. Avn. Bde., SSG Michael Holliday
is a consummate professional.
From pre-deployment preparations,
to Hurricane Katrina support, to
Operation Iraqi Freedom and rede-
ployment, Holliday established one of
the best non-rated crewmember stan-
dardization programs in the Army.
His leadership, values and work
ethic were the foundation for 3-4th
Avn.’s successes during the train up
and subsequent deployment to OIF
05-07.
ARMY AVIATION
His focus on standards and unwa-
vering dedication led to the successful
and safe completion of over 200 air
assault and air movement missions
with conventional and special opera-
tions forces.
Concurrently, Holliday’s battalion
provided dedicated air support for
logistical and personnel movements
throughout the Multi-National
Division–Baghdad’s area of opera-
tions, moving in excess of 115,000
people and over 500,000 pounds of
cargo.
Holliday conducted countless eval-
uations and examinations, and
enforced strict standards of flight dis-
cipline that ultimately led the battal-
ion to complete over 21,500 combat
flight hours without a single Class A,
B or C accident or incident.
He also looked well beyond rede-
ployment and assessed the impacts of
personnel losses due to reassignments
and moves.
Holliday developed and imple-
mented a training plan that ultimately
qualified three additional standardiza-
tion instructors and six flight instruc-
tors. This phenomenal effort ensured
the battalion will remain filled well
into 2008.
A model NCO and great mentor,
10
Holliday embodies the best qualities
of the NCO Corps.
SSG Andrew W. Quen
A flight instructor and platoon
sergeant in 542nd Medical Company
(Air Ambulance), 6th Bn., 101st Avn.
Regt., SSG Andrew Quen supported
Multi-National Corps–Iraq (North) as
a flight medic.
Flying over 200 hours and trans-
porting over 80 urgent care patients,
he was the lead medic on the scene of
15 point of injury missions.
Quen recently finished second in
Fort Campbell’s Expert Field Medical
competition and represented the 101st
Abn. Div. at Fort Sam Houston in the
Army level Expert Field Medical
competition.
An accomplished leader, Quen rep-
resents professionalism, passion and
commitment, and the great contribu-
tion of our MEDEVAC units around
the world.
Army MEDEVAC achieves an
unprecedented 93 percent survivabili-
ty rate and it’s because of Soldiers and
leaders such as Quen.
SGT Andres Colon
A mission qualified MH-47 flight
engineer, SGT Andres Colon enlisted
less than 3 years ago in August 2004.
He has deployed five times in sup-
port of Operation Enduring Freedom
and has a total of 875 flight hours
(500 combat and 625 under NVG).
Colon was awarded the Distin-
guished Flying Cross for gallantry on
July 10, 2006 for extraordinary valor-
ous achievement during aerial flight
as part of a joint strike force in
Afghanistan.
This operation was conducted in an
extremely austere environment against
a well trained, highly motivated, com-
petently prepared and proficient
group of over 500 heavily armed and
battle hardened Taliban fighters.
As “41” (chalk 1) and “42”
(Colon’s aircraft and chalk 2) came
out of the landing zones, each
encountered heavy enemy fire from
all sides at distances less than 15
meters, instantly resulting in the shoot
down of 41. Colon performed all crew
duties and being the only gun on the
right side with ammo continued to
return fire.
JUNE 30, 2007
 from the location of the TIC, the
scout weapons team triggered a com-
plex attack on nearly 100 insurgents
with AK-47s, belt-fed machine-guns,
RPGs, a vehicle borne IED, and 10
confirmed IEDs established to attack
ground elements responding to an
anti-Iraqi force attack in Al
Muqdadiyah.
As the lead aircraft performed eva-
sive maneuvers to avoid enemy fire,
Hill fearlessly positioned her aircraft
to draw fire away from the lead air-
craft and also provided immediate
suppression while maneuvering to
AAPI PHOTO BY JAMES BULLINGER avoid rocket propelled grenades.
Hill’s aircraft received a hit which
caused both multi-functional displays
to go blank forcing her to fly the air-
craft on standby instruments.
After assessing the aircraft damage
and determining that she could contin-
ue to support the ground forces, Hill
maneuvered to the south to establish
communications with Rock 16, the
unit in contact with enemy forces.
Retired LTC Bruce Crandal, an American As the team arrived, the entire area
hero and legendary Vietnam era Army
erupted with machine-gun fire.
aviator, was recognized alongside six other
young aviation warriors for their service to With total disregard for her safety,
the Army and the nation on May 10. Hill again maneuvered her aircraft to
protect her lead and continued to
His superb airmanship, attention to engage the enemy with close combat
detail and aerial gunnery marksman- attacks from various directions, while
ship led to the emergency recovery of receiving heavy enemy fire.
all friendly forces from the objective On her third pass in support of
while under continuous enemy fire. Rock 16, Hill’s aircraft was hit by
The friendly forces that were extract- three additional rounds, one of which
ed, without a single casualty, included entered through her right heel and
the downed MH-47 aircrew and the exited above her ankle.
previously inserted ground force. Wounded and bleeding, Hill again
By announcing threats, he assisted assessed her aircraft’s condition, not-
evasive maneuvers to evade as many ing that she had lost hydraulic pres-
as six rocket propelled grenades fired sure and was losing transmission pres-
at the aircraft during exfiltration, sure, concluding that her aircraft was
while avoiding several small arms and no longer mechanically capable of
heavy machine-gun positions. supporting the engagement.
Colon embodies the Warrior Ethos Determined to save the aircraft and
and is living proof that Night Stalkers her copilot, Hill recovered to Forward
Don’t Quit! Operating Base Normandy approxi-
mately 10 kilometers away.
CW3 Lori L. Hill Despite her wound and the severe
An OH-58D pilot in command with damage to the helicopter, Hill safely
2nd Sqdn., 17th Cav. Regt., 101st performed an abbreviated run-on
CAB, CW3 Lori Hill heroically dis- landing without hydraulics to a 300-
tinguished herself by exceptionally foot refueling pad, saving the crew
valorous conduct in the face of the and aircraft.
enemy in Iraq. Hill’s bravery under fire and rapid
On March 21, 2006 at 0600 hours, assessment of the enemy situation
Hill was executing PIC duties in the which saved the lives of countless
trail OH-58D helicopter en-route to Al coalition forces, serves as a testament
Muqdadiyah city in support of a to her heroism.
troops-in-contact (TIC) call. A model Soldier and great mentor,
Approximately two kilometers Hill embodies the Warrior Ethos and

ARMY AVIATION 11 JUNE 30, 2007

 From The Aviation Branch Chief
all of the best qualities of the Warrant
Officer Corps.
CW4 Robert C. Perantie
Chief of the maintenance test flight
section in the 277th Avn. Support Bn.
(ASB), 10th Cbt. Avn. Bde., CW4
Robert Perantie was assigned to the
unit just five months prior to their
OEF deployment.
One of his prolific contributions to
the 277th ASB was the training and
development of the CH-47 phase
maintenance team.
Because the ASB had been recent-
ly activated and there had never been
Chinooks assigned to the 10th CAB,
the CH-47 phase maintenance team
was composed of almost entirely new
people with little or no maintenance
experience.
Perantie took it upon himself to
train, mentor and develop these
Soldiers daily.
Their first phase inspection was in
Afghanistan and the phase team leader
was a newly assigned specialist.
Ironically, this young specialist was
recently selected as a Cargo Heli-
copter User’s Conference “Super
Soldier Award Winner” for 2007.
Perantie performed over 200 main-
tenance test flights, all in a combat
environment. One particular mission
was a shining example of Perantie’s
impact.
A downed CH-47D required recov-
ery out of hostile territory in
Afghanistan. Perantie determined that
the C-box was beyond repair and
incapable of sustaining a one-time
evacuation flight.
Recovery was complicated by a
need to lift a 500 pound transmission
to the top of the aircraft with no avail-
able lifting devices.
Through his leadership, the DART
team was able to replace the C-box,
and Perantie completed the required
maintenance operational checks and
flew the aircraft under night vision
goggles back to Bagram Airfield.
Whether troubleshooting and test
flying CH-47 helicopters, teaching
and mentoring junior warrant offi-
cers, or developing junior aviation
Soldiers, Perantie consistently gives
100 percent and refuses to quit until
the mission is complete.
He is the consummate professional
ARMY AVIATION
that all commanders dream of having
and is a model for all Soldiers to
emulate.
CW4 Matthew L. Brown
CW4 Matt Brown is an AH-6 pilot-
in-command and flight lead with Co.
B, 1st Bn., 160th Special Operations
Avn. Regt. (Abn.), and is an excep-
tional aviation Soldier fully represent-
ing the ideal of selfless service.
On May 14, 2006 Brown had com-
pleted his mission for the day when
he was called to respond to troops in
contact.
Never questioning the mission nor
waiting for details, Brown and his
wingman launched their Little Birds
to help their comrades.
The two AH-6s entered the fray
directing effective fire on enemy
AAPI PHOTO BY RENE BIDEZ
forces despite receiving heavy
ground fire. In the course of the
engagement, Brown’s wingman and
best friend was shot down.
Brown could see the enemy
advancing toward the wreckage and
immediately engaged the hostile
force. He reported the situation to the SGT Andres Colon, left, is spotlighted and
tactical operations center and the honored on stage for his aviation service.
decision was made to insert a ground Colon followed SSG Andrew W. Quen, SSG
force near the wreckage with MH-60s Michael Holliday and retired LTC Bruce
to secure the site. Crandall to be recognized by MG Virgil L.
Brown, now flying a battle-dam- Packett II.
aged aircraft, escorted the MH-60s to
the site and provided covering fire for In recognition for his bravery
their insertion. under fire, Brown was awarded the
He stayed over the objective, Silver Star for his actions.
killing numerous enemy fighters,
until finally his aircraft had taken so Summary
much damage that it was no longer These Soldiers represent audacity,
airworthy, forcing him to land in the passion, determination and courage
target area near the ground force. and are vivid examples that “The
Brown was committed to reaching Legacy Lives On!”
the embattled ground force on the tar- This past year has been a great
get to render assistance despite the example of what we can accomplish
daunting enemy situation and great as a cohesive Aviation Team. And
risk to his own life. with a Branch full of Soldiers like the
His actions allowed the ground ones mentioned above, the sky truly
force to consolidate on the objective is the limit. We all look forward to
and establish defensive positions, the 2008 AAAA Convention in
while operating as the pilot of a lone Washington, D.C.
aircraft in a high threat area, ultimate- “Army Strong – Army Aviation
ly assuring the security and survival Strong!”
of the ground force. vv
His actions that day truly went MG Virgil L. Packett II is the Army
above and beyond the call of duty and Aviation branch chief and the com-
were inspirational to all who wit- manding general of the U.S. Army
nessed his bravery in the face of a Aviation Warfighting Center and Fort
very determined enemy. Rucker, Ala.
12 JUNE 30, 2007