Monday is never a good day to pass on good news.
Today was no different.
One US Army Aviator's take on the Briefing about the Future of Army Aviation.
Highlights from today's brief (note: SARCASM):
1. 13 down to 10 CABs in 4 years
2. OH-58 buddies, if you didn't know, you're out of a job. About 40% of you can go fly AH-64s, or go be UAV turd-er-operators, but you cannot under ANY circumstances fly UH-60s, we have too many pilots...
3. The army has the need for a light reconnaissance helicopter, but no $$ to procure a new one.
4. 58D Crew chiefs you are SOL, go do something else, oh yeah, and so are your MTPs and MEs.
5. They're nixing the TH-67s...so all those spoiled little WOJGYs at Rucker will now learn to fly in the LUH. Air conditioning? WHAAAAT??!!!
6. In the next four years the Aviation branch will be cutting 10,000 positions.
7. RLOs... well, nobody really cares about you.
Loosely translated it means Three less Combat Aviation Battalions.
OH-58 Kiowa Pilots face a bleak future.
Army Aviation is going to cut 10,000 Personnel.
Commissioned Officers are going to be really hurting for jobs.
Chinook and Blackhawk fleets are over manned.
Apaches and UAV fleets will take only about 60% of the soon to be unemployed Kiowa Pilots.
Tis not a good time to be an Army Helicopter Pilot if you want flying hours, promotion, or a pension.