3 minute read
Chairman’s Brief
Italian Racing and Symposium 2022
By RADM D.H. “Dano” Fillion, USN (Ret.)
NHA Symposium 2022 was like no other in the history of NHA. VCNO 1v1 with JOs and 04s, nobody else, and folks spoke their minds and the organization is better for that event! Keynote speaker, Navy Spouse of a Navy Seal, and two ladies discussing family planning options for married and single members of the rotary wing aviation team, topics that have never been addressed at Symposium. Navy spouses of retired senior leaders and folks who did their time and left the service, and all became extremely successful entrepreneurs; first ever for NHA. Suffice it to say that with the exception of three events, all the events at Symposium were first of a kind!! You, the membership, and our industry partners are why there were so many "First-Evers," because you gave us the pros and the cons of previous symposiums, and we listened and adjusted accordingly. We received much feedback during the event. When I asked folks what they liked/disliked, they gave me feedback; plenty of it and I truly appreciate it and I promise the organization is listening. Callsign “SLAM” gave me an earful at Top Golf, and it was very objective, professional and will benefit the organization! Thanks to all who made this event happen (CAPT Jim “Super-G” Gillcrist has listed virtually everyone who made Symposium a success) so I just want to recognize all the spouses who supported their favorite NHA member attending and call out CAPT "SteveO" Thomas and CDR Emily “ABE” Stellpflug; these two LEADERS shouldered darn near all the heavy lifting for the event. Young warriors from multiple AW shops, ready rooms and the hangar bay were the energy bombs throughout the event. The real veterans of all things NHA Symposium are the ladies and gentlemen at NHA Headquarters on North Island; their guidance is always instrumental in the organization’s success!
So, as we look at rotary wing aviation through an optic of “Lethality through Learning, I am confident we can reflect on topics from Symposium 22 that educated all of us and therefore I will argue, if need be, are making all of you frontline fighters better!!” Thank you for all the feedback and I truly mean it, we are your organization!
So, why the “Italian racing” wording in the article title….well some of you have heard this before ;
After Action Reports for Symposium 2022 are complete and now we (your organization) are laser spot on Gulf Coast Fleet Fly-In 2022 and NHA Symposium 2023!
The pilot receiving his wings is LTJG Guillen, USN, who will be joining the Airwolves of HSM-40 in Jacksonville, Florida to fly the MH-60R. Presenting his wings are CAPT Laguens, USN, Commodore, HSMWL and CAPT Justin Banz, CO of HSM-40 along with RADM Dan Fillion, USN (Ret.).
We will make you proud and please keep the feedback coming!!! (I wonder if “SLAM” will call me?)
As always, I am, V/r and CNJI (Committed Not Just Involved), Dano
