Focus - Force of the Future NHA Symposium Returns with Bold Vision for Rotary Capabilities From Naval Aviation Enterprise Public Affairs
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he Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) completed its first in-person Symposium at the Viejas Resort, October 6-9, 2021, after pandemic precautions led the organization to cancel its symposium last year. The event, which included two full days of programming, centered on Naval Aviation’s bold vision for rotary wing aviation in the years ahead with the forward-looking theme, “Force of the Future.” The NHA Symposium featured leaders from around Naval Aviation providing information to the Naval Aviation corps and discussing the powerful capabilities required for the rotary wing community to maintain maritime superiority in the coming years. On October8, the second and final day of programming— seven leaders from units across the Fleet participated in the Commodore and Commander, Air Group (CAG) Panel. They discussed future changes to mission sets and capabilities in the rotary wing community, then answered questions from junior officers in the audience. “Small unit leadership is in our DNA,” said CAPT Brannon Bickel, Commodore, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Pacific. “We go out in detachments and carry out the full functions of a squadron. This expeditionary model that we operate in builds the small-unit leadership we need to carry out the missions of tomorrow.” Panel members spoke about new concepts and capabilities initiated at the squadron level to validate capabilities needed for the future fight. “We are out there on San Clemente Island flying to FARPs (forward arming and refueling points), testing concepts like forward V-22 refueling, and launching sonobuoys from Hueys,” said Bickel. “Those are some of the initiatives we are doing to prepare to operate in a contested, distributed environment.” The capstone event of the final day of programming was the Flag Panel moderated by retired RADM Daniel Fillion, the incoming National Chairman for the NHA. Panel participants included VADM Kenneth Whitesell, Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; VADM Jeffrey Hughes, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development, N7; RADM Scott Jones, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve / Deputy Commander, Naval Air Forces / Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; RADM Alvin Holsey, Commander, Navy Personnel Command/Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel;
Rotor Review #154 Fall '21
Commodore/CAG Panel
RADM Andrew Loiselle, Director, Air Warfare Division, N98; RADM Shoshana Chatfield, President, Naval War College; RADM John Gumbleton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget/Director, Fiscal Management Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; and RADM Max McCoy, Commander, Naval Aviation Warfare Development Center. The admirals each shared their visions for the future of Naval Aviation and their efforts to bring manned-unmanned teaming capabilities to the Fleet. “Make no mistake … this is a Navy fight,” said Whitesell. “It’s the great power competition. We are on a defined trajectory to use manned-unmanned teaming on our expeditionary platforms, LHA platforms and carrier platforms to win in a contested environment.” The admirals also discussed unmanned integration and programming, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in Naval Aviation, and joint service integration in Distributed Maritime Operations. Other events during the second day of programming included the Captains of Industry Panel, the Junior Officer Call with the Airboss with VADM Whitesell, also known as the Navy’s “Air Boss,” and a final reception to close the Symposium.
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