Army aviation’s premier association tells members it is “absolutely going forward” with its annual professional forum, despite budget woes causing the Army to be unable to provide funds for soldiers to travel to the event.
The Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) said in a letter to members it heard from the Army Training and Doctrine Command in mid-February that “due to the 1 March Sequestration deadline, they cannot support a request for (temporary duty) TDY funds for soldiers to travel outside their local areas.”
The association said the statement’s language indicated the position could change, depending on future conditions.
However, the association said there will be a NATO conference at the same time in the same venue, and those attendees will attend the AAAA forum, speak on panels and visit the exhibit floor.
This year, the annual forum is in Fort Worth, Texas April 10-13, and there are “hundreds” of contracted industry exhibitors and “thousands” of preregistered attendees.
Should association members take time off to attend the forum and bring families, the letter provides a website for cultural and fun attractions in the area: www.fortworth.com/aaaa. It will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Army aviation branch.
AAAA plans to fly in soldiers who will be winning awards, such as active, reserve and National Guard units of the year, and the soldier, NCO, aviator, and crew chief of the year. The AAAA president’s award will go to retired Army Gen. Butch Saint.
AAAA said it will get through this challenge as it has others, the letter to members said.