AAAA Aviation Center Chapter

Last Thursday at the US Army Fort Rucker & AVCOE NCOA Advanced Leaders Course, Class #26-004 graduation in The Army Aviation Museum, Sergeant Jacob D. Bunner was recognized with a Certificate of Achievement and a complimentary one year membership to his professional organization by SFC Joshua A. Layne, VP enlisted Affairs. SGT Bunner appeared before a most arduous and discriminatory committee of tried and proven Army Aviation Non-Commissioned Officers, who determined that Sergeant Jacob D. Bunner was tested and found worthy of special recognition as the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker Sergeant First Class William T. Butts Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Leadership Award. Congratulation and conitune leading from the front!

Last Monday we had the opportunity to follow our Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Aviation Center Chapter Senior Vice President, CW5(R) Sam Baker to the OPERATION 83 colored hat ceremony for IERW Class 26-018. The following was a few remarks that our SVP shared!

CW5(R) Baker said that he shined his old jump boots and super glued his Light Blue 1993 class hat the Sunday night prior while watching TWD for a very special opportunity to guest speak and be a legacy mentor for Initial Entry Rotary Wing for Light Blue Class #26-018. 54 new student pilots got to listen to the old gray beard for about 30 minutes on the importance of sticking together and making sure they all make it to graduation day. He shared that it was fun seeing that in the class was a SFC that he had writte a letter of recommendation for and another that was one of his CH47F crew chiefs from Fort Riley in 2015. He additionally stayed that it was a great day for the new class and gave them all congrats. Sam brought three veteran 250 coins of special recognition that students had to earn by answering questions posed by the gray beard. He could not leave the building without first asking a simple question! He asked them if they preferred the uniform they're wearing now versus the one he was wearing today and in 1993...........well....all hands came forward choosing the one piece! Imagine that and they seemed to like the idea of being able to wear class colored tshirts on a Fridays in uniform to compete against other classes as we did back in the day! Congrats Light Blue!

Friends and supporters of the Aviation Center that love to chase white balls on the Silver WIngs fairways, here is an opportunity to support the Fort Rucker and AVOCE BOSS program on July 17th at 9 am. So gather your crew and hit the links to support a great cause! The Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (B.O.S.S.) program is hosting a Golf Scramble, and you're invited to join in the fun. Assemble your four-person team for an exciting 18-hole tournament at the beautiful Silver Wings Golf Course.

This event is open to all players 18 years of age and older with a valid, scannable ID.

Event Details:
• Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM shotgun start
• Location: Silver Wings Golf Course, Bldg. 20067, Combat Rd.
• Format: 18-Hole, 4-Person Team Scramble
Registration & Fees:
• Cost: $60.00 per person
• How to Register: Register by July 15th using the B.O.S.S. Link
Tree QR code on the flyer or in person at Bldg. 5700, Ste 390.
• Same-Day Registration: Available from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM on the day of the event.

Space is limited, so don't wait to register!
Extras: Want an edge on the course? Putter Strings and Mulligans will be available for purchase to help your team's score! (Limit 1 putter string and 3 mulligans per player).

For more information, please contact the B.O.S.S. President, SSG Treusch, at 334-255-5455.

At the Home of Army Aviation, we are saddened to learn of the passing of an Army Aviation legend, retired Lt. Col. Bruce Crandall. The master Army aviator in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft led more than 900 combat missions during two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 14, 1965, flying his UH-1 Huey helicopter into intense enemy fire repeatedly, to deliver critical ammunition and evacuate wounded Soldiers. His 22 flights through relentless enemy fire saved countless lives and became one of the most outstanding acts of courage in Army aviation history.

During his career, Crandall was honored with many awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster; the Bronze Star Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Air Medal (24 awards); the Army Commendation Medal; the Purple Heart; the National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal (four campaigns); the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device; a Presidential Unit Citation; a Meritorious Unit Citation; the Master Army Aviator Badge; the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star (three awards) and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Retired Col. John D. Herren, who commanded Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, said: “These helicopter crews were our lifeline, as they brought battalion units into the LZ. They evacuated our wounded and brought in water and ammunition, despite intense enemy fire. I was an eyewitness to one of Crandall's flights. I was pinned down by intense enemy machine-gun and rifle fire that killed my radio operator and severely wounded the Co. D. commander, Capt. Ray Lefebvre. Crandall's helicopter landed and evacuated Lefebvre and others. The act of bravery was extraordinary and inspirational.”

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.

U.S. Army Aviation