The Mission
To provide the American public an opportunity to experience the rich heritage of Army Aviation by having an opportunity to participate in aerial flight in those legacy Army aircraft that served in combat flown by Army crews. To educate those who are unaware of the importance of Army Aviation and the role it played in armed conflicts and providing the troops with the support needed to achieve their mission and to ensure their survival on the battle field.
The Purpose
The Friends of Army Aviation has five primary purposes:
- Educate the American public to the contributions Army Aviation has provided to the battlefield.
- Support the families and friends of soldiers who have given the ultimate in support of freedom around the world.
- To inspire young people to consider aviation as a career and to honor those soldiers serving past and present.
- To maintain, restore and preserve authentic legacy Army aircraft used in combat operations and enable the general public the opportunity to ride in and experience the same sights and sounds as those of a combat veteran.
- Support Fort Rucker, The Home of Army Aviation, and the local Wiregrass communities with an outreach program. Those who desire to demonstrate their patriotism in support of the America servicemen and as a salute to their sacrifice and dedication to duty and country.
The Need
As time and distance accumulates, the legacy of the contributions of the American soldier fades into distant memory. The contributions made by these patriotic Americans should not be lost. The ability to keep the “Memory” alive is paramount in our mission, by preserving this rich history of Army Aviation and to provide the American citizen the opportunity to appreciate the contributions made by Army aircraft in support of the soldier so that the memory will live on.