Aircrew Badge

[gixxer]

What's your opinion of the renaming of the Aircrew wings to the Aviation Badge and authorizing Avn Ops/ATC personnel, that never log flight time, to wear them...even with retroactive Senior and Master wings?

Personally, I think it is BS...

[Admin]

I think it would be okay, but with a slight modification. ;D

[pachyderm108]

With a slight modification....Bruahahahahahahaha! Oh man that was rich. And I couldn't agree more.

First ask the Airborne if someone could wear wings if they didn't jump.

Next question: How do I upgrade my information on here? What does the "blood wings" mean?

[Admin]

"Blood Wings" will be any member of the board with less than 50 posts.

The more posts you make, puts you on another level.

[DarkhorseRVN]

I'm against it!!
I first knew about this when the neighbors kid came home from Ft Eustis a few years back. Fresh out of Blackhawk CE school and was wearing wings. Had never flown. Kinda pissed me off.
Yeah, he's earned 'em now after crewing w/ the BRO in Bosnia and Germany. Also w/ the 4th ID in Iraq.
NOPE, I don't think they've earned them if they ain't flying.
Then again, I was one of those against the Army taking the LRRP's Black Beret for all soldiers and changing the LRP/Ranger's to Tan.
But what do I know. I wore a Stetson before they were authorized........
Dave Fesmire
[e-mail]

[DustoffALSE]

Personally, I think that they should be issued the Chairborne device. I earned my Senior Aircrewmember, Parachutist, and Air Assault Badges the old fashioned way!

[Muleskinner]

Yes, I think it 'bites the big one' myself. The Aircrew badge (what I call it) has always been demeaned and cheapened by the reg's. I agree that they should be earned by flying, 'PERIOD'. Another thing, related, is that in the Navy-Marines, Air Force they award a distinctive Aircrew Badge for flying in combat and I always thought we took a back seat to them in this regard. I think the Aircrew Badge should be 'tiered' like the C.I.B. One earned by virtue of combat and one earned like the E.I.B., by testing. I thought the Air Assault Badge might eventually rectify this, but...
If Army Aviation could ever get as organized as the other branches, especially 'Infantry', and put thier considerable weight behind the issue perhaps something could be done. Example(s) For combat Aircrew; A 'Gold Aircrew Badge', 'Gold Air Assault Badge', or a 'Gold Star' on top of either regular badge.
BUT, kinda like "Darkhorse" Dave said; Who gives a big horse apple what I say.

[idahoapache]

Just to rub some more salt in the wound--
Now they are going to give the UAV operators wings.

[kuzindwight77]

Forget the wings.

UAS operators (UAV term has gone away in the Army) are authorized DFC's and AM, including with "V" device.

The I-GNAT, Hunter, and Predator are being operated in many cases by guys stateside via satellite link.

The Shadow guys generally operate from a FOB.

The Raven is an Army cook (multiple MOSs but usually guys units could afford to send away) that goes to a two week course at Red Stone. I will give them credit that they are in Indian country when they are operating the system.

The Army extended the awards to the UAS guys because the USAF did the same. At least in the USAF the pilots actually are pilots who have gone through flight training.

[just another 58 crewchief]

I am proud as hell to be wearing my Aircraft Crewman Badge, even though i do not fly. the pilots are flying "my" aircraft when they borrow her. I know I am just a little outnumbered here being a Kiowa crew-chief and all. but anyone who works as close as we do with the pilots and keep them coming back because of our hard work deserves the wings.

just my thought

[me]

'your' aircraft....OK. you signed for that aircraft?

[chinookfe]

Sept 11, 2007 10:21:32 GMT -6 @kuzindwight77 said:

Forget the wings.

UAS operators (UAV term has gone away in the Army) are authorized DFC's and AM, including with "V" device.

In fairness, if you really read the regulation on this, they cannot be awarded a DFC w/ or w/o a "V' for actions performed while operating the UAS, but if they were, say in the jump seat on a 47, and plugged in( a member of the crew at that point) while they landed to extract a downed 64 pilot ( or something similar that may warrant a DFC w/ V) then they could be awarded it.


All that being said I agree with the general consensus that the aircrew wings should only be awarded to those performing duties that require regular aerial flight, but I am not against having another badge for other members of the aviation community.

[guest dave]

I served in vietnam from june70 to jan 72 as a crew chief on oh-58s and uh-1d/h. i think anyone that supported in an air unit should be recognized. i also agree with a previous guest that stated the recognition should be distinct as to the type of support. i flew all over the country in combat and supply missions and i still say the pfc clerk in our flight office had the toughest job. 12 months in the same windowless room 10-14 hr days with every non com and reg officer badgering him daily. we all had our hell to pay so dont think you are something special because you fly. for me it was and always will be a blessing.GBUSA

[armamentdawg]

I may not fly with my aircraft, but I am an aircrewman, I am a maintainer, and with out me, that bird doesnt leave the ground. Not only have i fixed aircraft, I have recovered them. I think I have earned the right to wear my wings. I have proudly worn my wings for 10 years, and will continue to do so

[Corey]

Nov 29, 2004 5:50:56 GMT -6 pachyderm108 said:

With a slight modification....Bruahahahahahahaha! Oh man that was rich. And I couldn't agree more.

First ask the Airborne if someone could wear wings if they didn't jump.

Next question: How do I upgrade my information on here? What does the "blood wings" mean?

Blood wings is when you get the wings punched without dampiner on the back and the pins puncture the skin causing you to bleed. The wings earned as a crew member are different from pilot wings, airborne wines and air assault wings.