Representatives Critz and Brooks Announce New Army Aviation Caucus

Press Release

Representative Mark Critz (PA-12) and Representative Mo Brooks (AL-05) today announced the creation of the bipartisan Congressional Army Aviation Caucus (AAC). Brooks and Critz serve as co-chairmen of the Army Aviation Caucus, which will provide a forum among members of Congress, staff, and the Army to improve communication and support for Army Aviation.

"The Army Aviation Caucus is an opportunity for representatives from all the communities involved with Army Aviation to work toward common goals," said Rep. Brooks, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is a member of the Strategic Forces and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees. "The main goal of the Caucus is to ensure that Congress stays focused on the tasks at hand regarding military assets, and to make certain that those assets are reset when they return from the field. Additionally, we need to continue funding for the new armed scout helicopter, and carry on funding the modernization of our fleet and the Joint Multi-Role helicopter."

"I am pleased and excited to co-chair the newly established Army Aviation Caucus," said Rep. Critz, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and Subcommittees on Tactical Air and Land Forces, and Seapower and Projection Forces. "Army Aviation has experienced great success against our nation's adversaries over the last decade. However, this success has come at the high cost of increased maintenance burdens, excessive flight hour accumulation, and deferred fleet modernization. This Caucus is necessary and long overdue in providing a forum to highlight the great achievements and future challenges of Army Aviation."

Critz continued, "This Caucus has brought together a world-class team of political, military, and educational partners to discuss and advance policies to ensure that unmatched Army Air Power and Military Vertical Lift is passed on to the next generation of soldier."

Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, stated, "The war in Afghanistan has demonstrated just how critical Army Aviation is to our warfighters. I applaud Congressmen Brooks and Critz for taking the initiative to educate the American people and our fellow members of Congress on this indispensable capability."

Upcoming work for the Army Aviation Caucus includes Member and staff briefings with key Army Aviation offices to learn about their capabilities and needs. The Caucus is comprised of more than 20 members from both parties. Rep. Brooks observed, "From Members of Congress and their staff to the Army, we have an opportunity to make sure we meet the needs of the Army Aviation community. Rep. Critz and I look forward to working with our colleagues to ensure that this special area of our Armed Forces receives the support it needs."

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