ARMY AVIATION MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS Aviation maintenance operations are vital to the sustainment of an aviation force. Aviation maintenance services must be coordinated from the customer or unit level up the chain of command to theater level. The relationship of aviation maintenance activities to other activities, such as supply, is interdependent. Readiness requires the proper mix of equipment at the right place and at the right time. Failure to keep equipment operational has the same effect as combat losses: both remove equipment from the hands of the user, which impacts on the outcome of the operation. Aviation maintenance and supply (both technical and unit supply) must work together to return the maximum amount of equipment to the using unit. Transportation--whether air or ground--must also be closely coordinated with aviation maintenance and supply support. Supply locations must be considered when planning aviation maintenance support sites. The transportation system, air and ground, is tasked to deliver repair parts, evacuate unserviceable materiel, deploy aviation maintenance units, recover downed aircraft, and sometimes to help move operational readiness float (ORF) items. Aviation maintenance support units have limited organic transportation capabilities; they rely on transportation support from other units. These requirements must be considered when allocating transportation assets and assigning priorities. AVIATION MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS Army aviation maintenance operations and assets are integral to echelon above corps (EAC), corps, and division aviation sustainment. The mission and focus of aviation maintenance units are oriented and functionally organized to provide aviation unit maintenance (AVUM) and aviation intermediate maintenance (AVIM) for the aviation force.
These platoons/companies are organic to aviation organizations at all levels. An AVIM company/ battalion from the division support command (DISCOM) provides AVIM for division-level aviation assets. AVIM for EAC and corps aviation assets is provided by the EAC and corps support command's aviation maintenance battalion (AMB). AVIATION UNIT MAINTENANCE Aviation unit maintenance (AVUM) functions are generally characterized as high frequency, "on-aircraft" maintenance tasks that generate minimal aircraft downtime. These functions are frequently limited by the amount and complexity of required ground support equipment, skills required to execute the repair, and sophistication of repair facilities. The goal, to provide maintenance support as far forward on the battlefield as possible, must be balanced by the need of the AVUM to maintain sufficient mobility to keep pace with the operating units it supports. DIVISIONAL MAINTENANCE COMPANY (AVIM) AVIM and backup AVUM support to divisional assigned aircraft. Aviation repair parts supply support to division aviation units, including aircraft armament, avionics, and aircraft survivability equipment. Repairable exchange support for selected parts to divisional AVUM units.
Normally located in the vicinity of the DISCOM area either at or adjacent to an instrumented landing facility, depending on METT-T. Support forward is normally provided by three forward support helicopter repair/ recovery teams. 100 percent mobility with the capability of transporting 50 percent of the unit in one lift, using its organic vehicles. Mobility is limited by the number of organic vehicles, the requirement to transport large quantities of Class IX, ASL, TMDE, and special tools. Much of this is stored in vans, crates, containers, shelters, or improved open storage areas. In addition, the unit has numerous airmobile shelters and containers and dozens of items of heavy, bulky ground support and materiel-handling equipment which must, for the most part, be moved by division or area transportation units. CORPS AMCO (AVIM) OPERATIONS AVIM and backup AVUM support to corps assigned aircraft. Aviation repair parts supply support to corps aviation units, including aircraft armament, aircraft survivability equipment, and avionics. Repairable exchange (RX) parts support for divisional AVIM units.
Four corps AMCOs are normally assigned to an aviation maintenance battalion (AVIM), which is organic to the corps support command. The employment of the companies is the same as for the division AMCO except: They are located in the vicinity of the corps support command (COSCOM) area. The company assists the corps and divisional operating units in preparing damaged and unserviceable aircraft for evacuation. 100 percent mobility with the capability of transporting 50 percent of the unit in one lift, using its organic vehicles. External transportation assets must be requested to move the remainder of the unit. CORPS HHD, AMB (AVIM) Provide AVIM support to corps aviation assets by commanding and controlling assigned or attached aviation companies (AVIM). The HHD is organic to the aviation battalion (AVIM) of the corps and assigned or normally attached to the HHC, corps support command, or corps support group.
Deployed in the corps support area, normally near the aviation brigade HHC and one or more of the subordinate AVIM companies. It provides command and control staff supervision of aviation and aviation-related repair activities. 100 percent mobility with the capability of transporting 50 percent of the unit in one lift using organic vehicles. ECHELONS ABOVE CORPS AMCO (AVIM) THEATER SUPPORT COMMAND (TSC) AVIM and backup AVUM support to EAC assigned aircraft. Aviation repair parts supply support to EAC aviation units including aircraft armament and avionics. Selected repair parts RX support for corps AVIM units. Provides AVIM overflow maintenance support to corps assigned or under the operational control of the theater to which assigned.
Two EAC AMCOs are assigned to an aviation maintenance battalion (AVIM), which is organic to a theater area support group of the TSC. The EAC AMCO is employed in the theater support area. 100 percent mobility with the capability of transporting 50 percent of its unit in one lift using organic vehicles. External transportation assets must be requested to move the remainder of the unit. ECHELONS ABOVE CORPS HHD, AMB (AVIM) (TSC) Provide command and control for assigned or attached aviation maintenance companies (AVIM). Organic to the EAC aviation maintenance battalion (AVIM) and assigned or normally attached to the HHC, theater area support group. EMPLOYMENT Employed in the theater support area. 100 percent mobile with the capability to transport 50 percent of the unit in one lift using organic vehicles.