With potential budget cuts for the military on the rise, Fort Rucker’s Deputy Commander Col. Douglas Gabram addressed Wiregrass leaders, Jan. 24, and assured them despite cuts, the post will continue to produce highly skilled combat aviators.
“I want to assure one thing you can always count on, is that we’re going to produce the most proficient and professional aviators right here at Fort Rucker,” he said. “That will not change. As change may be upon us, what is not going to change is what we do for the Army.”
During the Fort Rucker-Wiregrass Chapter of the Association of the United States Army’s annual kickoff breakfast at the Dothan Civic Center, Gabram said although there are several concerns with Army Aviation, the main focus will still continue to be the men and women in uniform.
“It’s all about them, what they’ve done and what they’re going to do for our nation,” he said.
Gabram said Army Aviation has been at war for more than 10 years supporting ground forces and will continue to provide the support.
“Army Aviation is heavily committed across the world specifically in Afghanistan,” he said. “Some may have forgotten about this, (but) they’re doing the heavy lifting and fighting for our brothers and sisters in combat. “
Gabram told everyone “let’s not forget what’s really going on,” and that is the sacrifices the men and women in the military make for our country every day.
“I carry with me 143 index cards,” he said. “Each card represents a soldier that we lost during my tour as chief of staff, 1st Cavalry Division. One hundred and forty-three soldiers’ memorials (and) ceremonies that I attended (where) we put these great Americans and our coalition brothers, Polish and French soldiers, on the back of C-17’s and C-130’s departing for Dover. So I take it very seriously.”
Gabram recalled a mission in Afghanistan where several American and Afghan soldiers were killed on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
“What’s burned in my memory forever is the scene of that memorial,” he said. “We stayed on the ground six days, fought off the enemy and recovered every piece off that Chinook…We recovered every piece of that aircraft, every piece of that soldier and we sent them home.”
At the end of the memorial, Gabram said an Afghan colonel approached him and told him, “the sacrifice is too great,” and that he wants the fight to be worth it.
“I share that with you because we have a mission to do over there,” Gabram said. “We do what soldiers are told to do, but the Afghans are trying to stand on their feet. History will write the book and say if it’s worth it or not.”
Gabram said he spent a lot time with Afghan officials who want to help their country.
“They want to do what’s right. We just need to help them,” he said. “So that day when that Afghan colonel said, ‘I want to make this worth it. We’re going to get this right,’ I’ve got to believe in that.”
Looking into the future, Gabram told attendees the Army is implementing a concept called “manned-unmanned teaming.”
“The combination of using the (unmanned aerial vehicles) and our helicopters is really proving to be a lethal weapon on the battlefield and one advantage to give our soldiers what they really need to close with (or) destroy the enemy.”
Gabram thanked the community and members of AUSA for their continuous support of the military.
The Fort Rucker-Wiregrass Chapter of AUSA also honored the seven winners of the 2012 AUSA scholarship awards during the breakfast.
Four of the $1,000 scholarship recipients are from the Wiregrass.
Those recipients are Leonardo Gonzalez, of New Brockton; Ashlee Walton, of Enterprise; and Sarah Stidley and Kelly Zizelman, of Fort Rucker.
Rules of Conduct
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Current users sign in here.
Register