From the Editor-in-Chief

Past Informs the Present

By LT Annie "Frizzle" Cutchen, USN

Esteemed Readership,

“Past Informs the Present” resonates deeply with me because my very decision to pursue this line of work was heavily influenced by those who came before me. Not only do I have the honor of being the third generation Navy pilot in my family, but with that came heaps of mentorship from family and friends of the family alike including one RADM KJ Norton, USN (Ret.). I sport his old Combat Search and Rescue patch to this day. You’ll see his name appear again in a few pages as the author of our “On Leadership” column.

RADM Norton is one of those exceptional rotary wing pilots whom RDML Fillion references in his piece. These helicopter pilots broke through artificial barriers that had existed in the naval helicopter community. We are grateful for those visionary and steadfast helicopter aviators who paved the way for us current helicopter pilots.

As important as remembering our roots and those who came before us is remembering that we are that previous generation for our successors in the community. How do we ensure our actions make everything we touch better? How do we aid the next generation in breaking through any glass ceilings it encounters? The best we can do is strive every day to honor the lessons learned of our predecessors and continue to add to this rock solid foundation they have set.

RADM Norton writes about his divisional LPO and the influence that AO1 had on his outlook. We must remember that lessons learned can come from any level of the Navy organization.

Our hope is that this issue has set the scene for Gulf Coast Fleet Fly-In. Gulf Coast Fleet Fly-In is aptly themed “Next Gen” and presents a unique opportunity to showcase how incredible this Naval Helicopter Community is and start making connections with that next generation. I look forward to you in South Whiting!

Happy reading!

V/r,

LT Annie “Frizzle” Cutchen

From left to right: LT Annie “Frizzle” Cutchen, LT Max Cutchen (brother), RADM Bryan “Clutch” Cutchen, USN (Ret.) (father), CDR Paul Cutchen, USN (Ret.) (grandfather)”

Letters to the Editors

It is always great to hear from our membership! We need your input to ensure that Rotor Review keeps you informed, connected and entertained. We maintain many open channels to contact the magazine staff for feedback, suggestions, praise, complaints or publishing corrections. Please advise us if you do not wish to have your input published in the magazine. Your anonymity will be respected. Post comments on the NHA Facebook Page or send an email to the Editor-in-Chief. Her email is annie.l.cutchen.mil@us.navy.mil, or to the Managing Editor at rotorreview@navalhelicopterassn.org. You can use snail mail too. Rotor Review’s mailing address is: Letters to the Editor, c/o Naval Helicopter Association, Inc., P.O. Box 180578, Coronado, CA 92178-0578.

RADIO CHECK Tell Us What You Think!

The theme of upcoming issue #159 is “Mastering the Machine.”

Tactics, techniques, procedures, and technology have all developed immensely since the beginning of rotary wing aviation. We develop with the times, technological advancements, and to the adversary we are facing to name a few contributing factors. What groundbreaking advancements have you seen in your time? How have you seen mission sets develop over the course of your career? Where do you see room for improvement in how we operate today?

We want to hear from you! Please send your responses to the Rotor Review Editor-in-Chief at the email address listed below.

LT Annie “Frizzle” Cutchen Editor-in-Chief, Rotor Review annie.cutchen@gmail.com

Articles and news items are welcomed from NHA’s general membership and corporate associates. Articles should be of general interest to the readership and geared toward current Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard affairs, technical advances in the rotary wing / tilt rotor industry or of historical interest. Humorous articles are encouraged. Rotor Review and Website Submission Guidelines

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