MGBrattland Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S23 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone -------- Original message --------From: Sandy Clark <sandyclark@yahoo.com> Date: 5/18/26 4:46 PM (GMT-08:00) To: sandyclark@yahoo.com Subject: NHA Symposium 2026 / Community issues and renewed Trustee focus Dear Fellow Trustees:  Greetings from San Diego. With the 2026 NHA Symposium behind us, I’m gratified to report this was one of the most successful, well attended, content rich, and downright fun Symposiums I’ve experienced in recent memory.  After last year’s disappointed, if unavoidable, cancellation, pent-up demand was evident as we enjoyed heavier than normal attendance from all regions.  Notably, the number of Trustees attending (22) was larger than usual, adding to the success.  Thanks to all who attended.  The preparation, planning, and much hard work by Megan Buriak and her dedicated staff - Allyson Darroch, Haylee Sorenson and Ashley Crites - paid off as Registration was smooth, the pace of events was crisp, industry sponsorship was robust, and of course the IBar det Harrah’s was sensational.  Many thanks also to the plethora of active-duty volunteers who likewise performed flawlessly.  Symposium Highlights  - Something for everyone.·      Many content – rich panels (Commodore’s panel, Flag Panel, Captain’s of Industry,  Aircrew panels by community, JOPA prodev panels)...  We all learned a lot.·      Aircrew Challenge- As we with last Symposium, Harrah’s allowed us to use their pool and parking lots to conduct a tight competition featuring swimming, running, calisthenics, and the ever-popular Fire Truck pull.  Impressively, the Commodores even fielded a team to challenge their younger Rescue Swimmers.  They were awarded an “A” for effort...if not the winning honors!·      Informative Briefs.  HX-21/USNTPS; PERS 40, 43; NAVAIR PMA 299 (MH-60); Rotary Force Update; ·      Operational Year in Review.  Aircrews from recent Houthi dustups, Gulf of Aden Rescues, Maritime Interdiction / ship takedowns, and USCG Rescue ops in last summer’s Camp Mystic tragedy…all spoke about their real world experiences and eye- watering professional flying skills.Helicopter Community Major Command.CNO teed up a very sensitive issue just prior to Symposium that has created major heartburn in our community recentlly– namely preventing Naval Aviators from Commanding Amphibious Warships.  In his 24 April missive, CNO tied declining Amphibious ship readiness issues to the aviators who sometimes command those ships.  Notwithstanding the underlying readiness issue  - which may or may not be tied to the commanding officers (including Surface Commanding Officers of those same ships), commanding Amphibious Ships represents a principal path to Flag Rank for helicopter pilots.  Zeroing that opportunity could ruin the already diminished chances for high performing helicopter pilots to promote to Flag. Obviously, this was - and is - a hot topic of discussion.VADM Bayes, present at NHA, is now the Navy IG, and very senior helicopter community leader, has been assigned by CNO to be part of the Cross Functional Team to flesh out the details and make final policy recommendations.  That’s good news.Despite the perceived - potentially disastrous - consequences to helicopter community rising stars and their future careers, the jury is still out.  My take is that this will be a data driven – and hopefully not an emotional - solution.  Part of that data is that the Surface community itself losing major command opportunities with their Cruisers which, after 40 + years, are retiring.  A cynic might conclude that it’s not a stretch to surmise that this whole exercise was precipitated by lack of Surface Community Command opportunity, irrespective of any maintenance issues on Amphibs.   More to follow!Issues for TrusteesOver the past couple of years, NHA Trustees have ‘upped our game,’  in terms of manageable numbers and active participation.  We’ve had regular Quarterly Zoom/TEAMS calls while we’ve pared the numbers from 120 plus to about 75 thus far.  Much of that reduction has been through attrition (death) and some through non-participation, per NHA bylaws.  We are headed to an aggregate number of about 60 even with the recent addition of mostly active-duty Trustees who are closer to the issues that affect NHA and typically more participatory.That’s all goodness.   But, we can do more.Our next initiative is to take on some of the bigger issues affecting our community.   NHA is a powerful voice of our Naval Helicopter Community and we can say things and take a position that others, frankly, can’t.  It’s not enough to simply complain about the way things are or even ‘admire’ the problem, as we all tend to do.  As Trustees,  we’re both knowledgeable and positioned to effect a positive impact on the outcome in our favor.  So, discussing some of the pressing community issues will be an increased focus of our Quarterly calls in addition to any briefings that we have.  Here are a three such subjects where our views might have an impact: ·      Status of the follow-on aircraft to replace the MH-60.  We talk about it a lot, but what’s our community position (other than we need one)?  Is it another (Upgraded) MH-60?  Should we push harder for a Tilt Rotor?  Or, a mix of MH-60X’s and drones?  And how soon is soon enough?  In the words of one Trustee, “N-98 ...show us the money!”  Do we need to rattle the cages in USNI or the Trade Press?  Why or why not?·      What are the new additions in terms of tactical improvements to whatever machine comes next?  Better, longer range missiles?  Forward firing weapons?  Better acoustic and non-acoustic ASW equipment?  Better Comms?  The best solutions may come from within, not some unknown external source or Study.·      Status of the Amphib Command opportunity for Helicopter pilots.  NHA can keep the pressure on where needed.You get the picture.  As Trustees, we have a lot to contribute ...and we should.That’s all for today.  Stay tuned for the date of the next call and keep those cards and letters coming.Many thanks and all the best,  Sandy Clark208.651.7335