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Requesting Aviation Support

12th Aviation Battalion may, when requested and in appropriate situations, provide Army helicopters to support public events and military training. This support may include aviation support for military training as well as aircraft static displays, ceremonial flyovers, funeral flyovers at Arlington National Cemetery, and transportation for individuals authorized by DoD regulations. For the National Capital Region, the U.S. Army Military District of Washington processes all requests for Army aviation support. Approval and tasking authority is exercised according to the governing regulations and practices listed below.

12th Aviation Battalion is stationed at Davison Army Airfield on Fort Belvoir, VA. 12th Aviation Battalion missions are normally limited to within 100 miles of Fort Belvoir.

All Armed Forces units and equipment have specific military missions and training requirements. Aviation support will only be authorized when it is in the best interests of the Department of Defense and the Military Services and does not interfere with mission or training programs. This means, for example, that an operational contingency might arise that would preclude participation in an event even though previously approved, scheduled and tasked.

Detailed instructions on how to request MDW aviation are listed below. Click on the applicable category of to jump to that area:



Public Affairs Aviation Support

  • Aircraft static displays (public events, air shows, schools, etc.)
  • Aircraft flyovers (ceremonies, sporting events, air shows, etc.)

OFF POST EVENTS - Support for any Public Affairs event occurring at a civilian venue, not on a military installation, must first be approved by the Army Office of the Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA). The Commanding General, U.S. Army Military District of Washington must also authorize these missions. Timely submission of a request is critical. OCPA normally requires at least 90-days to process a flyover request (60 days for a static display) and an additional 14 days is required to have the request authorized by the CG, MDW and scheduled by 12th Aviation Battalion. To request off post support:

1. The event organizer/requester must complete a DD Form 2535 Request for Military Aerial Support. Detailed instructions are on page 4 of the form.

2. Submit the completed DD Form 2535 to the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for approval (not required for static displays). To locate nearest FSDO, visit FAA's website at http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/.

3. Make sure the form is completely filled out and then send it to usarmy.pentagon.hqda-ocpa.mbx.aviation-request@mail.mil with the date and location of the event in the subject line (i.e. Flyover Request – 10 Dec 2021 – North Tonawanda, New York)

Please do not mail or fax your completed DD Form 2535 as this will significantly increase processing time. If you need additional assistance, please call (703) 697 9603.

https://www.army.mil/outreach/request.html#aviation
https://www.army.mil/comrel/

4. Prepare and submit a MDW Air Mission Request (AMR) form as an attachment to  usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jfhq-ncr-pao-web-events-omb@mail.mil. The AMR can be submitted while OCPA is processing the DD Form 2535 but action to receive MDW authorization will not be taken until an OCPA approved copy of the DD Form 2535 is also received by MDW.

5. MDW will confirm receipt of the AMR form and coordinate with the listed AMR Point-of-Contact (POC) to facilitate remaining authorizations, approvals, and scheduling. The AMR POC will be contacted by the supporting 12th Aviation Battalion pilot about a week prior to the event to finalize mission details.

ON POST EVENTS - Support for any Public Affairs event on a military base or installation does not require Army Office of the Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA) approval. The Commanding General, U.S. Army Military District of Washington is the approval authority for on post flyover requests. The Commander, The Army Aviation Brigade, is the approval authority for on post static display requests. Normally a minimum of 14 days (30 days desired) is required to process a request. To request on post support:

1. Prepare and submit a MDW Air Mission Request (AMR) form as an attachment to  usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jfhq-ncr-pao-web-events-omb@mail.mil.

2. MDW will confirm receipt of the AMR form and coordinate with the listed AMR Point-of-Contact (POC) to facilitate remaining authorizations, approvals, and scheduling. The AMR POC will be contacted by the supporting 12th Aviation Battalion pilot about a week prior to the event to finalize mission details.

Funeral/Memorial Flyover Support

  • Funeral/Memorial Flyovers at Arlington National Cemetery
  • Funeral/Memorial Flyovers for Repatriated Remains at Arlington National Cemetery

All Funeral/Memorial Flyover requests must be coordinated through the Army Human Resources Command, Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Center (CMAOC) or a local Casualty Assistance Center (CAC) prior to being processed by MDW. Requests for Military Funeral Honors are usually made by the funeral director that is assisting the family of the deceased. The funeral director should make the request through the toll-free directory assistance number (1-800-626-3317) or the Casualty Assistance Center (CAC) in which the interment will be conducted.

The Casualty Assistance Officer should also be able to help the family of the deceased with the flyover request when coordinating for internment in Arlington National Cemetery. Flyover requests in honor of Repatriated Remains are processed through the CMAOC Past Conflict Repatriations Branch (PCRB). Both CMAOC and MDW have specific criteria (aviation service, etc.) for approving Funeral/Memorial Flyovers. To request a flyover:

1. Coordinate the request through the Casualty Assistance Officer, local Casualty Affairs Center, or the CMAOC at:

Army Human Resources Command
ATTN: AHRC-PDC-M
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332
Toll Free number: 1-800-626-3317
Phone numbers: (703) 325-7990 / 7991
DSN: 221-7990 / 7991
FAX: (703) 325-0134
E-mail:  cocopns@conus.army.mil and peddopn@conus.army.mil
Website: www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/CMAOC

2. CMAOC will approve the request if it determines that the funeral/memorial meets the required flyover eligibility criteria. After CMAOC approval of flyover eligibility has been made a MDW Funeral Flyover Request (FFR) form can be submitted to ncr.amr@jfhqncr.northcom.mil.

3. MDW will confirm receipt of the FFR form and coordinate with the listed FFR Point-of-Contact (POC) to facilitate remaining authorizations, approvals, and scheduling. The FFR POC will be contacted by the supporting 12th Aviation Battalion pilot about a week prior to the event to finalize mission details.

Transportation Support

  • Point-to-Point Transportation for General Officers/Flag Officers/Senior Executive Service
  • Point-to-Point Transportation for All Other Authorized Passengers

General Officers/Flag Officers/Senior Executive Service (GO/FO/SES) - Point-to-Point transportation for GO/FO/SES is provided under the Operation Support Airlift (OSA) program IAW AR 95-1. The GO/FO/SES's parent organization must submit an OSA request through its designated OSA Validator. The Executive Travel Office (ETO) processes most NCR OSA requests. MDW will receive approved OSA requests through the OSA system and will schedule the supporting OSA flight. Flight to or from a domicile is normally prohibited.

All Other Authorized Passengers - Point-to-Point transportation for other passengers authorized by DoD regulations is requested using a MDW Air Mission Request (AMR) form. Requests for point-to-point transportation must include a statement that a helicopter is either the most economical means of travel or that unique mission requirements (meeting schedules, landing areas, special cargo, etc.) justify the use of Army aviation. Flight to or from a domicile is normally prohibited. To request transportation support:

1. Prepare and submit a MDW Air Mission Request (AMR) form as an attachment to  usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jfhq-ncr-pao-web-events-omb@mail.mil.

2. MDW will confirm receipt of the AMR form and coordinate with the listed AMR POC to facilitate remaining authorizations, approvals, and scheduling. The AMR POC will be contacted by the supporting 12th Aviation Battalion pilot about a week prior to the flight to finalize mission details.

Operational Support

  • Air Movement of Military Personnel/Units for Training or Operations
  • Aviation participation in Military Training or Operations
  • Other valid missions that support DoD requirements (aerial reconnaissance, etc.)

Operational Support - Aviation support for military training, operations, or other valid DoD support missions is requested using a MDW Air Mission Request (AMR) form. Examples include air movement of MDW Soldiers during an off-post training event at Fort Walker, simulated air assault operations, practice external load operations, and transporting leaders to observe training from the air. To request operational support:

1. Prepare and submit a MDW Air Mission Request (AMR) form to usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jfhq-ncr-pao-web-events-omb@mail.mil as an attachment.

2. MDW will confirm receipt of the AMR form and coordinate with the listed AMR Point-of-Contact (POC) to facilitate remaining authorizations, approvals, and scheduling. The AMR POC will be contacted by the supporting 12th Aviation Battalion pilot about a week prior to the flight to finalize mission details.

Aviation Support Criteria

All requests for MDW Aviation Support will be evaluated to ensure the request:

  • Supports a valid mission requirement IAW AR 95-1
  • Can be accomplished IAW all applicable rules and regulations and within the capabilities of the supporting aircraft
  • Is authorized and approved by the appropriate authorities

Aviation Noise Concerns

Military aircraft comprise a small percentage of air traffic in the National Capital Region. Aircraft from the Army constitutes an even smaller percentage. In order to ensure complaints concerning aircraft noise are properly referred to the right entity, initial complaints should be referred to the FAA Complaint Portal to assist in determining the source of the complaint and, if applicable, referral to the appropriate military entity.

Forms and Links

Contacts

For additional information or assistance with aviation support requests:

  • E-mail the JTF-NCR/MDW Air Mission Request Team at ncr.amr@jfhqncr.northcom.mil
  • Call the JTF-NCR/MDW Aviation Planner at (202) 685-2811
  • Call the JTF-NCR/MDW Joint Operations Center at (202) 685-3747/2867
  • Call The Army Aviation Brigade Aviation Planner at (202) 685-2048
  • Contact 12th Aviation Battalion Flight Operations at (703) 806-7603