FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Gen. John M. Murray, Army Futures Command (AFC) Commanding General, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Crosby of the AFC toured the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) during their visit to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) at Fort Rucker, Alabama, on March 9.

As part of AFC under the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), USAARL merges the sciences of aviation and medicine to optimize human protection and performance.

The facility, in partnership with the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), the Futures and Concepts Center, and other military, industry, and academic organizations, conducts research that provides Army product recipients with data-driven information and solutions that inform policy and decision making, and ensure the development of technologies that maintain optimal Aviator and Soldier performance against near-peer threats and ensure survivability.

A key highlight of Murray's visit were the various research capability demonstrations delivered by USAARL scientists and engineers. Topics included USAARL's efforts to evaluate the multiple causes of excessive workload, protecting future vertical lift (FVL) occupants, and safely transporting casualties. These topics underlie USAARL's focus of enabling the performance of the impacted human in an abnormal environment.

Dr. V. Carol Chancey, a Research Group Director at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, tells Gen. John. M. Murray, commanding general of Army Futures Command, about the Laboratory's occupant protection research. (Photo credit: Scott Childress, USAARL)

"Gen. Murray's visit was a great opportunity for us to highlight our capabilities and our unique synchronization across the Army aviation and medical enterprises," said Col. Mark K. McPherson, commander of USAARL. "We demonstrated for Gen. Murray our suite of flight simulators; told him about our head, neck, and spine research capabilities; and even gave him the first-hand experience of performing a hoist operation in virtual reality."

During his visit to the USAACE, Murray delivered a Town Hall presentation to the employees of all AFC organizations, including USAARL. Murray encouraged the workforce to remain focused on Soldier care and to further carve out time to contemplate the decisions that need to be made for the Army's future generations to deliver decisive overmatch on the battlefield. Said Murray, "[there is] no higher calling than the mission we've been given."

At the conclusion of the Town Hall, several USAARL employees were acknowledged for their enduring service to the U.S. Army. Individuals recognized by Gen. Murray included Dr. V. Carol Chancey (15 years of service), Lois Lunsford (30 years), Elizabeth Stokes (40 years), Spec. promotable Jordayne Wilkins (Commander's Challenge Coin), and Sgt. Jonathan Calderon (Commander's Challenge Coin).