FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (EAATS) dedicated its new Aviation Maintenance Instructional Building (AMIB) here Nov. 13 in a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The AMIB replaces a smaller, outdated facility used to train CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter aviation mechanics and features functioning, full-size, non-flyable training airframes and components for a realistic training environment, along with administrative and classroom space.
Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, called the AMIB a force multiplier for U.S. Army aviation, whose pilots and maintainers are essential in every combat, humanitarian and training mission throughout the world, as clearly demonstrated by the Pennsylvania National Guard response to recent hurricanes in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The AMIB received funding in 2013 and began construction in 2014. The $34 million facility is the largest military construction project in Pennsylvania National Guard history.
“Today, without a doubt, the Eastern AATS is the premier reserve component aviation training facility in the United States and the right choice to handle the training expansion this building provides,” said Lt. Col. Todd Tuttle, the EAATS commander.
With the AMIB completed, the EAATS will be able to fully utilize Hardware Maintenance Trainers (HMT) and state-of-the-art classrooms to meet the current and future growth of the enlisted maintenance training program. This building allows the EAATS to consolidate UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook enlisted maintenance training under one roof, providing greater efficiencies throughout the program.
“Because of the mission, the work, the effort and the willingness of those here and around the globe to perform their duty, America is a safer, more secure place,” said Tuttle.
Since its inception in August 1981, the EAATS has met the challenge of conducting aviation training to complement the combined arms team.
The EAATS, with its focus on utility and cargo aircraft, trains approximately 1,000 Soldiers annually from the active duty U.S. Army, the National Guard, the Reserves and international students.
Date Taken: | 11.13.2017 |
Date Posted: | 11.13.2017 16:18 |
Story ID: | 255201 |
Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
Web Views: | 638 |
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