WAATS showcases aviation training, LSCO readiness during CNGB visit

Official Statements

• Arizona National Guard Public Affairs, November 13: “WAATS showcases modern aviation training, LSCO readiness during CNGB visit MARANA, Ariz.- Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited the Western Army National Guard Aviation Training Site on Oct. 28, where he met with Soldiers and observed aviation maintenance and simulation training. The visit came days after the site marked its 40th anniversary. WAATS provides aviation qualification and maintenance instruction for Army active-duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel, as well as international military partners.”

• Arizona National Guard Public Affairs, November 13: “During the visit, Nordhaus toured maintenance-training areas and spoke with instructors, staff, and students. Soldiers demonstrated inspection and repair procedures on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The Black Hawk supports missions including combat assault, medical evacuation and domestic emergency response. National Guard aviation units also use aircraft in search-and-rescue operations, wildfire response and other state missions. WAATS leaders also demonstrated the UH-72 Virtual Maintenance Trainer, a computer-based system that allows students to practice diagnosing avionics and mechanical system issues in a digital environment.”

• Arizona National Guard Public Affairs, November 13: “The training combines classroom instruction, hands-on maintenance and simulation-based practice. Site leaders said the approach allows maintainers to develop critical skills while limiting aircraft use for some instructional tasks.”

• Arizona National Guard Public Affairs, November 13: “The visit highlighted the site’s role in preparing aviation personnel for large-scale combat operations and domestic-response missions. Training U.S. personnel alongside international military students also supports interoperability with partner forces. As the Army sharpens its focus on LSCO against peer and near-peer adversaries, the capacity to rapidly qualify and integrate aviators and technicians across all three Army components and allied nations remains an operational advantage.”