SAN DIEGO – Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit North Island (CNATTU NI) staff recently hosted an educational open house experience for eight senior civilian educators from the Midwestern United States to showcase its cutting-edge training capabilities.

CNATTU NI Commanding Officer Cmdr. Michael Feldhues welcomed the visitors and began the tour of its facilities which started with a presentation from Fleet Learning Standards Management Officer Margurite Lozada.  A retired Navy veteran herself with over 20 years of educational experience, Lozada provided the educators insight into how the command manages 105 aviation maintenance and administrative related courses offered by CNATTU NI’s learning sites.

The teachers were then shown two hands-on helicopter trainers used to provide real-world experience to those in the aviation ordnanceman rating.  Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Joshua Joyner showcased the MH-60S trainer, explaining how the versatile platform has numerous close air support weapon capabilities such as the 20MM M-197 triple-barrel Gatling gun to the laser guided AGM-114 Hellfire missile.  The teachers were in a state of awe as they saw the M-197 that was mounted to the MH-60S trainer; eyes widened even further when shown the inert 20mm ammunition used to train students on how to load, unload and troubleshoot the M-197.

CNATTU NI’s visitors were then moved over to the MH-60R hands-on ordnance trainer where students and instructors were concluding a laboratory lesson performing torpedo release and control checks.  Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Kyle Webster, one of the labs instructors, detailed some of the war fighting abilities of the MH-60R platform to the visitors.  He then detailed how the interactive trainer is used to teach students how to read maintenance publications and perform the loading and unloading of ordnance safely while in a training environment.
   
Aviation Electronics Technician First Class Kaylyn Brest concluded the tour with a presentation of the MH-60R hands-on trainer avionics trainer.  The guests were surprised to hear that the state-of-the-art trainer could be programmed to provide real-world troubleshooting scenarios, allowing students situations where they could apply critical thinking of the classroom lessons.  Throughout the presentation, the visitors were given the opportunity to sit in the pilot seats of the trainer to check out the flight station systems and for a unique photo opportunity.

Among the guests visiting was Dr. Mike Irvin, principal of Webster Grove High School in Webster Grove, Missouri.
 
When asked about the benefits of these kinds of educational partnerships with high schools around the nation, Irvin said, “These trips provide important insight into closing the learning gaps in our system. It’s apparent the Navy is looking for well-rounded sailors, and these type of trips provide valuable opportunities that we can bring back to our school to help our students prepare for their next steps in life, ensuring they are prepared if they decide to enlist in the Navy.”

With the tour coming to a close, Feldhues and Aviation Support Equipment Technician Master Chief Theo Iman, CNATTU NI’s senior enlisted leader, thanked each of the esteemed guests on the Command’s quarterdeck as they departed.