NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. – Cmdr. Ellie Hurst, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Norfolk commanding officer, opened the doors of CNATTU Norfolk to neighboring Helicopter Sea Combat and Airborne Command and Control and Logistics Wing squadrons in August.

In coordination with the wing maintenance officers (MO), an opportunity was created for the squadron leadership, ground officers, and any interested MO’s and pilot/naval flight officer division officers to tour CNATTU Norfolk facilities and training assets. 

Hurst started the tour by providing an overview presentation of all the type/model/series, aviation ordnance, shipboard, special operations parachute rigging, and aviation maintenance and administration courses offered by CNATTU Norfolk and its learning site in Ft. Lee, Virginia.
 
Following that, walking tours were conducted by Lt. Willie Duncan, CNATTU Norfolk training officer. The walking tours showcased the vast number of hands-on trainers available to students to build skillsets needed in the squadrons.  These trainers are available not only to students in the school house, but also to squadron personnel who need refresher training to review specialized technical aspects of their skills in the fleet for MH-60S, E-2C/D, and C-2A aircraft.

Overall this was an excellent opportunity to build knowledge of what CNATTU Norfolk offers to support the maintenance effort on the flight line and waterfront as well as providing training to ground officers in the Norfolk area.

Lt. Cmdr. Carl Vick, assistant maintenance officer (AMO) for Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, took advantage of the opportunity that Hurst and her team provided.

“My responsibility as an AMO is to ensure that the Sailors assigned to the Command have requisite formal training to perform their job,” Vick said.  ‘I could not pass up the opportunity to see first-hand, the valuable services that CNATTU Norfolk provides the junior and senior Sailors of the flight line and more importantly, the Fleet.”

Vick said he came away with some valuable information about the CNATTU Norfolk mission.

“I have a greater admiration for the instructors’ desire and eagerness to train,” Vick added.  “The school house gave us numerous examples of the utilization of their instructor’s knowledge and services, offering us an open-door invitation to coordinate on demand in-rate training within a controlled environment to build upon or refresh the Sailor’s knowledge.”