NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md.—The Marine Corps Aviation Training Systems site (MATSS) opens its doors at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe Bay this month.

The initial activation of MATSS Kaneohe Bay occurred last year; however, the team had been operating out of borrowed Marine Air Group (MAG) 24 spaces until now. With the new facility, MATSS can support the MAG and Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) by providing a comprehensive alignment of aviation training through state-of-the-art technologies and advanced, highly realistic simulators.

“The MATSS brings a centralized training place to all Marine aircrew, maintainers, air controllers and aviation support,” said Capt. John Feeney, Naval Aviation Training Systems (PMA-205) program manager. “The next step is to outfit the facility with standardized courseware, computer-based training and simulators that will support their mission.”

MATSS acts as a training conduit between Headquarters Marine Corps and the fleet by developing and maintaining a fully integrated training system across all of Marine aviation. Training is conducted via courseware, simulation or live training, using training and readiness curricula developed to meet the needs of the warfighter.

PMA-205 worked directly with Maj. Kevin Halpin, MATSS Kaneohe Bay officer-in-charge, and his team to define which equipment would best serve the MAG and MAGTF. Once that was determined, the program office procured the training devices and other associated aviation training products. Now that the facility renovations are complete, PMA-205 can soon deliver, install and configure the equipment.

The first new simulator, a CH-53E Super Stallion containerized flight training device, is in production and scheduled to arrive at MCBH late winter. The support structure and software are currently being installed. The device will be followed by an enhanced aircrew externals trainer arriving soon after.

“The first MCBH CH-53E helicopter squadron will stand-up before the end of the year,” said Halpin. “We want to ensure we have all the training resources it requires to maintain efficiency and effectiveness as MAG-24 transitions to include the new platform.”

As other platforms, such as the UH-1Y Huey, AH-1W Cobra, and MV-22 Osprey homeport at MCBH, the MATSS will expand to support those squadrons, as well as any virtual training linking platform or community training devices together added Halpin.

Currently, the MATSS Kaneohe Bay team consists of Halpin; Gunnery Sgt. John Militello, staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge; Mr. Dave Prislin, operations coordinator and Mr. Preston Brown, information systems analyst. An operations officer will join the team later this year. The MATSS is scheduled for Initial Operational Capability this fall.