The U.S. Marine Corps Light/Attack Helicopter Programs (PMA-276) marked the United States Marine Corps' 250th birthday on Nov. 10, 2025, with a wellness walk around Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The event, part of the H-1 team’s "Walk for Wellness" initiative, aimed to promote physical and mental health within the H-1 team with an ambition to collectively walk 250 miles to honor the USMC’s 250th birthday. 

Four teams across three Air, Anti-submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission (PEO(A)) programs were awarded highest Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) honors during the annual NAVAIR Commanders Award ceremony held June 4. 

In a message to the NAVAIR community, Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, Commander, NAVAIR stated “Our award winners rose to the top from a remarkable pool of 129 exceptional nominees, all of whom demonstrated the mindset, behaviors and commitment that drive our mission forward—delivering the warfighting capability our fleet needs, at a cost we can afford.” 

Colonel Jason Duke relieved Colonel Vasilios Pappas as the commanding officer of the USMC H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter Program Office (PMA-276) during a change of command ceremony at the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One’s (HX-21) hangar on Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Mar. 20.

The change of command ceremony was presided over by Brigadier General David Walsh, Program Executive Officer for Air, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs, who offered words of encouragement and praise to both Col. Pappas and Col. Duke.

In a ceremony held at the Pentagon, six Program Executive Office, Air, Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)) were recognized by the annual Department of the Navy Acquisition Excellence Awards committee.  

The newly named Sean J. Stackley Acquisition Excellence Awards recognizes teams and individuals across the Department of the Navy (DON) for quality work and service that contributes to the Navy and Marine Corps. 

The United States Marine Corps Light Attack Helicopter Programs Office (PMA-276) made history with the first Suitable Substitute Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) in partnership with Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) Additive Manufacturing (AM) Integrated Product Team (IPT).

The Czech Republic accepted the last two UH-1Y helicopters in June of 2024 marking the successful completion of in-country deliveries of twelve H-1 helicopters. This delivery was part of a partnership with NAVAIR’s U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter Program Office (PMA-276) and industry partner, Bell.

The successful delivery of the new prototype H-1 Mission Rehearsal Trainer (MRT) in February to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, marks a significant milestone in Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron (HMLA) training. Once into production, the deliveries will provide the HMLA community fully transportable MRTs with a small footprint, allowing Marines to practice tactical combat skills, mission scenarios, and maintain combat proficiency while deployed.

Deputy Minister Frantisek Sulc and Brig. Gen. Petr Cepelka, Commander of the Czech Air Force, visited the Bell Amarillo Assembly Center H-1 production line in March to catch a glimpse of the Czech Republic Air Force’s future fleet of AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters.

“It is great to be here to see the final stage of delivering our aircraft,” said Minister Sulc. “This is a very important step for the modernization of the Czech Army.”

Members of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303 and the H-1 Light/Attack helicopters program office (PMA-276), recognized a group of airmen from the Czech Republic Air Force during a ceremony on Feb. 9 for completing maintenance and flight training on the H-1 family of the aircraft.

Following an unprecedented on-time delivery record, the Marines received its final AH-1Z Viper as mapped out by the service’s program of record (POR).