WAATS

• WAATS stands for Western Army Aviation Training Site. Located near Marana, Arizona, WAATS is the primary training center for Army National Guard aviation units across the United States. • Founded in 1986, WAATS was established to provide advanced individual training for Army National Guard helicopter pilots and maintainers, consolidating instruction previously conducted at various Army installations. • Home to the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, WAATS supports a diverse fleet, including UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. • High desert location advantages: WAATS’s Arizona location offers unique training opportunities such as mountain flying, desert operations, and brownout landing scenarios—crucial for deployments to arid regions. • International partnerships: WAATS has trained aviators from allied nations, including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan, fostering international cooperation. • Central to the Lakota program: WAATS was designated as the primary training site for the UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter, providing instruction and testing for the Army’s newest rotary-wing platform. • Unique “schoolhouse” culture: Known as the “schoolhouse,” WAATS’s instructors are highly experienced pilots and maintainers, many with combat experience, who pass on operational knowledge to new generations. • Pioneered Night Vision Goggle (NVG) training: WAATS was among the first Army National Guard sites to incorporate comprehensive NVG flight instruction into its curriculum. • Vital during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom: WAATS rapidly expanded throughput after 9/11, training thousands of pilots and crew chiefs to meet deployment demands. • Innovation in simulation: WAATS operates state-of-the-art flight simulators, allowing students to train for emergencies and challenging scenarios in a safe, controlled environment before taking to the skies.