Priority 1 Air Rescue (P1AR), a world leader in providing full spectrum mission training and operational services, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a 5-year training contract with Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) to provide instructor-led basic aircraft systems training, hoist search and rescue (SAR), helicopter external sling load operations (HESLO), fast-rope/rappelling, night vision goggle (NVG), and M240 aerial gunnery training for up to 140 MH-139A Grey Wolf Special MissionsAviators (SMAs).

The first class of MH-139A SMAs graduated from their 4-week training program at P1AR’s Search and Rescue / Tactical Training Academy (SART/TAC) located in Mesa Arizona in December 2023. Services provided by P1AR for the training contract includes academics, instructor-led classroom instruction, custom designed training study guides and workbooks, interactive courseware iPads, computer-based training, student learning management, synthetic MH-139A Advanced Aircrew Mission Simulator (AAMS) training, and hoist/fast-rope procedural tower training utilizing a Breeze Eastern hoist system.

“We are very excited to be involved in such a monumental program and have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Grey Wolf team at Air Force Global Strike Command. Our partnership with the AFGSC team is dedicated to improving safety, training effectiveness, and mission capability for the next generation of MH139A SMAs” said Brad Matheson President, Priority 1 Air Rescue. “We continue to focus on enhancing our training programs to support mission readiness for our Department of Defense (DoD) customers by leveraging innovation and our over 25 years of mission training experience. Priority 1 Air Rescue has been employing virtual hoist simulators and hoist towers in our training programs since 2012 and started hoisting on the newly delivered AB139 serial number #002 in 2006. We have provided mission training services for 16 different commercial and para-public AW139 agencies worldwide, while also performing operational SAR/Air Ambulance mission services on the airframe ever since.”

“The graduation of the first class of MH-139A SMAs is testament to a great team effort to deliver comprehensive proven training for the new generation of Grey Wolf SMAs,” said MSgt Andrew Blankenship. “Leveraging proven training programs, synthetic training devices, and AW139 airframe mission experience is key to ensure the transition of our aircrew from the UH-1N to the MH-139A.”