M1 Support Services Advances to Phase II of U.S. Army’s Flight School Next Program, Poised to Transform Rotary-Wing Pilot Training
M1 Support Services (M1), a leading provider of aviation training and maintenance solutions for the U.S. military, announced today that it has been selected to move forward to Phase II of the U.S. Army’s Flight School Next (FSN) competition. This milestone reflects M1’s continued leadership in delivering innovative, efficient, and mission-ready training solutions for rotary-wing aviators.The Army’s Flight School Next initiative is designed to explore contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) solutions for training Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) student pilots. The program emphasizes modern, flexible training methods that enhance proficiency while optimizing cost and operational efficiency.
M1 submitted two distinct proposals, both of which successfully advanced to Phase II,” said George Krivo,. “Our team began developing our approach nearly two years ago. This early start allowed us to craft a comprehensive and well-integrated training solution tailored specifically to meet the Army’s objectives and requirements. Our proposals are the result of careful planning, operational insight, and a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver world-class flight training.”
Proven Expertise Across Military Aviation
M1 has a longstanding track record in providing flight training, simulation, and comprehensive maintenance support for military rotary-wing aircraft. The company currently manages a fleet of more than 500 Army and Air Force aircraft, including AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook, UH-72 Lakota, and TH-1 helicopters. These assets are distributed across five primary airfields, with operations supporting:
- Up to 400 sorties per day
- Approximately 240,000 flight hours annually
- A 24/7/365 operations schedule, supported by a three-shift workforce exceeding 3,000 aircrew, maintenance, and support personnel
” Our extensive,” said James Cassella, Chief Growth Officer of M1. “We understand the nuances of large-scale aviation training, which allows us to provide a seamless, low-risk transition for new programs. Our Phase II approach includes a wide range of innovations aimed at transforming Army flight training, enhancing pilot proficiency, and reducing overall program costs.”
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M1’s approach emphasizes modernization, efficiency, and safety. Theexperience, M1 is well
Beyond the Army, M1 supports all branches of the U.S. military in operating, managing, and sustaining aviation training enterprises. The company maintains training programs at Air Force and Navy installations nationwide, in addition to its operations at Fort Rucker, Alabama, the Army’s primary helicopter training hub. The scale and complexity of the Fort Rucker program are unmatched, further highlighting M1’s unique capability to manage large, diverse aviation training fleets.
About M1 Support Services
M1 Support Services is a trusted partner to the U.S. military, delivering comprehensivelyexpertise, innovation, and mission-focused execution to ensure that military aviators receive the highest-quality training and support. Through its programs, M1 continues to contribute to the readiness, safety, and efficiency of U.S. military aviation operations worldwide.
About M1 Support Services, a Cerberus Capital Management Company
M1 Support Services is a mission-first, force-multiplying partner solely dedicated to providing aviation solutions to the U.S. Department of War, Allies, and partner nations. Our complete spectrum of services includes flight training and simulation, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), flight operations, logistics, aircraft modifications and upgrades. The only company of scale focused solely on aviation solutions, we execute large, complex programs of National and International significance, supporting the most advanced military aircraft in the world.