System Studies & Simulation Inc.
S3 delivered the second $50,000 pledge payment this month to the Army Historical Foundation In Arlington, VA. This article presents the latest construction update from the National Museum of the U.S. Army. The Foundation is still on track to turn the museum over to the Army in April 2019. S3 is proud to be a major contributor to this national treasure.
S3 Booth at AUSA Global Force Symposium and Exposition
S3 proudly participated in the 2018 Association of the United States (AUSA) Global Force Symposium and Exposition at the Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Alabama from 26-28 March 2018. The three-day event featured presentations from Army leadership including keynote remarks from the Secretary of the Army, the Undersecretary of the Army, and the Vice Chief of Staff. Other senior Army leaders such as the commanders of Forces Command, Training and Doctrine Command and Army Materiel Command also participated.
S3 manned a booth in the exposition hall to promote our corporate business interests as they pertain to the US Army. Special thanks to the folks who helped man the booth and respond to current and future customers and corporate teammates: Lisa Johnson, Will Stewart, Kevin Irvine, Dennis Vaughn, John Briggs, Mark Hannah, and Dan Coulter. S3 also participated in the ‘Warriors To The Workforce’ presented in association with Still Serving Veterans on Tuesday, March 27.
This one-of-a-kind event was part of the American Freedom Foundation’s nationwide initiative to help Veterans find jobs. The event brought together major companies from throughout the country to profile their services and provide employment opportunities for our Veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses. Our booth was manned by Joanna Hillis and Bill Rogers. Last but not least, S3 was a Silver Sponsor for the ‘Rocket City Bash’ where over 800 participants celebrated under the Saturn V at the US Space and Rocket Center’s Davidson Center on the evening of March 27th.
Cessna 208B
S3 is pleased to announce the purchase of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan to its Contractor-Owned Aircraft Fleet. S3 is adding the Caravan to support the increasing sales of the S3 operated International Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Training Academy (IISR) in Crestview, FL.
The versatile Cessna 208B is a high-wing, fixed landing gear, turboprop aircraft in service with many civil and military operators around the world. To date, more than 2,565 airplanes of this type have been produced. Our supporting vendors are currently modifying S3‘s aircraft to perform multiple operational training missions for US and Partner Nation customers. These specialized modifications include adding advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors, military radios, datalinks and airdrop equipment. Kachemak Bay Flying Service (KBFS), wholly owned subsidiary of S3, will develop and conduct training for pilot qualification, ISR operations, and airdrop missions from Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview.
Other missions such as Mountain Environment training will occur at other sites that possess the required geography and environmental flight conditions. Crewed by KBFS’s highly-experienced instructors, this versatile, multi-million dollar aircraft is ready to meet the toughest requirements imposed by S3‘s foreign and domestic military, law enforcement and commercial customers.
Burritt on the Mountain has recently received a $200,000 gift from Jan Smith, founder and CEO of S3, for the building of an impressive cantilevered deck overlooking the city of Huntsville. The View will be ready for use in early Spring and will enhance the already remarkable view from the Burritt bluff. Visitors will be able to enjoy soon-to-be announced summer events, including lunches, cocktails and music, from The View. The 3,000 square foot space will enhance the sightseeing opportunities for Burritt’s everyday guests as well as offer a brand new “ultimate rooftop experience” for weddings, parties and corporate functions.
“Arriving in Huntsville in the late 60s, I could never have imagined the growth and expansion that Huntsville has experienced,” said Smith. “As awesome and unbelievable as it has been, I and many others believe our city’s future is equally as awesome. Having become a true investor in Burritt’s roles as community educator, tourist attraction, history museum, and family destination, it is my honor to help expand what Dr. Burritt started with his purchase of this 167 acre portion of Monte Sano, known as Round Top Mountain. With completion of the viewing platform called appropriately The View, our Jewel on the Mountain has taken yet another step in sharing its beauty with our city and its many visitors.”
Leslie Ecklund, CEO of Burritt, commented on Ms. Smith’s gift. “I greatly admire Jan Smith and am so impressed with all the things she has done for Burritt and our community. She has been a member, supporter and a major donor on all of our capital projects over the last five years and we are thrilled to have her as our lead supporter for The View. Her motto is ‘Destiny is a matter of choice, not a matter of chance.’ We are honored to be the recipient of this choice she has made and know that our destiny will be better for it.”
Over a million dollars of supplies were given to Madison County’s Teachers last year alone. Last year Free 2 Teach gave out over a million dollars of supplies to teachers from every single school across Madison County’s three public school systems. That is over a million dollars that did not come out of the pockets of our teachers. That’s over a million dollars of supplies going into the hands of our most vulnerable students. S3‘s Distinguished Partnership with Free 2 Teach is making this possible.
Marcel Benoit provides academic instruction during Class 17-01.
On 10 November 2017, S3/KBFS Crestview’s International Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Academy (IISRA) graduated its first class of eight students drawn from the ranks of the Mexican Navy.
Two years in the making, this one-of-a-kind training course provided scenario-based ISR training for Partner Nation aircrew members under the support of the US Air Force Northern (AFNORTH) Command.
The program concluded, with each student receiving flight simulation, planning/briefing/debriefing, and flight hours . More important was the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the students and AFNORTH. We look forward to more training in 2018!
MEXNAV Class 17-01 poses for graduation photo outside the IISR Academy
Tom Burman provides MSO operator instruction in the PC-12.
PFRMS PM-Col Mills, Bill McArdle and Dennis Vaughn (S³ employee and former DPM MLRS) standing in front of a HIMARS launcher on display.
S3 was recognized on Oct. 19, 2017 as a contributing sponsor of the Precision Fires Rocket and Missile System Project Office (PFRMS) commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Project Office held at the Redstone Arsenal Activity Field. S3 President, Jim Barclay, and other members of the S3 staff attended this 40th anniversary celebration for current and former alumni of the MLRS, Army Tactical Missile System, Brilliant Anti-Tank, PFRMS, and related project offices. Dean Reese, Bill McArdle and Christian Sumner and other S3 employees currently supporting PFRMS played a key role in planning and executing this anniversary event attended by more than 300 current and former members of the MLRS program. S3, McArdle and the S3 PFRMS team were officially recognized at the event for their contribution and support.
ISR Academy Instructor Marcel Benoit instructs Class 17-1 in Map Reconnaissance techniques
On Monday, 9 October the first class of students arrived in Crestview, Florida to begin Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircrew Training at KBFS’ International ISR Training Academy. Eight aircrew students, their interpreters and members of USAF NORTHCOM will undergo 5 weeks of intense tactical training comprised of academics, simulation, and flight training utilizing KBFS’ 2600 square foot facility, multiple Part Task Training devices and the Pilatus PC-12NG Spectre aircraft. Students receive more than 60 academic hours, 10 hours of simulation and 20 hours of tactical light training during the 25 training days. Taught completely in the Spanish language, KBFS’ International ISR Academy is the only one of its kind in the United States.
For more information on ISR Training, visit www.kb-air.com or call 850-398-8699
ISR students receiving hands-on training in the Sensor Part Task Training device
October 9-11, 2017–Washington, DC–S3 attended the 2017 Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) annual meeting in Washington, DC. The annual meeting is the largest landpower exposition and professional development forum in North America and had over 26,000 in attendance this year. This forum is a great opportunity for our corporate leadership to stay informed on pertinent Army issues, and to meet with current and prospective business partners. As a long-time corporate member of the Redstone Huntsville AUSA Chapter, S3 was once again the title sponsor for this year’s social event that took place on 10 October at the Embassy Suites. We proudly support AUSA and congratulate our local chapter on their 2017 Best Chapter Award.
Congratulations Keven Anderson!
One of the most enjoyable tasks we have at Kachemak Bay Flying Service (KBFS) is to aid people in achieving their dream of learning how to fly. Some of us experienced pilots have forgotten the thrill of that first solo flight. Watching someone who has just experienced it can bring back those feelings.
This past week, two primary students training with KBFS completed their first solo. Pictured below are Keven(correct spelling) Anderson, just returning from his flight, and Gary Beyers, with his KBFS instructor Mike Johnson. Both students performed extremely well on their solo flights which is an indication of the superb instruction provided by Mike.
Congratulations Gary Byers! Pictured here with Flight Instructor Mike Johnson
We look forward to them completing their training and receiving their Private Pilot Certificates.
Kachemak Bay Flying Service is a wholly owned subsidiary of System Studies and Simulation, Inc. (S³). KBFS conducts rotary wing and fixed wing flight operations at the Draughon-Miller Temple Regional Airport in Temple, TX, and at the Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview, FL.
