FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – Charlie Company, 2ndBattalion, 13th Aviation Regiment Regulators hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Jan. 8 at their new Gray Eagle Simulator Training Facility here.
The new state-of-the-art facility replaces a temporary facility Charlie Company used to conduct training since the fall of 2009 when the Gray Eagle was introduced to support quick reaction troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“This new building represents not only a step forward in terms of our capabilities, but also our commitment to the safety, proficiency and the readiness of our Soldiers who train here,” said Capt. Ronald Palma, Charlie Company commander. “It stands as a testament and dedication to everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this day possible.”
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Lt. Col. Kent Monas, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, brought a few individuals who played an important role in the process of creating the permanent training facility to the front of the room for recognition.
Monas recognized Mike Ortiz, facilities manager, who was vital in keeping the temporary training location suitable for the needs of Soldiers and instructors.
“[Ortiz] is our facilities manager who has helped us sustain our current temporary facility well past its life expectancy, over a decade, and keeping that thing on life support to get us here, as well as continuing to design and work through the processes for this [new] building,” Monas said.
Ortiz initiated the project for this building in April of 2019. During that time, Ortiz was tasked with finding a suitable building that could support the training and spent months working on the conceptual design, electrical, HVAC and data requirements needed to conduct training.
Funding for the project was in place on Sept. 30, 2023, and the project broke ground on Nov. 11, 2023. From start to finish, the project took a little over a year to complete.
Monas then recognized Jack Wilson, flight simulator supervisor, who was selected to attend the first iteration of the Gray Eagle instructor training in 2009 held in El Mirage, California, at the General Atomics facility.
Following the training course, Wilson stood up the Gray Eagle flight training here for Charlie Company.
Next, Monas recognized Capt. Sarah Auchey, the previous Charlie Company commander, who was instrumental once ground broke on the project.
“[Auchey] laid out as far as the ergonomics of how these classrooms are, the fact that the windows are opaque to avoid the sun, it’s amazing as the commander she was able to get in here and do that while commanding the company,” Monas said. “The more I’ve learned how much she was involved with this building; I think it’s very important to recognize that.”
The next person Monas recognized was JD Summers, contracting officer, who played an important role in getting the project funded.
“[JD] thank you so much for your wise counsel to me throughout this process and then being here, being the road warrior, getting on planes and coming out here frequently, walking the footprint, and making sure things are done right,” Monas said.
The last individuals recognized were a group of Charlie Company Advanced Individual Training Soldiers who were there to assist with setting up the new building.
“It’s important to recognize that this building and all the hard work that we’ve done here by the leaders in this room was to set [the Soldiers] up for success,” Monas said. “They are the future of our national defense, and they are going to take over our jobs someday.”
Following Monas’ speech, Col. Mike Childs, garrison commander; and Col. Jason Woodward, commander, 1st Aviation Brigade at Fort Novosel, Alabama; cut the ribbon officially opening the new Gray Eagle Simulator Training Facility here.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests were able to walk throughout the building and watch demonstrations on the Gray Eagle simulators.
(Editor's note: Complete photo album available at 2025-01-08 2-13th Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | Flickr.)
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, 2-13th Aviation Regiment, Electronic Proving Ground, Joint Interoperability Test Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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