System Studies & Simulation Inc.
On September 11, 2019, KBFS assisted Tulsa, Oklahoma area contractors in installing a new steeple on a church roof. The Central Church of the Nazarene, on 81st Street in Tulsa, lost its steeple, installed in 1981, to storm damage back in May. Project coordinators had been planning for the day a new steeple could be lifted into place and community members watched as KBFS’s MD530F Light Utility Helicopter did the lifting. Tulsa’s Channel 6 covered the event.
The complete video capture by Channel 6’s helicopter appears below.
Apollo 11 50-Year Anniversary Celebration Patch
S³ was proud to be a sponsor of the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration Dinner held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center on July 16, 2019. S³ CEO Jan Smith along with Tony Porter, Bob Johnson, Dennis Vaughn, Jim and Margenia Charlton, and Jeff and Alice Mockensturm represented S³. Tommy Tuberville, prior coach at Auburn University and now running for Alabama Senate (R), and Wayne Parker, his campaign manager, were the two VIP guests seated at the S³ sponsored table.
This celebration was in recognition of the historic mission when the massive Saturn V lofted Apollo 11 astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins heavenward to the moon. The world then watched and listened as Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969.
S³ CEO Jan Smith and VIP Tommy Tuberville at the S³ table
At a 1970 farewell event in downtown Huntsville, Dr. Wernher von Braun stated: “My friends, there was dancing in the streets of Huntsville when our first satellite orbited earth. There was dancing again when the first Americans landed on the moon. I’d like to ask you, don’t hang up your dancing slippers.” Nearly fifty years later, Vice President and Chairman of the National Space Council Mike Pence visited the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville and made this commitment: “It is the stated policy of this Administration and the United States of America to return American astronauts to the Moon within the next five years.”
S³ CEO Jan Smith and Margrit von Braun with an indoor replica of the Saturn V
Many renowned dignitaries were in attendance, including Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 & Gemini XII), Tom Stafford (Apollo 10 & Gemini VI), Al Worden (Apollo 15), Jack Lousma (Skylab 3 & STS 3), Ed Gibson (Skylab 4), Bob Springer (STS 29 & 38), Bob Stewart (STS 41-B & 51-J), Jan Davis (STS 47, 60 & 85), and Larry DeLucas (STS-50). Other honored guests were author Homer Hickam; Saturn/Apollo veterans; Dr. Wernher von Braun’s children, Iris Robbins and Margrit and Peter von Braun; and Marshall Space Flight Center Director Jody Singer.
While the night had several speakers, the two that were exceptionally notable were Ms. Margrit von Braun and Governor of Alabama Kay Ivey. Ms. von Braun, daughter of Dr. Wernher von Braun, was the keynote speaker, and Governor Ivey paid tribute to the role of Huntsville in the success of the Apollo Program and to emphasize the important mission of MSFC in “return to the moon and beyond.”
A spectacular light show completed the night’s events.
S³ CEO Jan Smith and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
S³ was pleased to be a sponsor for the Alabama Update Luncheon on July 10, 2019 at the Huntsville Madison County Chamber in downtown Huntsville. The featured speaker for this event was Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Prior to the luncheon, S³ CEO Ms. Jan Smith, SVP Bob Johnson, AMCOM Express Director Jim Charlton, and JRS3/MDA Director Jeff Mockensturm were invited to attend a major donors’ reception.
Governor Ivey is no stranger to hard work, having worked on her father’s farm in South Alabama. After graduating from Auburn University, Governor Ivey worked several jobs until she became the Reading Clerk of the Alabama House of Representatives and was the Assistant Director for the Alabama Development Office.
While pursuing her service to the State of Alabama, Governor Ivey has accomplished many “first” distinctions. In 2002, Governor Ivey was the first Republican-elected State Treasurer since Reconstruction, and was re-elected in 2006. In 2010 she was elected Lieutenant Governor, which made her the first Republican woman to hold the office in Alabama history. In 2017, Governor Ivey was sworn in at 54th Governor for the State of Alabama due to a vacancy and elected to serve a full term in 2018, which made her the first Lt. Governor of Alabama elected to a full term after taking over as Governor due to a vacancy. As a Girls State alumnus, she is also the first to be elected to a constitutional office in Alabama.
Governor Ivey is an active member of her church, serves as a board member to several organizations, and has received numerous awards for her service to the State of Alabama.
Pictured at the S³ Aviation Industry Days booth is Gary Servold, Director S³ CDD Ft. Rucker, and Jennifer Otstot, S³ Ft. Rucker Office Manager.
The US Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) held its annual Aviation Industry Days Event July 24th-25th at Fort Rucker’s “The Landing” facility. This event offers a first-hand look at the latest innovations in Aviation. S³ joined over 40 different exhibitors that came to offer an insight on their company, capabilities, products, services, and new technologies. The USAACE and Army Futures Command (AFC) provided insightful briefings and discussion panels on critical Army Aviation issues.
This forum allowed S³ the opportunity for recruiting, client interface, and to update our knowledge of Army and Aviation issues, challenges, and opportunities. Many of the patrons were eager, providing resumes after learning about all S³ has to offer and its broad range of capabilities. Fort Rucker S³ employees volunteered to man the S³ the booth and had the opportunity to meet USAAC/AFC leadership and interface with our customers and potential future customers. Their professionalism, knowledge, and positive attitude were the key to our success and showcased S³ talent and capabilities to event attendees.
On August 19, 2019, a team of five Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) members will embark on a challenging climbing expedition in the heart of Glacier National Park, Montana. Team “Rock Steady” has set their sights on reaching the summit of Mt. Piegan in an effort to raise money to support Combat Veterans along the way. System Studies & Simulation (S³) is proud to be one of the sponsors for this inspiring team.
“Climb for the Soldier” alumni Steven Sanders, Sr. and Steven Sanders, Jr. will be joined for this year’s event by friends and fellow AAAA members Neil Thurgood, Cliff Calhoun, and Steve Mathias. While Steven, Sr. and Steven, Jr. have almost ten years of experience climbing at Glacier National Park, this will be the first climb for the other members of Rock Steady.
The route covers 4.61 miles of challenging terrain and over 3000 ft. of elevation change. The ascent will begin at the Siyeh Bend Trail Head in Glacier National Park, 6000 ft. above sea level. The team plans to climb to the summit of Mt. Piegan, over 9000 ft. above sea level, and team members are hopeful time and conditions will permit an attempt to summit Mt. Pollock as well. The team will enjoy breathtaking scenery and views while facing the challenges of scrambles over difficult terrain, including large scree fields and glacier snow, and possible encounters with active wildlife, including bears and mountain goats.
As an added incentive to complete the climb and for esprit de corps, Rock Steady is using this opportunity to raise money for the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA), Tennessee Valley Chapter. In addition to company donations, climbers are collecting pledges of $1 for every 100 ft. of elevation completed in the climb. The team’s travel costs and climbing expenses are self-funded; all proceeds will go directly to the CVMA and their mission to help veterans in North Alabama and support deployed Soldiers during times of need. The team’s goal is to raise more than $3000 for the CVMA, and S³ is excited to be one of the corporate sponsors that can help make this goal possible!
For more information about the climb or to inquire about pledging support, visit the link below:
https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/janicedarrowby/climbforthesoldierpledge
Photo by Jonathan Ouimet on Unsplash
S³/KBFS loadmaster instructor Sean Sullivan throws a standard air training bundle (SATB) from the aircraft on a recent training sortie
On 22 May, S³/KBFS Crestview graduated C-208B Class 19-02, composed of four Cessna Caravan pilots from the C-208B Airland/Airdrop Mission Instructor Qualification Course. These individuals will take their newly acquired knowledge of the Cessna Caravan overseas where they will immediately begin training their host-nation counterparts. A first for Crestview was running simultaneous training in two separate courses; the aforementioned airdrop course ran simultaneously with the still ongoing RC-208 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Class 19-03, comprised of four USAF pilots and mission system operators (MSO). Over the next 2.5 years, S³, Inc and KBFS will supply dozens of qualified Air Force Instructor Pilots, Loadmasters and Mission System Operators to the Air Advisor program, ultimately ensuring the success of this vital mission overseas.
S³/KBFS instructors fly approach to mountain landing strip with an Air Force student
The Cessna 208B Caravan is a highly versatile aircraft that features a powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6A-140 engine producing 867 shaft horsepower (shp): the aircraft is capable of hauling up to 14 passengers or 3,692 pounds of cargo. The ’Van can even be equipped with floats for amphibious operation. Originally designed with a round dial or “steam gauge” cockpit in 1981, starting in 2008 the aircraft came equipped with the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit from the factory. The aircraft was intended for hauling passengers and cargo, but was quickly adopted by the military and given the designation of U-27A. Since that time, the Caravan’s mission set has expanded to include airdrop, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and ISR (designated the RC-208B for Afghanistan); attack versions (the AC-208 “Combat Caravan”) are currently being operated by numerous countries.
S³/KBFS’s Caravan training courses are designed in a modular fashion to allow the customer to essentially “choose their own adventure.” Typically, the government students attend FightSafety International’s tried and true Caravan simulator training in Wichita, KS. With this course under their belt, students arrive in Crestview, FL to begin live flight training in S³/KBFS’s aircraft. Upon arrival, all students attend Qualification/Instrument training; this is where the students learn the basics of operating the aircraft safely. Once this first phase is complete, the students’ progress to the tailorable mission-specific training, including airland and/or airdrop or ISR. Optional courses are also offered, including mountainous flight and night vision goggle training (NVG).
With the success of the current Caravan program and the previous Pilatus PC-12NG courses (which ran from 2014–2018), rising demand is driving continued growth in Crestview. The US Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC) is gearing up to send even more students in 2020 than in 2019. Additional work from the nearby Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is anticipated as well. Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH) will continue to sponsor a minimum of two Mexican military and law enforcement classes each year as well. To meet this added demand, Crestview has secured a lease on a second aircraft and hired two additional part-time pilots.
For additional information, please contact Marcel Benoit, C-208, PC-12, MD530F and Mi-17 Training Program Manager.
Chris Polvi assists in handing out water
15-17 October, Panama City, FL: The KBFS Crestview Operation Airdrop team flew relief missions with our C208, delivering approximately 1500 lbs of supplies per trip in support of relief to the Panama City, FL area damaged by the hurricane. Per S3 Site Manager, Marcel Benoit, “ There are a whole lot of people in dire straits down there so we are doing a really good thing helping out in this effort. This hits really close to home for us here in Crestview, literally and figuratively. Some of the folks that we work closely with and perform international training for are in danger of losing their homes due to severe damage. At the end of the day, it’s the very least we can do – i.e. help out in the community; doing so is in keeping with the corporate values and principles of S3.”
We send our thanks to the Crestview Team who supported these missions and ask that God be with those affected by this hurricane and support all those helping to ease their pain.
Chris Polvi, Jessica Mates, Tom Burman
Bob Johnson, SVP for S³; LTG (R) Roger Schultz, President Army Historical Foundation; Jan Smith, CEO & President of S³; and GEN (R) Gordon Sullivan Chairman of the Board of Directors Army Historical Foundation
October 2018, Washington DC: Jan Smith, CEO for S3, was presented a recognition plaque for her generous contribution to the Army National Museum. The plaque is made from stainless steel and granite stone used in the construction of the museum. The background is a mini replica of the donor wall that will be prominently displayed in the museum when it is completed. Shown in the photo is Bob Johnson, SVP for S3; LTG (R) Roger Schultz, President Army Historical Foundation; Jan Smith, CEO & President of S3; and GEN (R) Gordon Sullivan Chairman of the Board of Directors Army Historical Foundation.
Upon its completion, the National Museum of the United States Army will stand as the crowning achievement of a historical preservation effort. The National Museum of the United States Army will celebrate over 240 years of Army history and honor our Soldiers-past, present, and future.
16 August 2018—Congratulations to Miss Courtney Bratt! She has been selected as this years’ recipient of S³s Corporate Matching AAAA Scholarship. This is a 1 year scholarship providing $2,000. Miss Bratt is the daughter of LTC Richard Bratt, Madison, AL (Brigham Young University).
The 2018 AAAA Scholarship Selection Committee along with volunteers from the AAAA National Executive Board, the AAAASFI Board of Governors and Chapter Officers performed an outstanding job of evaluating and nominating over 500 applicants in this 2018 competition. There were 310 awards made for a total of $503,500.00. S³ is proud to support this program.
S3 is a long serving and active participant of the AAAA Scholarship Program. S³ supports AAAA scholarship activities at the annual AAAA National gatherings and participating in the scholarship selection process. S³ employees donate their personal time, and corporate S³ donates resources to further AAAA scholarship awards.
The AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation established to render financial assistance for the college-level education of members of the Army Aviation Association of America, Inc. (AAAA). The spouses, unmarried siblings, children and grandchildren of current and deceased AAAA members are also eligible. 100% of every dollar donated to the Scholarship Foundation goes to a scholarship or endowed principal based on the AAAA paying all overhead expenses for the Scholarship Foundation.
Visit http://www.quad-a.org for more details about the scholarship.
Once again, congratulations to Miss Bratt and good luck as she pursues her undergraduate degree.
SVP TSS Bob Johnson throws the first pitch to WWAST Saul Monroy
September 8, 2018, Madison, AL. The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) schedule brought the team to Madison, AL for a three game series. As Presenting Sponsor for the event, S3 had the honor of throwing out the first pitch during the kick-off the game against Redstone Arsenal. S3’s Senior Vice President of Training and Systems Support (TSS), Bob Johnson threw the game ball across the plate to WWAST player Saul Monroy. The series also paired WWAST against Madison City and Madison Academy (coaches and parents).
S³’s Jameson Salmon and Boston Claborn receive appreciation coins from AUSA’s Young Professionals Organization.
S3’s Jameson Salmon and Boston Claborn assisted the AUSA Young Professional Board with various coordination activities leading up to game day. Both Jameson and Boston are credited with recruiting five sponsors, helping with lodging, providing social event planning, and assisting with the welcome reception for the WWAST team.
WWAST is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to inspire and educate others, while enhancing the health and welfare of Wounded Warrior Amputees. The team is comprised of young, competitive, athletic veterans and active duty soldiers who have lost limbs.
