The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) celebrated its 14th birthday with a luncheon and cake-cutting ceremony at the Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) Portside Entertainment Complex, Feb. 3.

CNATT provides more than 550 courses in support of the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) and fleet readiness and has oversight of nearly 3,000 staff members supporting more than 100,000 students annually at training units, detachments and learning sites around the world. CNATT develops, delivers and supports aviation technical training at 27 sites located throughout the continental United States and Japan.

"As the training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise, we recognize that training is the lynchpin of readiness, and that's what we do here and at our learning sites across the country," said CNATT Commanding Officer Capt. Eric Simon. "We train the technicians that will support and maintain the aviation assets in the fleet."

Simon addressed the CNATT service members and civilian employees at the onset of the celebration, stressing the importance the headquarters staff has played in the professional development of thousands of students.

"I always say that CNATT has one of the best and most important jobs in naval aviation," said Simon. "We provide the trained Sailors and Marines that ultimately support the warfighter at the pointy end of the spear. The contributions the CNATT team makes to the Naval Aviation Enterprise are an important part of the present and future of naval aviation. I am extremely proud to have been given the privilege of leading this outstanding organization."

The CNATT Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) committee provided lunch and civilian and military employees participated in training provided by the organization's safety department, total force directorate and the CNATT anti-terrorism officer.

Simon said the command's headquarters element is dedicated to the continued efforts toward training the future maintainers of naval aviation, a task he said CNATT embraces.

"Our people are our most valuable asset, and I know that each and every member of the CNATT Team -- both here and across our 27 sites -- is doing their utmost to provide the best possible training to the men and women who pledge to support and defend our great nation," Simon said.

CNATT is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE), an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost and is the largest training center under Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

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