M1 Support Services (M1) announced today it has selected retired Army Major General Tom Drew to serve as Executive Program Director for its Flight School Next offering. Flight School Next (FSN) is an Army initiative leveraging commercial innovation to transform Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) training.

“Leadership and experience matter and we are fortunate to have such a distinguished Army Aviator to lead this initiative,” said George Krivo, Chairman and CEO of M1. “General Drew is passionate about training Army Aviators, and he will set high standards, provide dynamic leadership to our employees, and serve as an example to young Army Aviators.”

General Drew is a former Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, a Standardization Instructor Pilot (SIP), and Master Army Aviator with extensive service in Special Operations. Widely respected across the Army Aviation community, he is an energetic leader passionate about FSN. Retiring after more than 42 years of active duty, he held senior command and staff positions across US Army Special Operations and Army Aviation organizations, including Deputy Commanding General, US Army Special Operations Command and Commander, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. His experience includes 18 years in Special Operations Aviation, where he commanded multiple aviation battalions supporting global contingency and national security missions.

“I’m honored to be selected to lead M1’s no fail mission to produce the next generation of world-class Army Aviators,” said Maj. Gen. Drew. “Team M1 will ensure that every graduate of Flight School Next is fully prepared to thrive and win on future battlefields.”

M1’s “Flight School First” offering is a comprehensive, turn-key training and simulation solution featuring an AI-enabled virtual training environment, advanced simulation, proficiency based learning, and safe, rugged, and reliable Robinson R66 helicopters.

“While the right aircraft, technologies, and innovations are all key to Flight School Next, what matters most in execution is effective, quality, and experienced leadership,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Doug Gabram, M1 Strategic Advisor. “Tom Drew is that leader. He will lead from the cockpit of an R66, training our future Aviators to fight and win our nation’s wars.”

M1 supports all branches of the military in managing, operating, and sustaining large scale aviation training enterprises, including Army flight training at Fort Rucker, Ala. M1 leveraged that experience in developing its Flight School First offering.

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 Defense, 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. Learn more at www.M1services.com.

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