BLUE AIR TRAINING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Administration Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief Helicopter Pilot / CAS Pilot
The Army will tell you they don't do CAS, but if you were an AH-6 Little Bird pilot, that's all you did. Jim Hosey serves as Blue Air Training's Chief Helicopter Pilot and works with Blue Air Training's Pensacola team as a DETCO in preparing for upcoming exercise. Qualified as a pilot in both rotary and fixed wing aircraft as well as Mission Systems Operator (MSO) duties, Jim serves as a CAS SME and MSO instructor. As a helicopter certified flight instructor, he helped Blue Air Training establish its rotary wing CAS Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, Stan-Eval program, and MSO syllabus of instruction. Jim is also an instructor pilot in the A-90 and IAR-823.
Jim's SOF background as an Army Ranger has been critical in helping Blue Air Training bring solutions to clients' expressed need for improved rotary wing CAS training. Jim began his career as a plank holder rifleman and eventually a squad leader in the 3/75th Ranger Battalion. He then went on to fly AH-64 Apaches for a short time before becoming an AH-6 Little Bird pilot for the 1/160th SOAR where he spent the last 16 years of his military career.
With 5000 hours of flight time, including an impressive 360 combat hours, Jim retired with a Distinguished Flying Cross and twelve air medals-three with a Valor device.
As a retired Ranger, Jim knows why CAS JTAC training can make all the difference and how to provide that training in the best way possible. He takes pride in being part of a team that places an emphasis on consulting with instructors and troops to provide the most current and correct TTPs that are responsive to the emergent needs of troops in theater.
Hailing from rural Connecticut, Jim now resides in Kentucky and enjoys the outdoors from his lakeside home that he shares with his wife and three children. When he's not flying for Blue Air Training, you can find him chasing the clouds in his YAK 52.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Operations
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Business Development
John "Slick" Wright serves as the Vice President of Business Development, as well as the GSA point of contact for Blue Air Training. With over 1600 flight hours of training provided annually in support of 16 different ANG and special tactic squadrons, Slick also serves as DETCO and as an instructor pilot in the A-90 and IAR-823.
His previous CAS experience as an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot, Marine Forward Air Controller, Air Officer, Joint Terminal Attack Controller Instructor, Joint Terminal Attack Controller Evaluator, Tactical Air Control Party Instructor, Target Mensuration Only Instructor makes him superbly qualified to provide superior service to Blue Air's JTAC clients in support of training requirements. Slick has logged over 1000 career CAS controls and safely supervised more than 2500 controls. He is also a graduate of the MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor course where he earned the title Weapons and Tactics Instructor from the Air Officer Division. While on active duty he has also participated in over 30 large force and joint fires exercises as an instructor and evaluator of FACs, JTACs, JFOs, AirOs, TACPs, and FOs. As an AH-1W Weapons Training Officer, he instructed a variety of missions focused on supporting the guys on the ground.
During his tenure with the U.S. Marine Corps, Slick also served as the H&HS Company Commander and Air Officer for the 2d Reconnaissance Battalion. While serving as the Executive Officer and Company Air Officer for 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, he stood up Force's JTAC program which consisted of building, training, and managing 18 JTACs.
After leaving active duty, Slick entered the reserves flying AH-1Ws again and continued to train JTACs in Air Force Special Operations Command as a contractor. He was a JTAC Program Manager for both the 21st Special Tactics Squadron and the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at different times.
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources
- Vice President / Administration
Renee Lewis is the Director of Human Resources for Blue Air Training Corp, and is based in Denver, CO. Renee oversees the Human Resource Department, directing all human resource functions and administration and is responsible for the development and implementation of companywide policies and procedures. Renee enjoys supporting Blue Air's professionals of all trades who continue to support the warfighter in a greater capacity. Starting with the company as a specialist, Renee developed the Human Resource Department and remains true to her philosophy in aligning the department with the Company's mission and treating every employee as a priority. "I believe the HR Department is the customer service center for the employee. It is my privilege to act as the bridge between the Company and the employee, which keeps me grounded and near to what is most important to our people and our mission."
Renee has worked for a number of companies in the defense industry beginning January 2008, with a degree in Human Resources. She is working toward her Juris Doctor in employment and labor law. Renee's highest priority is being available to her two daughters. "Blue Air Training has given me a rare opportunity to be a mom and a professional, without sacrificing one over the other. Before COVID, we were positioned to accommodate a virtual office environment to allocate time and resources to our customers. In doing so, we learned early on how this impacted the work/life balance in a positive and healthy way. I have been present and part of every milestone in my kids' lives. I don't know a lot of working parents who are able to say the same thing." On her spare time, Renee can be found enjoying everything the Colorado outdoors have to offer with her family.
Job Titles:
- Chief Maintenance Officer