Blue Air Training

What Blue Air Training does

Blue Air Training is a privately held, veteran-owned provider of contract Close Air Support (CAS) training to the U.S. military and allied forces. Founded in 2009 by retired USAF A-10C pilot James "Chef" Barlow, the company specializes in Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) qualification, mission qualification, and currency training, delivering both live and dry weapons presentations to conventional and special operations units. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, Blue Air operates five domestic hubs across Nevada, Florida, Arkansas, Arizona, and North Carolina, and is actively expanding into international markets through NATO and Partner Nation programs.

The core product is full-mission-profile CAS training built around a mixed fleet of 24 attack aircraft, including high-speed jets (BAC-167 Strikemaster), extended-loiter turboprops (A-90 Raider, OV-10D+/G Bronco, PC-9 Pilatus, IAR-823 Brasov), and rotary-wing platforms (Bell 206). Blue Air holds exclusive or first-mover regulatory credentials including the ATF Type 11 license for sourcing live munitions, USAF approval as the first and only contractor cleared for live strafe, and exclusive operation of the purpose-built A-90 Raider (4.5+ hour endurance, LINK-16 datalink, encrypted radios, NVG, video downlink). Instructor pilots collectively hold 60,000+ flight hours, multiple combat tours, and 350+ years of CAS experience, with the CEO personally credited with authoring joint tactical manuals JP3-09.3 and JFIRE.

Blue Air monetizes exclusively through government contracts, primarily via IDIQ vehicles with the U.S. Department of Defense. Key awards include a 10-year Air Combat Command contract valued at up to $6.4 billion shared among seven companies, four-year AFSOC contracts for live and dry CCAS (Blue Air's fourth AFSOC win since program inception), and recurring task orders for the 6th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis AFB. Customers include AFSOC, ACC, SOCOM's SOTACC, multiple Special Tactics Squadrons (320 STS, 23 STS, 22 STS), U.S. Army Special Forces Groups and Rangers, and international allies such as the Royal Australian Air Force. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; services are procured through standard federal contracting channels including GSA and DoD IDIQ vehicles, and the company claims 40,378+ JTAC controls completed with over $500 million in claimed taxpayer savings.

Name

Blue Air Training

Legal name

Blue Air Training Corp.

Website

https://blueairtraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Blue Air Training is a veteran-owned, Las Vegas-based provider of contract Close Air Support training for the U.S. military and allied forces. The company operates a 24-aircraft mixed fleet delivering live and dry weapons JTAC qualification training to USAF, SOCOM, and Partner Nation customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. US Government Military Training Contracts: Blue Air Training generates revenue through long-term government contracts with the US Department of Defense, primarily the Air Force. Contracts include a 10-year Combat Air Force (CAF) CAS contract worth up to $6.4 billion (shared among seven companies), four-year AFSOC contracts, and various task orders. Services include live and dry Contract Close Air Support (CCAS) for JTAC qualification, mission qualification, and currency training.
2. International Partner Nation Training: Revenue from providing training services to NATO and Partner Nations through international programs, with expansion of international footprint with new locations for regionalized programs

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Blue Air Training provides contract Close Air Support (CAS) training for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) and warfighters, delivering live and dry weapons training, multiple asset simulation, day/night missions, planning assistance, familiarization flights, and platform instruction. Services are delivered via a mixed fleet of high-speed attack jets, extended loiter-time turboprop aircraft, and attack helicopters (including A-90 Raider, OV-10D+/G Bronco, PC-9 Pilatus, IAR-823 Brasov, BAC-167 Strikemaster, and Bell 206) primarily through US Air Force, AFSOC, and ACC contracts, plus NATO Partner Nation programs.

Product overview

Blue Air Training provides a comprehensive portfolio of Close Air Support training services for military and partner nation warfighters. The company operates a mixed fleet of attack aircraft including fixed-wing jets (BAC-167 Strikemaster), turboprops (A-90 Raider, PC-9 Pilatus, IAR-823 Brasov), and rotary-wing platforms (Bell 206), serving as the primary training platform for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. Their services include live and dry weapons training, multiple asset simulation, and platform instruction, delivered through bases across the United States and international partner programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contract Close Air Support (CAS) Training Live and dry weapons Close Air Support training for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC), including multiple asset simulation, day/night missions, planning assistance, familiarization flights, and platform instruction for military and partner nation warfighters. Delivered at operating bases in Las Vegas NV, Yuma AZ, Fort Smith AR, Pensacola FL, Southern Pines NC, and Lakeland FL, and at international Partner Nation locations.
• JTAC Training Center of Excellence Specialized training program for Joint Terminal Attack Controller qualification and currency training, supporting USAF JTAC syllabus and doctrine development. Delivered with veteran CAS instructor pilots and current TTPs aligned to JP3-09.3 and JFIRE.
• NATO Partner Nation Training International training programs for NATO partner nations, providing regionalized CAS training through the company's expanded international footprint and aligned with NATO procedures. Includes confirmed training engagements with the Royal Australian Air Force.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40,378 JTAC controls completed and saving over $500 million in taxpayer costs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MAG-DS (Mission Airgence Data Solutions)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2013Blue Air Training teams with MAG-DS to provide US Army Special Forces Groups and US Army Rangers with long duration ISR and CAS presentations. The partnership combines MAG-DS expert JTACs on sensors with Blue Air CAS pilots to provide a level of training previously unavailable to special operations forces.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Draken International: Largest adversary air and contract military aviation training provider in the West, operating a fleet of former military aircraft to provide dissimilar air combat training (DACT) and tactical training to USAF, USN, and allied air forces. Directly comparable in business model (contract aviation training, mixed fleet of former military jets, government IDIQ contracting) and competes with Blue Air for CAF CAS and adversary air task orders.
• Top Aces: Canadian-headquartered provider of contract adversary air and tactical training services using former military aircraft (F/A-18, Alpha Jet, CF-5) for USAF, RCAF, and allied customers. Directly comparable contract aviation training model and competes for adversary/CAS task orders alongside Blue Air.
• Tactical Air Support (TacAir): US-based contractor providing contracted Close Air Support, joint tactical air control, and adversary air training services to the US military using former military aircraft (F-5, A-4). Competes head-to-head with Blue Air on CAS and JTAC training contracts under the same CAF CAS IDIQ umbrella.
• Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC): Provides contract adversary air services using a fleet of legacy fighter aircraft (F-21, Mk 58 Hawker Hunter, L-39) to support US Navy and allied tactical training. Closely comparable contract aviation training model and overlapping USAF/USN customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Amentum: Large-scale government services contractor offering aviation training, maintenance, and operational support across multiple DoD customers. Provides adjacent aviation training and support services to USAF and serves as a potential competitor or partner depending on contract scope.
• CAE: Global leader in aviation training services with broad defense and civil training solutions, including live-virtual-constructive training systems, simulator training, and military training support. Overlaps with Blue Air in providing advanced military aviation training services but operates at a much larger scale and broader scope.
• L3Harris Technologies: Large defense prime contractor offering a broad portfolio including military training systems, simulation, and tactical communications. Provides overlapping capabilities (LINK-16, sensors, training systems) that Blue Air integrates into its JTAC training solutions.
• Vertex Aerospace: Provider of aviation maintenance, training, and logistics support to military and government customers. Comparable in offering aviation-related training and operational services to DoD, though focused more broadly across fleet support and depot-level services.
• Leidos: Major defense and IT services contractor with significant USAF training and simulation portfolio, including work on JTAC-related and air combat training programs. Provides broad-spectrum defense services that intersect with Blue Air's CAS training mission.

Others

• Booz Allen Hamilton: Defense consulting and engineering services contractor with significant USAF and SOCOM advisory and training support work. Adjacent to Blue Air's customer set and contract vehicle ecosystem though not a direct aviation training competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlueAirTrng
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/blueairtraining
• Facebookfacebook.com/blueairtraining
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blue-air-training
• Instagraminstagram.com/blueairtraining

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blue Air Training