JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — The 517th Airlift Squadron is implementing virtual reality into their training operations in order to provide more time-efficient training, and save millions of dollars at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Virtual reality equipment can project exact visual models of the exterior and interior of any aircraft the trainees need to familiarize themselves with. Trainees can look at a cockpit and work alongside their instructor to learn the controls and proper procedures. Any virtual aircraft they need to train on is provided through the Department of Defense, free for download to people who have the equipment.
“When we get into training, if we don’t have an aircraft outside or if there’s a blizzard going on, maintenance can work on their aircraft virtually,” said Master Sgt. Kyle Anderson, 517th AS senior enlisted advisor. “Instead of trying to schedule that space, we can just do it in-house immediately. We save time, and we save a lot of money because we don’t have to generate the aircraft, apply power to it, burn fuel, burn electricity, and waste time for maintainers.”
Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where many of the Airmen in the 517th went to for technical school, already established the VR technology, so new Airmen won’t need to waste time reacquainting themselves with this style of training.
“By the time they get to us, they’ve already seen the plane multiple times, and for upgrade training or initial training, we’re able to save a flight or two for them to actually be mission-ready,” said Anderson. “When I say one flight, that’s about five hours of flying. We burn about 20,000 pounds of fuel in that first hour. So you think 20,000 pounds of fuel, times how much it costs for fuel per hour, and we’re saving five hours.”
The new training provides new opportunities to continue training whenever limitations prevent Airmen from getting the real experience. Now, Airmen won’t have to wait for aircraft to be available; they can simply speak with an instructor and train with an aircraft at no additional expense to personnel or the Air Force.
“You can read about the jet all day, but having access to throw on the headset and being able to put the words to the jet makes a huge difference,” said Staff Sgt. Andre Buckmon, 517th AS instructor airdrop loadmaster and noncommissioned officer of training. “From a limitations perspective, scheduling is a huge thing up here in Alaska; we’re dealing with the elements, the cold, and limitation of [aircraft]. When it comes to ground training …….
Source: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/410283/517th-airlift-squadron-implements-virtual-reality-training