58 SOW gets new simulator

Published April 4, 2012
By Stefan Bocchino
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- The 58th Training Squadron formally accepted a new simulator March 23 as ready to use for training HH-60G aircrews at Kirtland Air Force Base.

"We had our first training sorties March 27 and 28," said Lt. Col. John S. Taylor Jr., 58 TRS HH-60G program manager. "The biggest upgrade is the two crew positions being added to the simulator, the gunner and the flight engineer positions. This is one of the first of its kind anywhere in the world to put the total crew concept into a simulator so we can all train together."

The simulator cost about $17 million.

"It represents the current state-of-the-art in aero modeling, visuals, and control loading for the pilot positions and adds the rear dome display/positions to create the first blended simulation model on a common motion platform," said Taylor. "This integration will allow the 58th Special Operations Wing to train HH-60G rescue crews in an entirely new and unique way, integrating the latest instructional methodology and a new crew resource management focused synthetic learning environment. We will tie all this together to deliver better prepared students to the flightline, which means better qualified war fighters walking out the gate at a reduced cost."

Tech. Sgt. Josemaria Gonzalez is the 58 TRS program manager for aerial gunners.

"Before this device was implemented, the gunner program was always behind the power curve in CRM and situational awareness," said Gonzalez. "This is going to help the gunner's progress so we can more effectively train flight engineers and gunners. The flight engineers already have five flights before the gunners even start flying, and the pilots have been flying for more than a year. With this simulator, the gunners will be able to catch up a whole lot faster."

Taylor said it will help the crew be on more equal footing by the time they all get to the flightline.

"Before the simulator's arrival, we have seen that the gunners have failed certain rides that have extended their program," said Gonzalez. "Those failures cost a lot of money. By leveling the playing field, we should be able to save a lot of money and expedite their training more effectively."

The simulator has great visuals and is very smooth to operate, according to Taylor.

"We are putting together a new syllabus to incorporate this simulator, using the effectiveness of the total crew training concept," said Taylor. "This will help reduce flightline sorties and save money."