Officials cut ribbon on new HC/MC-130J simulator building

  • Published
  • By John Cochran
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  Kirtland Air Force Base officials conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 19 at Building 950, site of the 58th Special Operations Wing's new HC/MC-130J aircraft simulator.

The high-tech apparatus emulates aircraft handling in a wide variety of flight conditions.

The commander of the 58th Training Squadron, which is responsible for overseeing and directing the system's use, explained how it fits into the wing's overall training mission.

"Our brand new HC/MC-130J simulator is a tremendous addition to our training mission and we intend to use it extensively to meet the needs of tomorrow's warfighters. Our team has delivered this state-of-the-art, high-fidelity training device to help us maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of training. Students will learn introductory through advanced flying skills in this simulator," said Lt. Col. Regan J. Patrick.

The 58 SOW's HC/MC-130J program manager, Lt. Col. Alex Carothers, provided more details about the benefits associated with the HC/MC-130J Weapon System Trainer.

"The WST will be certified to the military equivalent of the Federal Aviation Administration's 'Level D' definitions, enabling us to train, for the first time, all three crew positions in an environment very much like the actual airplane. Consequently, our pilot, combat systems officer and loadmaster students will receive almost 75 percent of their training off-aircraft at substantially lower cost," he said.

Carothers also spoke about how the simulator's realism contributes to producing qualified crewmembers.

"The WST's ability to recreate the actual aircraft's look and feel is at the center of the higher-end training. Much like the commercial airlines, all Basic Qualification training is conducted in the simulator, including the graduation examination known as a 'check ride.' All mission capabilities of the HC/MC-130J are executable in the device, including night-vision goggle low-level operations, air-to-air refueling as tanker and receiver, and no-light landings," he said.