Air Force Special Operations Command has received a CV-22 Osprey simulator, the first one the command has placed in the hands of operators rather than trainers. AFSOC placed the $21 million sim with the 19th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., to provide refresher training and proficiency practice for pilots who are actual operators of the Osprey. Hurlburt’s Osprey simulator is one of eight USAF will receive in the next five to seven years. Currently, there are two other CV-22 simulators with the training unit at Kirtland AFB, N.M. (Yes, that’s a ship in the simulator image; AFSOC aircrews get to learn how to operate from carriers.)
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
