C-17 Training Facility Opens at Wright-Patt

Officials at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to mark the opening of the base’s new C-17 training system facility. Air Force Reserve Command’s 445th Airlift Wing will use the facility, which opened on July 16, for the annual refresher and currency training of its C-17 pilots and loadmasters, according to the release from facility-supplier L-3 Link Simulation & Training. The wing operates nine C-17s. “We are excited to have the opportunity to train our aircrews locally,” said Col. Stephen Goeman, 445th AW commander. “Having a simulator at Wright-Patterson will result in a significant savings in travel cost, as well as provide more training for our aircrews,” he said. The facility features “a new and fully networked C-17 weapons system trainer, a training management system, computer-based training devices, a core integrated processor task trainer, and portable flight-planning devices,” states a base release. C-17 prime contractor Boeing delivered the training facility to Wright-Patt in May. L-3 Link is scheduled to stand up the next C-17 training system facility before year’s end at Stewart ANG Base in Newburgh, N.Y.