Boeing delivered a C-17 training center to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, where Air Force Reserve Command’s 445th Airlift Wing operates nine C-17s, announced the company. The facility, which includes a new and fully networked C-17 weapon system trainer, a training management system, computer-based training devices, a core integrated processor task trainer, and portable flight-planning devices, will enable the base to cut costs by training pilots and loadmasters onsite, according to the company’s May 7 release. “Since we received our first C-17 at Wright-Patt in January 2011, our local crews have had to go on temporary duty at other bases around the country to keep up their flying certifications,” said Michael Galle, C-17 program manager for training systems at the base. “Now that we have our own training center, we can increase training efficiency and reduce travel time and costs,” he said. Wright-Patt’s WST has the ability to be networked with other Air Force WST devices around the globe for cross-team mission training, states the release.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.