Teamwork yields valuable simulator for training

Published March 25, 2009
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, BILOXI, MISS. -- Team Keesler has once again demonstrated the power of collaboration.

Over the past 18 months, professionals from the 81st Training Support Squadron and the 334th Training Squadron, with technology funding support from Air Education and Training Command, have developed a modular control equipment classroom trainer for use in the aerospace control and warning systems apprentice course.

Tuesday, formal delivery of the trainer took place in Bryan Hall as Lt. Col. Kevin O'Rourke, 81st TRSS commander, signed over the system to Lt. Col. Scott Chowning, 334th TRS commander.

In the ACWS apprentice course, Airmen learn the basics of defending airspace from hostile incursion, vectoring aircraft intercepts and detecting and identifying aircraft. Operators perform multiple switch actions and operate voice communications equipment, utilizing the operator console unit workstations. The six-week course awards the 1C531 Air Force Specialty Code upon graduation.

Recent upgrades to the real-world MCE threatened to render the existing trainer training outdated. ACWS instructors foresaw training deficiencies when Keesler's training equipment configuration didn't match operational equipment in use around the globe, so they requested a new trainer.

The situation was just the kind of challenge the 81st TRSS Simware section likes to tackle.

Simware stands for simulator interface management ware, a set of tools that provide a means of creating, editing and storing scenarios for a trainer or simulator, said Ron Washburn, Simware development chief. Simware provides Air Force customers with high-fidelity trainers and simulators through cost-effective software engineering concepts.

"We deliver products on time, within budget and with capabilities that provide an optimal training experience," Mr. Washburn explained. "The bottom line is the quality of training will increase and the cost will decrease."

The Simware section's feasibility study determined a new MCE trainer could be built that would mirror the operational system and meet training requirements.

"To accomplish this, we had to study documents such as technical orders and course lesson plans," Mr. Washburn pointed out. "Several software programmers attended the ACWS to get a better understanding from the student perspective. We also documented how the real-world MCE on site operates.

"Finally, we had to demonstrate to the course's subject matter experts what we could do for them, just like we do for all of our projects -- we learn their business and they learn ours," he added.

But one obstacle remained -- funding for the unanticipated project hadn't been budgeted. Fortunately, 2nd Air Force solicited projects for AETC's technology insertion program funds. The 334th TRS and Simware specialists built a compelling case, and 2nd Air Force earmarked $170,000 to build the MCE trainer.

With the project approved, Simware programmers worked with 334th TRS subject matter experts to develop and refine software for the new trainer. Skilled craftsmen from the 81st TRSS trainer development flight designed and fabricated an integrated communications set which couples with the software to enable instructor-student communication. The 81st TRSS built four trainers, one for each of the course's four classrooms.

"All in all, this was another fantastic team achievement," said Colonel O'Rourke. "I never cease to be amazed by the result of this team's work."

In February, the ACWS apprentice course began using the first new MCE trainer. Based on instructor and student feedback, it has already proven to be a highly effective training system.

"This trainer provides my instructors with a tremendous capability to train our newest Airmen, and rave reviews from instructors and students validate that it was a job well done," Colonel Chowning remarked.

The new MCE trainer advances theater air operations training to the next level through improving student comprehension by delivering a realistic hands-on simulation and increasing training efficiency by reducing the required instruction time in the classroom.

AWCS students interpret and react to MCE trainer radar scope presentations and generated console displays as well as make simulated radio calls over the integrated communications system.

"The 334th TRS has requested Simware to develop a new trainer to prepare students for their duties at an air operation center," Mr. Wash-burn remarked. "This indicates that we delivered what they needed when they needed it, but it could not have happened without the dedication of the folks at the 334th TRS. This is a truly a win-win for the 81st TRSS and the 334th TRS."