New Matero Hall climbing tower will enhance training opportunities

Published Dec. 11, 2008
By Keesler News Staff
Keesler News

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Construction begins soon in Matero Hall on a new indoor climbing tower for airfield systems apprentice students in the 338th Training Squadron.

The 2E1X2 airfield systems career field maintains airfield, landing, weather and communications systems. Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Nelson, career field manager, added a climbing component to the training requirement at the July 2007 utilization and training workshop.

Training makes maintenance safer

This climbing training will prepare Airmen to safely perform periodic and corrective maintenance on airfield equipment mounted on towers, according to Terry Campbell, airfield systems training manager. This change in the training program posed a bit of a dilemma, since the 338th TRS didn't have a physical structure for students to train on and climb.

Since June, students have done their academic training in Jones Hall and traveled to Maltby Hall to climb the 85th Engineering Installation Squadron's tower.

Even though this combination of training has provided the students with the necessary tools they need to fulfill the requirements of the new curriculum, there are still drawbacks, said Mr. Campbell.

Transportation, weather impact

Transportation time and costs and weather are currently all factors in the current training. Anytime there is lightning within 5 miles of the tower, climbing training stops. Inclement weather also hinders training. Any time training stops, the possibility of extending training exists, negatively impacting the mission.

The new 40-foot tower will be housed in the high-bay area of Matero Hall and will enable students to continue training despite inclement weather. Furthermore, the training schedule during the climbing portion will no longer have to be rearranged based on weather predictions, enabling students to receive training in the proper sequence.

In addition, the 338th TRS recently had the 85th EIS install tower-style ladders in several classrooms, giving students their first exposure to climbing. The ladders also enable students to learn basic climbing and safety skills and procedures in the classroom before their initial climb on a large tower, according to Staff Sgt. Richard Oliver, 338th airfield systems instructor. Previously, students used portable ladders or coat racks to learn initial skills such as tying knots, he said.

"These ladders give a more realistic feel to the climbing," said Sergeant Oliver. "They'll definitely be helpful."

"If the tower is installed and usable by January, as planned, we'll no longer need to use the 85th EIS tower," said Mr. Campbell. "However, it was an valuable training tool, allowing us to put climbing-certified Airmen in the career field 11 months earlier than if we had waited on completion of the Matero Hall tower."

"It's been a lot of work and a real team effort," said Lt. Col. John Thomas, 338th TRS commander. "Folks in the 338th are getting great cooperation from everyone on this, and why not? It saves money and improves mission effectiveness."