Unique indoor training tower enhances airfield systems course

Published Aug. 4, 2009
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Construction is finished on a 40-foot tower in Matero Hall which provides an all-weather climbing training facility for airfield systems apprentice students in the 338th Training Squadron.

A team from the 85th Engineering Installation Squadron built the structure, which should be ready for use next week.

The 85th EIS has allowed the 338th TRS to use its 53-foot outdoor tower since June 2008, when trainers began to incorporate climbing instruction into the course.

The instruction prepares Airmen to safely perform periodic and corrective maintenance on equipment mounted on the towers, according to Terry Campbell, airfield systems training manager.

Previously, airfield systems personnel with a climbing mission attended a three-day climbing course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

The new structure in the bay area of Matero Hall is the first indoor training tower of its kind, according to Werner Lamm, 338th TRS training support chief.

"Weather has a big impact on our training schedule, which will no longer be the case when we can use Matero Hall," he pointed out.

When there's lightning within 5 miles of the outdoor tower, climbing training stops. In-clement weather also hinders training. Any time training stops, the possibility of extending training exists, negatively impacting the mission.

Now the climbing training won't have to be shifted based on weather predictions, enabling students to receive instruction in the proper sequence.

However, Mr. Campbell said the Maltby Hall tower "was a valuable training tool, allowing us to put climbing-certified Airmen in the career field much earlier than if we had waited on completion of the Matero Hall tower."

He noted that 166 students passed through the course in fiscal 2008, with an increase to 173 this year.

"We train Air Force, Air National Guard and foreign students," Mr. Campbell said. "With this addition to their training, our graduates will be more mission-ready than in the past."

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