372nd TRS, Det 18: providing high quality aircraft maintenance training

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kenneth Shinn
  • 372nd Training Squadron

Unit: Field Training Detachment 18, 372nd Training Squadron

 Location: Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia

 Mission: To provide high quality aircraft maintenance training to sustain the combat capability of the   1st FW/192nd FW Air National Guard.

Staff: 17 Active Duty

 What We Do:

                Field Training Detachment 18 instructors are dedicated to further enhancing the highly skilled Airmen at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.  They provide the base with advanced technical training that leads to the direct support of the 1st FW’s first F-22 bombing campaign strike.  Instructors educate Airmen across eight AFSCs.  The 17 active duty staff members all play an essential role in setting a concrete training foundation for the entire F-22 maintenance community.

 Langley is the only detachment in the Air Force that offers F-22 Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) field training.  NDI students come from the host unit and TDY from all F-22 bases.  Master Sgt. Hayes, NDI instructor, said, “I feel great knowing that I can be such a crucial asset to the F-22 community by providing NDI field training for Airmen across the globe.” Hayes is a great example of the how Det 18 is leading the charge in training our Airmen.  He was recently recognized by the 82nd Training Wing IG inspection team as a superior performer during a vertical inspection.

The instructors at Langley are continuously looking for innovative ways to train and inspire our Airmen.  Det 18 features an innovative training program for F-22 crew chief students.  Crew Chief instructors take and develop new 3-level Airmen and qualify them on 5-level tasks.  This not only accelerates the qualification time for these Airmen, but also frees up manpower on the flight line.  This program has helped build a strong host unit relationship.  The Detachment Chief, Senior Master Sgt. David Bruening said, “The flight chiefs at both aircraft maintenance units have expressed a high level of confidence in our host training sessions.  Airmen who have completed the program have shown a high level of knowledge at an expedited rate as a result of the program.”

                Det 18 features a Ground Instructional Training Aircraft (GITA) aircraft for training today’s Airmen for tomorrow.  The GITA 4005 plays a vital role Langley’s training program.  Additionally, the det is equipped with an ejection seat and canopy trainer and multiple training engine units.  These assets allow students from multiple AFSCs to get a real, hands-on experience without the downtime cost of an operational F-22.  The Langley detachment graduates approximately 300 students per year.