SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
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.