Airmen "attack" training

  • Published
  • By Dan Hawkins
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The training of maintainers for the Air Force's aircraft attack control systems is the job of the staff at Sheppard's 365th Training Squadron Avionics Attack Control Systems apprentice course. The training mainly supports the F-15, F-16, B-1 and C-17 airframes, but is applicable to every airframe in the service's inventory.


After spending two months at Keesler AFB, Miss., for electronic fundamentals training, the students arrive at Sheppard to start 54 academic days in seven major blocks of training. Learning the basics of security, safety and technical orders is the first order of business on the curriculum.


The next three phases of the course use testing stations for the F-15, F-16 and B-1 airframes. The students learn about the pilot's heads-up display, electronic warfare principles such as detailed circuit analysis, and other critical functions such as power, cooling and routing.


Trouble-shooting is the final block in the course, where students use 3D computer simulations to virtually checkout and pinpoint fault isolation in the testing equipment.


Tim Scott, 365th TRS instructor, stressed the importance of using 3D computer technology to help students encounter situations they will see in the field.


"The students first learn the task they will be doing operationally on the equipment to give them a feel physically for what they will be doing," he said. "Once we have that down, we have computer simulations to give them repetition on the tasks and this allows us to use the (testing) equipment more effectively. The training is accomplished faster and is more focused on the individual."


Another important aspect of the computer technology is the $4 million price tag of each testing station. Using the computer simulations allows the equipment to "break" without actually damaging the training equipment.


Airman 1st Class Josue Gradillas, 365th TRS student, is excited about the opportunity to prepare himself to integrate into the operational side of the Air Force.


"I love the training here - it's great," he said. "You get to do more hands-on (training) and get a better understanding of what you will be doing in the field. It really prepares you for when you go operational."


Pride in service and putting sorties into the air is the payoff for Gradillas.


"I get to defend my nation," he said. "Doing it from the back shop preparing the aircraft to be successful and complete the mission."


Airman Andrew Georgeff, headed to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., after training, is happy he landed in the avionics career field.


"I like solving puzzles, so this goes right along with what I like to do," he said. "(The course) prepared me on all the machines so I will have a basic understanding of all the planes."


With classes programmed for six students, the course is scheduled to graduate 90 students in fiscal year 2012.


The Air Force Center of Excellence for Avionics training, the 365th TRS trains over 1,600 personnel annually in 11 avionics specialties.