Page 1 - Desert Lightning News October 2015

9RO1R Serving Southern Arizona’s military community, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base October 2, 2015

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New trainer provides huge benefits for Compass Call crews

55th Wing Public Affairs ulator, which was not cost efficient. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
“We’re putting less wear and tear on our
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Compass Call is the designation for a modified version of
Ariz. -- After nearly five years in the works, the fleet and we no longer have to send two crews Lockheed corporation’s EC-130H Hercules aircraft configured
55th Electronic Combat Group’s EC-130 Com- a month to McChord, which adds up through- to perform tactical command, control and communications
pass Call flight deck simulator went fully opera- out the year,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dean countermeasures. Specifically, the modified aircraft uses noise
tional in June. Balstad, 42d ECS assistant director of operations. jamming to prevent communication or degrade the transfer
“In addition, there were multiple challenges such of information essential to command and control of weapon
The new $35 million weapons system trainer as a dissimilar cockpit, flight profiles were not systems and other resources. It primarily supports tactical air
allows 55th ECG aircrew and maintenance mem- Compass Call missions and the IOS instructors operations but also can provide jamming support to ground
bers to perform multiple types of annual training were not familiar with our airframe at all.” force operations. Modifications to the aircraft include an elec-
without ever prepping an aircraft for a mission or tronic countermeasures system, air refueling capability and as-
leaving the installation. The ability to create the new simulator from sociated navigation and communications systems.
the ground up enabled the 55th ECG to custom-
“This has been a long time coming for the ECG ize it to fit their needs exactly. “We have some really innovative Airmen and
and is a huge benefit to not only the 55th Wing, I’m confident they’ll continue to find more and
but also the Air Force and combatant commands,” “It is an exact replica of a Compass Call aircraft,” more ways this weapons system trainer can ben-
said U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing Balstad said. “As far as mission set, we were able to get efit our group,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Ryan Rog-
commander. “Given the high operations tempo programming built to allow us to perform our check- ers, 55th ECG commander. “For instance, the
of the ECG, this trainer will ensure our crews are lists and actually do aerial refueling with a tanker from 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was able
ready to bring the full effect of electronic combat to our rendezvous checklist through the post-air-refuel- to certify a maintenance member on engine run
any combatant commander around the world, but ing checklist. We couldn’t do that at McChord.” procedures and associated emergences in the
also reduce our reliance on aircraft for training.” WST, with the help of (simulator) instructors.
The cost of operating an EC-130 for a six hour
Plans for the new WST have been in the works training mission is $26,400, while the cost of run- “This trainer will undoubtedly pay off for us
since 2010 with acquisition and construction starting ning the WST is $7,800. In addition, reducing as we continue to support missions around the
in 2012. The system was delivered in late 2014, online time spent in the seat of the aircraft and utilizing world,” he added.
by March and fully operational in June of this year. the WST should help maintainers keep the Com-
pass Calls mission ready.
“Flight testing and discrepancy reporting pro-
cess occurred in February and the first group “The WST should increase the lifespan of the
of seven instructor operating station operators EC-130 wing-box because the aircraft is not flying
received training the first week of March,” said continuously for the same amount of training,”
Garret Goff, 42d Electronic Combat Squadron said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rachel Lemoine,
EC-130H simulator site manager. 42nd ECS EC-130H simulator superintendent.
“By utilizing the WST, it decreases the hours put
Previously, maintainers had to ensure one of on the airframe and engines as well.”
the unit’s 14 EC-130s was available for training
or members of the unit had to go to Joint Base And while the unit is already enjoying the up-
Lewis-McChord, Washington, to fly in their sim- front benefits of the WST, they are certain there
will be more to come in the future.

Air Force Ball: Davis-Monthan through time

Airman 1st Class Ashley N. Steffen More than 750 military members attended He also touched on the history of Davis-Mon-
the ball wearing the Air Force mess dress uni- than, and the A-10’s impact on foreign lands.
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs forms and semi-formal attire, while their guests
wore gowns and tuxedos. The emcees for the event, Capt. Katherine
DAVIS MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Martin, 355th Fighter Wing special victims coun-
Ariz. -- Davis-Monthan Air Force Base held an Lt. Gen. Chris Nowland, 12th Air Force (Air sel, and Staff Sgt. Carley Bolitho, 12th AF cyber
Air Force Ball at the Tucson Convention Center, Forces Southern) commander, was the guest systems administrator, provided entertainment
Ariz., Sept. 12. The ball is an annual Air Force speaker; and spoke of the sacrifices made by not through skits and musical numbers that por-
tradition to celebrate the heritage and history of just Airmen, but by their spouses and children. trayed the history of Davis-Monthan AFB.
the U.S. Air Force.