Page 9 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, April 2, 2021

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Nellis invests in pilots with
NATO AWACS provides Human Weapons Systems Program

‘EyES iN ThE Sky’

by Airman First Class Zachary Rufus
before problems occur, so were better able to handle
Nellis AFB, Nev. or neck problem, we’re already training to be stronger
during Red Flag 21-2 When people think of pilots, the first things that may the stresses.”
The Human Weapons System Program was brought
come to mind are movies like Top Gun and Black Hawk to Nellis and across all of Air Combat Command, Pa-
at Nellis Down. Cool theme music playing in the background cific Air Forces and United States Air Forces in Europe
while pilots slowly walk up to their intimidating aircraft.
– Air Forces Africa to address the back and neck pain
To be fair, all of those things are true - except for the issues pilots were having from pulling high G-forces.
music, but what’s untold is the intense physical stress “This program can help pilots fly the missions
they’re supposed to, for longer periods of time during
their career, without being injured or grounded,” said
Cruichshank. “We love flying and we want to do it for
as long as possible”
Due to a number of fighter pilots leaving the Air
Force on account of issues pilots were having from
G-forces they were experiencing in flight, retired Gen.
David Goldfein, the 21st chief of staff of the U.S. Air
Air Force photographs by Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus Force, introduced this program to increase fighter pilot
Lt. Col. Eric “Raid” Otto, F-22 Raptor pilot assigned to the retention.
433rd Weapons School, and Alia Ware, a contracted athletic Retention is critical because of the massive invest-
trainer from LMR Technical Group, administers a resisted ment of resources it takes to train a combat-ready pilot
external rotation exercise to Otto at Nellis Air Force Base, and because the Air Force needs its experienced pilots
Nev., March 2, 2021. Trainers administer preventive care to take on advanced leadership and management roles.
based on movement assessments administered to pilots. The Air Force is investing in its future by investing in
Air Force photograph by William R. Lewis
A NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) assigned to the NATO Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&C Force) at Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, its pilots.
Germany, takes-off during Red Flag 21-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., March 12, 2021. The E-3A AWACS aircraft is an aircraft with integrated command and control battle pilots’ bodies endure once they leave the ground. “A lot of the pain from flying is caused by the posi-
management, surveillance, target detection and tracking platform. Pilots experience anywhere up to 9 Gs of force while tions that we sit in. It leads to the body compensating
executing aerial maneuvers. At 9 Gs, a 200-pound pilot, and building muscle in places that aren’t natural for
with gear that typically weighs 30 pounds, experiences the human body,” said Capt. Brad Sullivan, F-15E pilot
by Airman First Class Zachary Rufus over 2,000 pounds of force on their body. assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron.
Nellis AFB, Nev. The Air Force has recently recognized its pilots “Since I have been regularly seeing my trainer, I have
as “human weapons systems,” thus implementing a had little to no pain over the last three months.”
Service members from seven NATO member nations program that brought in contracted athletic trainers,
Trainers administer preventive care based on move-
were recently at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., support- strength coaches and massage therapists from LMR ment assessments administered to pilots.
ing Red Flag 21-2 to test and sharpen their abilities in Lt. Col. Eric “Raid” Otto, F-22 Raptor pilot assigned to the Technical Group to help relieve some of the symptoms “When pilots come back and tell me that their pain
countering threats while building a cohesive protocol 433rd Weapons School, performs a Functional Movement pilots experience from flying. level is reducing and their mobility is improving, that
for real-world events. Screening assessment at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., March “The idea behind the program is the preventive is what is most rewarding to me,” said Alia Ware, con-
“For decades, Red Flag has been the world’s premier 2, 2021. The Human Weapons System Program addresses maintenance,” said Maj. Clayton “Red Beard” Cruich-
tracted athletic trainer from LMR Technical Group.
air combat training environment,” said Maj. Stephen back and neck pain issues pilots experience from pulling shank, F-15C pilot assigned to the 433rd Weapons “Being able to help the people who serve our country
Wahnon, Tactical Director and NATO AWACS Red high G-forces. School. “Rather than waiting until someone has a back is more than I could ever ask for.”
Flag Detachment commander.
The detachment operates a Boeing 707 derived E-3A
Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) test, from Page 1 fly through the satellite [connection], as critical role as the 432nd WG/432nd AEW ity of the program to various landscape
aircraft equipped with a state-of-the-art long-range opposed to those of us who fly through leans into ACE concepts for future fights. challenges. The team knew if they could
radar, covering a surveillance area of more than 120,000 men of the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Ex- the direct line-of-sight frequencies. The more compact the airpower package, overcome this, then they would be able
square miles, which is roughly the size of Poland. peditionary Wing: To provide enhanced “Physically it would be capable by the the more flexible the Hunters will be to to implement ATLC almost anywhere.
“Every single sortie our unit has flown has provided a capabilities to forward deployed loca- end of this year,” he continued. employ Reapers anywhere the mission The future of the 432nd WG/432nd
tough tactical problem to solve in the mission planning tions via more agile launch and recovery However, it will ultimately take a syn- demands, at any time. AEW’s utility of ATLC is yet realized;
process, and the Aggressors have replicated a formi- Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus operations, faster employment of RPA as- chronized effort to accelerate the fielding Members of the 556th TES have been however, the Hunters stand able and
dable adversary during the execution,” said Wahnon. NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) crew members walk to board the aircraft at Nellis Air Force sets, and a reduced manpower footprint, of ATLC in order to ensure crews receive working with General Atomics, Air Com- ready to adapt for more agile combat
“Each of these challenges provides an opportunity to Base, Nev., March 11, 2021. NATO’s participation in Red Flag 21-2 is integral to the training mission that assists in readiness which ultimately ensures more Airmen training, both in maintenance and opera- bat Command, and the 432nd Operations employment on behalf of combatant
learn and grow as tactical operators through the debrief and allows the 414th Combat training Squadron to train, instruct and lead its Airmen, Allies and partners. are kept out of harm’s way. tions, and truly be operational. Currently, Group to make auto takeoff and landing commanders.
process.” Retired Lt. Col. Keith Turner, 556th both aircrew and maintenance are read- a success here at Creech AFB. This test is the latest of MQ-9 ad-
NATO’s mission is to protect the peace and freedom solvers with the ability to correct decision-making mission success. It’s very impressive and powerful to TES lead test pilot, said he was glad to ily trained to deploy for the launch and Many months of planning, coordina- vancement efforts conducted by the 53rd
of all its participating nations and provide the possibil- under incredible pressure. witness every Red Flag,” he added. see the ATLC implemented; even though recovery missions downrange, but once tion, and training went into making these Wing’s 556th Test and Evaluation Squad-
ity to act united when needed. “Confidence under fire is one of Red Flag’s priori- With mobility as an airborne warning and control more testing and training is required ready to shift to ATLC, LRE aircrew can tests possible. ron. In September 2020, the 556th TES
“We supply coordination and communication be- ties,” said Col. William Reese, 414th Combat Training system, the E-3A has a greater chance of surviving before it is fully mission capable and anticipate a decreased demand for those The biggest challenge and opportu- conducted operational test and tactics
tween the flying elements,” said German Air Force Squadron commander. “We purposely focus on new in warfare than a fixed, ground-based radar system. realized operationally in its desired end- deployments. nity? Terrain. development sorties that showcase the
Capt. Christoph “Zulu” Zurman, a pilot assigned to mission commanders and wingmen to put them in Among other things, E-3A can quickly change its flight state. This test was a key initial step in “ATLC will reduce the 432nd Wing’s “I worked directly with General Atom- Reaper’s ability to carry eight AGM-114
Flying Squadron 1. “We supply passive detection and difficult, non-permissive environments, to see how path according to mission and survival requirements. that process and will now accelerate the deployed footprint, and will create a ics to create a pattern here at Creech,” said Hellfire missiles, reinforcing the plat-
radar. Lastly, we supply the needed knowledge of Air- they’ll perform. We will shoot at them, distract them The NATO E-3A AWACS provides battle manage- MQ-9 towards its goal to fundamentally fundamental change in our force pre- Eric Christensen, 556th TES unit project form’s “persistent attack” role, as well as
borne Early Warning (AEW), so aircrews can learn how and prevent them from accomplishing their mission ment and command and control to Red Flag 21-2 and change how it conducts operations. sentation,” said Maj. Alexander, 432nd officer. “There’s a lot of mountains around took a large stride forward for the MQ-9’s
to utilize our abilities to the greatest extent, getting a objectives in a safe and secure environment. has participated in all of the mission set, both offensive “This summer we’re testing the next Operations Group chief of standardiza- the airfield, so I worked with them to cre- relevance in Great Power Competition
more synchronized and cooperative team across joint “Early on, they make a lot of mistakes; however, and and defensive. software drop, and we’ll be doing a thor- tion and evaluations. “We will be a more ate a pattern that will keep the aircraft safe when they successfully engaged a sur-
operations.” as a true testament to the advantage we have with the “We’re grateful for the opportunity to train among ough test for the automatic takeoff and compact and agile force, making it harder from the terrain.” rogate cruise missile with an AIM-9X
Red Flag exercises strive to increase the interoper- quality of our U.S. and coalition Airmen, they learn our partnered nations to strengthen not only our tacti- land,” Keith said. “Soon after that, we’ll for adversaries to target us.” Ultimately, one of the truest tests of during the Advanced Battle Management
ability of U.S. and allied forces to create agile problem- rapidly and overcome all of these obstacles achieving cal edge but our strategic resolve,” said Wahnon. start practicing with mission crews who The agility of the force will play a autonomy are the adaptation capabil- System Demo 2.