http://www.167aw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123162744
West Virginia Airmen Use C-130 As Trainer
By Staff Sgt. Sherree Grebenstein
West Virginia National Guard
MARTINSBURG, W.V., (8/17/09) - The 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia
Air National Guard is now officially home to the C-5 Galaxy, but another
aircraft can be found parked on the flight line.
And while the aircraft will never fly on another mission, it may just save
lives.
A C-130E Hercules destined for retirement to what is also known as the "bone
yard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Ariz., was diverted from
Ramstein Air Base in Germany last month for use by Airmen based here.
"That airplane will never fly again, but will continue to serve a purpose,"
said Col. Richard M. Robichaud, operations group commander for the 167th
Airlift Wing.
Airmen with the base's aeromedical evacuation squadron have already begun
using the decommissioned aircraft for egress training, which is designed to
get Airmen out of the C-130 as quickly as possible in case of an emergency.
Airmen Joseph Robert recently underwent egress training on the C-130 to
familiarize himself with the exit points of the aircraft which include three
overhead hatches and three side doors.
The young Berryville, Va., Airman found the hands-on training of learning
how to open the Aircraft's doors more beneficial than if he had to simulate
the procedure in a classroom environment.
"Once we get it (the C-130) all squared away, we'll be able to use it on
base for training," said Tech Sgt. Will Stuller, a flight instructor for the
aeromedical evacuation squadron.
Not having to simulate the inside of a C-130 inside a classroom or warehouse
will provide more realistic training for the medics, Stuller said.
Robichaud said the 1968 aircraft will be converted into a permanent training
simulator after having its wings and tail removed. He said it's projected to
be moved to the old engine area near Building 134 which is home to the
unit's aeromedical evacuation squadron.
The 167th Airlift Wing was able to secure $70,000 from the National Guard
Bureau to have the aircraft reconfigured for training use, Robichaud said.
Active duty Air Force C-130 depot maintenance workers from Robins Air Force
Base near Macon. Ga., are expected to spend four to six weeks starting at
the end of September removing the aircraft's wings and tail for conversion
into the simulator.
In the past, Robichaud said C-130 aircraft from the 130th Airlift Wing in
Charleston, W.Va., would fly on missions to the Martinsburg base and be used
for training by the aeromedical evacuation squadron. However, limited time
on the ground meant the medics had to fit their training in on the aircraft
crew's schedule.
Now with a permanent C-130 simulator at the base, medics as well as other
units can schedule training to fit around their own timeframe.
Robichaud said those assigned to the aeromedical evacuation squadron do over
50 percent of their annual requirement training on a static trainer such as
a C-130.
"This is the ideal training device for them," he said.
The operations group commander called the addition of the C-130 "a huge
benefit" for not only the aeromedical evacuation squadron, but any unit on
base that seeks training from it. Robichaud pointed out that recently the
Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms used the aircraft for training.
Lt. Col. Laurence Symenow, the aeromedical evacuation squadron's senior
health technician, spent the past two and a half years trying to secure a
C-130 for training purposes at the airbase. He said his efforts culminated
at the Pentagon level.
"Most (medical) training requirements can be simulated on the ground,"
Symenow explained.
Once fully configured, the medics will use the C-130 for various training to
include everything from learning where equipment can be plugged into on the
aircraft to how to configure it for patients that are transporting. A
surround-sound system will provide realistic aircraft noise as the
simulator's electrical system will be fully operational.
Symenow said egress training and aircraft familiarization are also essential
for the Airmen and will be addressed when they climb aboard the C-130.
He pointed out that the base's aerial port and fire department have already
expressed interest in training on the C-130.
Symenow said it's a win-win situation having the C-130 permanently available
for training at the 167th Airlift Wing.
He said the money saved by not requiring a C-130 to fly from Charleston
specifically for medics to train on is incentive enough.
"It will definitely be invaluable once we get it ready," said Master Sgt.
L.T. "Peppy" Smith, a flight examiner for the aeromedical evacuation
squadron.
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