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375th AES renovates C-130 fuselage trainer for certification

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Garcia
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

The 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Scott Air Force Base renovated the C-130 fuselage trainer, making training on it fully certifiable.

The C-130 FuT doubles the 375th AES simulation training capability. It also provides an improved and cost-effective training platform for the AES medics and ground support personnel with respect to aircraft configuration familiarization.

Lt. Col. Catherine Bonhoff, 375th AES director of operations, said collaboration with mission partners such as Air Mobility Command/A3TR, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron, 375th Contracting Squadron, 375th Operations Support Squadron, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 502nd Trainer Development Squadron were crucial in the success of acquiring the FuT and its renovation.

“In conjunction with our (indoor) KC-135 Simulation Learning Center/Cargo Compartment Trainer, both training platforms provide our AE crew members two of the three primary aircraft used for aeromedical evacuation in a low-threat, high-fidelity capacity for clinical as well as operational exposure,” said Bonhoff. “The FuT allows for hands-on muscle memory of tasks such as: configuration, placement of in-flight kits, electrical, oxygen, and emergency egress.”

After being flown to Scott AFB in 2015 and towed to a concrete pad outside of the 375th AES building by the 375th OSS, the 502nd TDS worked to restore the FuT to be certified as a trainer.

“The 502nd TDS replaced emergency exit light fixtures, repaired the lamps, completely sealed all rooftop seams, replaced the failed hydraulic unit, and painted the entire exterior,” said Maj. Aimee Safford, 375th AES assistant director of operations. “Once the FuT met required specifications, AMC/A3TR inspected and certified it for ground, aircrew flight equipment, proficiency, and mission-specific training events.”

Before the renovations, Scott Airmen could train on the FuT but did not receive full credit for their activities.

Bonhoff explained, “The FuT now allows AE Airmen to accomplish standardized training requirements without departing from Scott AFB and to formally document time spent training, saving money on TDY costs. This also allows AMC to redirect flying hours to other units and missions.”

The 375th AES plans to advertise the FuT and the KC-135 CCT to other AE squadrons with the intent to attract mission partners to Scott AFB.

Safford said, “The Critical Care Air Transport Teams from the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland AFB, Texas, used both our FuT and CCT for training while they were staged here for hurricane relief earlier in September.”

The team also demonstrated their equipment setup on the FuT for Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Broadmeadow, U.S. Transportation Command’s deputy commander, and a local radio station when they visited Scott last month.

Safford said, “The FuT continues to be popular with distinguished visitors, STEM tours, and other visitors to showcase how the AE mission is carried out in a simulated setting.”