Public Affairs, Volume 64, Number 17
April 28, 2017
New hypoxia trainer to save time, money and lives
Col. Scott Cain, 412th Operations Group commander, tries the new hypoxia trainer at the 412th Operations Support Squadron’s Aircrew Flight Equipment building April 20. The Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device will allow Edwards pilots and aircrew members to complete required training on recognizing their own unique symptoms of hypoxia and how to recover from them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kyle Larson)
By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
Edwards pilots and aircrew members may be able to breathe easier knowing they don’t have to go to another base anymore for required hypoxia training. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held April 20 to introduce a new Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device and Hypoxia Familiarization Trainer as part of aircrew flight equipment in Bldg. 1250. The new system takes the place of an altitude chamber, which Edwards used to have when the SR-71 Blackbird flew here. Since the hypobaric chamber closed over a decade ago, all aircrew have had to go to other locations to receive this training.
“All aircrew need to have this training once every five years and it is a grounding item; if they don’t have the training, they are grounded and cannot fly,” said Maj. Maggie Coppini, 412th Medical Group aerospace physiologist. “By having this device here at Edwards, we are providing a (local) ability to train our aircrew instead of having to send them temporary duty for this training. We will be saving the 412th Test Wing approximately $70,000 annually in TDY expenses by being able to provide the training ourselves.” Coppini said F-35 and F-22 pilots have to complete hypoxia training once a year and a need was identified to have a trainer at Edwards. She presented the idea to the 412th Operations Group commander, Col. Scott Cain, who approved the purchase of the system. People can experience hypoxia when there is an oxygen deficiency. In airplanes, this can happen with a loss of cabin pressure or equipment failure. There are three components to the new training system. The Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device is used with the Hypoxia Familiarization Trainer, which is a quasi-flight simulator for pilots. The ROBD is also used with the Mission Crew Trainer, which is designed for non-pilot aircrew members such as load masters, test engineers and boom operators. Coppini said the ROBD works by changing the composition of breathing air to mimic altitudes up to 34,000 feet, making the aircrew member hypoxic by giving less oxygen than is needed to maintain deliberate thinking and motor skills. The oxygen flows through an aviator mask worn by the pilot or aircrew member. “The ROBD provides more realistic training than an altiSee Hypoxia, page 3
Lightning strikes first
The Lightning Team of the 461st Aircraft Maintenance Unit took the First Quarter Weapons Load Competition title, which was held April 3 at Hangar 1600. Staff Sgt. Bobby Ambrose, Staff Sgt. Jason Bucholtz and Senior Airman Elijah Robinson competed against weapons crews from Team Raptor of the 411th Aircraft Maintenance Unit; the Pirates of the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron’s Aircraft Maintenance Unit; and the 416th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Falcons. The teams were graded on their procedures and precision while loading a Joint Direct Attack Munition on their assigned fighter jets. The Lightning team loaded a GBU-31 into the internal weapons bay of an F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The load crew competition showcased the efficiency of load crew teams to safely and reliably arm a fighter jet within time constraints. The ability to quickly and safely load an aircraft with munitions is integral to provide combat-ready jets to combatant commanders. The competition tested the Airmen with a uniform inspec-
(U.S. Air Force photo by Kyle Larson)
tion, tool box inspection, a written test on loading operations and safety and their skill to load munitions in a safe, reliable and timely manner.