RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Innovative training solutions developed at the 563rd Flying Training Squadron are in use at many locations worldwide.
So it's not surprising that the 563rd FTS - a unit that commander Lt. Col. Chris Wellborn described as a "test bed" unit where new teaching methods and training modules and equipment are developed - recently earned a Learning Innovation Award from Air Education and Training Command.
One of the award-winning innovations mentioned in the nomination paperwork was the squadron's Simulation Development Laboratory, or SDL.
It's a joint 563rd FTS and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency collaboration that houses various ground and air simulations that the squadron's student combat systems officers and student electronic warfare officers use in training.
Those simulations include the Air Combat Environment Airborne CSO trainer, the A-10C Desktop Simulator, the Ground Combat Environment simulation, the AC-130 Sensor Suite and finally, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Signals Intelligence Trainer.
"This center of excellence provides a venue," Colonel Wellborn said, "for operators and engineers from both the Department of Defense and industry to work side-by-side to develop realistic and accessible training simulation."
The SDL has apparently had an impact beyond training missions flown at Randolph.
Simulations developed for and used in the SDL were requested for use in other Air Force units - including the intelligence school at Goodfellow AFB, Texas, the 36th Electronic Warfare Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla., the 58th Training Squadron at Kirtland AFB, N.M., and the Maryland Air National Guard.
Additionally, the SDL's "Real World" simulation was listed in the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Resource Repository and was recognized as an Air Force "Best Practice."
Also, in response to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz's vision for the Air Force CSO training program, the 563rd FTS produced a $7.7 million pre-planned improvement for the T-25 Electronic Combat Simulator. That came about when squadron instructors worked with civilian computer programmers and engineers on prototype software models. In doing so, the time from identifying software issues to implementing a solution was reduced 65 percent.
New missions were also introduced into the electronic warfare curriculum and as a result, never-before-taught skill sets - to include radar operations with HOTAS controls, visual navigation and defensive response and realistic weapons employment were learned by student CSOs and EWOs.
"These improvements were designed and implemented in record time due to on-site mission scripting and instructor validation," Colonel Wellborn commented.
Other achievements included developing the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fundamentals Course that trains recently-winged pilots on basic airmanship and operational sensor usage. It was stood up in less than nine weeks and cost less than $1 million per phase.
Also, the 563rd was recognized for working with Air Force Special Operations Command to craft an electronic warfare officer trainer - for $500,000 - and develop an AC-130 sensor operator trainer.
Finally, the award lauded the 563rd for developing a Joint Mission Planning System, now being evaluated as a sortie rehearsal debriefing tool for the Air Force's Weapons School, the Joint Electronic Warfare Center and the Air Force Institute of Technology.
The Air Combat Environment CSO Trainer enhances the T-43 trainer, which was developed to teach basic radar mechanics and TACAN/VOR navigation.
The ACE is used by student EWOs on cross-country trips to teach concepts by dividing offensive, defensive and surveillance duties between three student officers in a dynamic and robust threat environment.
All of the student actions are accurately modeled and measured by the software, which uses data from various government intelligence agencies.
"And all of this simulation is done at no cost beyond the cost of the off-the shelf procured equipment," Colonel Wellborn added.
The colonel praised the hard work shown by his innovative instructors.
"The instructors of the 563d FTS have shown great initiative and superior 'out-of-the-box' thinking by finding endless practical applications for our simulation technology," the colonel said."They absolutely deserve to be recognized - and AETC rewarded them for their innovation and dedication to the training mission."