JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- A collaboration between the Inter-American Air Forces Academy and the Air Mobility Command is delivering a major leap forward in optimizing training for the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course at the 318th Training Squadron.
Leaders from the 37th Training Wing and IAAFA attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony April 3 to commemorate the acquisition of new, upgraded software and equipment that aims to make training more efficient and more adaptable than ever.
“While structurally it’s the same, its functionality and accuracy have been significantly improved,” said Mateo Gonzalez, AMOC instructor.
The acquisition was a result of a collaborative effort between IAAFA and AMC which enabled the Expeditionary Operations School to share its resources. The new program features a wireless system offering more adaptive and resilient instruction than the one previously used.
Recently, AMOC instructors traveled to EOS at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to see the simulator up close. The subject matter experts from the three bases where the simulator is used, which includes Sheppard AFB, have collaborated for years exchanging ideas and coordinating future requirements.
“We got together to try to build one simulator for all three that can cover all the different aspects or different requirements that we want individually,” Gonzalez said.
The result was a success.
“It’s just much more stable,” said Master Sgt. Jeremy Sampson of the 423rd Training Squadron. Sampson traveled from JB MDL to set up the new program at the 318 TRS, which he explained is much easier to operate.
“You don't have to have all these cables running across. With the old sim, if one student kicked the cable, the sim is dead…you're done for the day. With the new program, I can boot it right back up and run it. It's a lot more user friendly being able to do injects, take things away, add things.”
The new system – developed over the years – is web-based and more mobile than the previous one, dramatically improving set up time and improving transport for mobile training teams.
“While our SIM program has been used in-country before, this updated version is significantly lighter, greatly simplifying transportation and execution for mobile training teams,” Gonzalez said.
Thanks to this modernization effort, instructors can now build and adjust training scenarios in real-time based on student experience level. Environmental variables such as weather conditions can also be integrated to enhance realism and decision making.
Sampson explained that his visit to IAAFA highlighted the organization’s dedication to training.
“Their commitment was evident, and it's clear that working together will benefit us all. This partnership goes beyond just a simulator; it's about building lasting relationships and investing in the future of airpower. By collaborating, we not only enhance our individual capabilities, but also strengthen the collective security of our partners in the region and globally.”
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