Ellsworth Airmen use sim to prepare for the future

  • Published
  • By Airman Donald Knechtel
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The 28th Operations Support Squadron recently upgraded one of its two weapons systems trainers, or simulators, with the Sustainment Block-16 integrated battle station at Ellsworth AFB.

The simulator helps aviators keep proficiencies up by performing upgrade training, emergency procedures and continuation training.

"The simulator is very important to the base mission - second only to the jet itself," said Col. Gentry Boswell, 28th Bomb Wing commander. "It augments our ability to do live training without burning jet fuel and allows us to practice all the mechanics, career source management and all the basic skills that enhance our flying capability in a much more cost-effective way."

Capt. Chris, 28th Operations Group chief weapons systems officer, noted each simulator is worth $17 million and costs roughly $500 per hour to run. On the other hand, the cost for a B-1 bomber is around $317 million, and nearly $59,000 per hour to run.

The SB-16, as it is commonly called, is a combination of three upgrades: the Vertical Situation Display Upgrade, adding LCD multi-function displays; a Fully Integrated Data Link, providing the capability to integrate into the current Link-16 network; and a Central Integrated System Upgrade, replacing an old display with new LCD multi-function displays.

With Ellsworth's B-1s at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, for modifications, updating the simulator allows aircrews to get hands-on training on the new technology prior the aircraft arrival in April, Chris added.

"We are one of the only communities in the few times in Air Force history where the simulator upgrade has actually preceded the aircraft," Boswell noted. "That's very important for us because it allows us to do all of the lead-in training in our simulator before the actual SB-16 jets arrive on station."

Sim sessions occur two to three times a week and can last anywhere between an hour and a half to four hours. This provides plenty of training time before the first upgraded B-1s roll in.

"Everybody here is going to have to go through this upgrade," Chris said. "This is a unique upgrade: because we don't have it on the jets here yet, we need this to maintain our proficiency."

Thanks to the updated sim, Ellsworth Airmen are able to train for the incoming upgraded B-1s, saving time and money for the Air Force.

"It's a game changer for us as it gives us modern avionics and controls which make us faster and more efficient," Boswell said. "It allows us to be on the link, which gives incredible situational awareness of everything going around the battlespace."