MacDill BOWSTs about saving millions

Published July 12, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Brandon Shapiro
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Saving millions, training more, and reducing maintenance costs; what was once a pipedream is now a reality at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

On July 12, 2013 MacDill cut the ribbon on the Air Force's fifth KC-135 Stratotanker Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer, initiating a savings of roughly 16 million dollars annually.

How is this possible?

The average operating flight cost for a three-hour KC-135 refuel training mission is just shy of $20,000, while the BOWST completes the same mission for a miniscule $900. Now, add the costs of the estimated 860 annual "sim" flights MacDill plans to forecast during fiscal year 2014, and $17 million is reduced by 95 percent.

What exactly is the BOWST?

The BOWST is a fully‐simulated, large‐scale procedural trainer for aerial refueling with replicated aircraft systems, controls, and functions within a complete aircrew boom compartment.

Add in the remarkable detailing, scaled design, mimicked refueling sounds, and the belly down refuel operating position, and even a seasoned operator forgets that they are on the ground and not soaring at 30,000 feet.

"All of the instruments are exactly the same, the BOWST is an amazing alternative," commented Senior Airman Travis Burnett, 91st Air Refueling Squadron boom operator. "This is as real as you can get."

Not only does the trainer make it possible to qualify "booms" more economically and efficiently-it allows instructors to input 68 possible in-flight emergencies and operating malfunctions.

"One of the greatest things about the BOWST is we can enter malfunctions and prepare the operators before they experience problems in the air," commented retired Chief Master Sgt. Jim Morman, a 30-year boom operator and quality assurance representative for the simulator. "It's all weather, day or night, and we can bring up any airplane that is air-refuelable in the Air Force inventory."

Currently, between MacDill's 6th Air Mobility Wing and 927th Air Refueling Wing, there are 48 boom operators, so having the BOWST will prove to be an extremely integral tool for training both the active duty and reserve Airmen.

"Bottom line...it's going to save a ton of money and create a better crew force," exclaimed Mormon.

Additional Information:

The Air Force contracted the construction of nine BOWSTs with the final four simulators to be delivered at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Grissom Joint Air Reserve Base, Ind., March Air Force Base, Calif., and Scott Air Force Base, Ill.