Boom sim keeps Airmen proficient, saves millions
By Airman 1st Class Nicolo J. Daniello, 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
/ Published February 19, 2015
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Staff Sgt. Michael Weidman, 92nd Operations Support Squadron instructor boom operator, operates the boom simulator Feb. 17, 2015, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. This training gives boom operators the opportunity to practice emergency procedures without risking damage to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nicolo J. Daniello)
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Staff Sgt. Michael Weidman, 92nd Operations Support Squadron instructor boom operator, shows the screens of the operating station for the Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer Feb. 17, 2015, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The operating station controls the type of aircraft for refueling as well as viewing the boom instruments during simulation practices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nicolo J. Daniello)
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Staff Sgt. Michael Weidman, 92nd Operations Support Squadron instructor boom operator, conducts simulator training during a night air refueling simulation Feb. 17, 2015, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. More than 50 percent of their refueling operations take place at night. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nicolo J. Daniello)
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A first person point of view from the control panel of the Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer Feb. 17, 2015, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The BOWST is an inflight refueling training simulator that helps students become proficient in operating in a boom pod before they step into an actual refueling aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nicolo J. Daniello)
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Staff Sgt. Michael Weidman, 92nd Operations Support instructor boom operator, holds the Boom Operator System Trainer portable controller that also controls the same functions as the operating stations Feb. 17, 2015, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Settings can be inputted and controlled wirelessly with this device. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nicolo J. Daniello)
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Staff Sgt. Michael Weidman, 92nd Operations Support Squadron instructor boom operator, points to the contact indicator Feb. 17, 2015, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The indicator tells when the boom has made proper contact with the aircraft that it is refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nicolo J. Daniello)
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --
Regardless of tight budgets and limited training flights, Airmen must be able to develop critical skillsets in order for the Air Force to accomplish its missions. One way to do this is by using computer-based technology to create virtual training scenarios. Aerial refueling boom operators around the Air Force have one such platform - the Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer.
The BOWST is a simulator that educates Airman on air refueling aircraft boom operations. This training not only helps save the Air Force $35 million annually, it also provides boom operators the opportunity to practice emergency procedures without risking damage to aircraft.
Boom operators are able to continue their training and stay proficient throughout their careers with the BOWST, which features numerous settings to make refueling simulation as realistic as possible. The BOWST can simulate the refueling of an array of aircraft in a variety of weather conditions.
"We can simulate all kinds of weather scenarios and even turbulence, which is really important for us," said Staff Sgt. Michael Weidman, 92nd Operations Support instructor boom operator. "It can also simulate various cloud decks."
With the BOWST, Airmen are able to practice refueling operations on all Air Force planes, some U.S. Navy and Marine jets, such as the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier, as well as coalition and NATO nation aircraft, Weidman said.
Refueling an aircraft can take from a minimum of about five minutes to upwards of more than 30 minutes, and a KC-135 can transfer as much as 30,000 gallons of fuel in one flight.