JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.-- -- Recently Air Mobility Command announced the move of the Weapons Instructor Course in 2017 from Joint Base McQuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., a move that is anticipated to save the government $12 million annually.
The 57th Weapons Squadron and the C-17 WIC will relocate to JBLM by the summer of 2017 and aligns with one of the Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James’ priorities of making every dollar count.
“We will gain the 57th WPS along with its tremendous cadre and staff.” said Col. Leonard Kosinski, 62nd Airlift Wing commander. “While it is not a large squadron in numbers of personnel, it is an incredibly capable force multiplying unit that is a welcome addition to JBLM.”
“The C-17 WIC move furthers the already tremendous Joint Warfighter capabilities here at JBLM. This is a premier course and can better enable our training and joint exercises due to the experience and cutting-edge tactical innovations out of the weapons school.
“This will save millions of dollars since JBLM previously was tasked with sending C-17 aircraft and maintenance personnel to JBMDL to support the course. We will be better able to utilize the C-17 tails and also leverage the experience of the C-17 instructors for Team McChord training and exercises.”
Historically, each year, two-five month classes were conducted which would produce 12 active duty and reserve component weapons officers but the squadron had no dedicated aircraft assigned and the classes required three to four C-17’s to conduct the training missions.
For several years JBLM has provided support for this course by providing the aircraft and the maintenance needed.
“Since we [62nd Maintenance Group] took over the support of the WIC, our overall manpower has decreased but our deployments have remained unchanged which means we have to do more than less,” said Lt. Col. Mark Szatkowski, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. “Moving the WIC to JBLM will create a more stable environment for the MXG members as they can produce the missions from the home environment versus a 60-day temporary duty assignment to JBMDL.
“The WIC moving to JBLM will be relatively seamless to the technician on the flight line. There will be a slight increase in training missions to support the school house, however we will receive the manpower and aircraft back to accomplish this workload.”
According to Szatkowski this move is going to provide a stable environment for JBLM personnel as they will no longer have to do 60-day rotations to JBMDL, which equates to Airmen having more time with their families.
“The Air Force will save $700 thousand annually on TDY costs in addition to cost savings from not ferrying aircraft from the west to the east coast,” said Szatkowski. “Scheduling effectiveness increases and efficiencies are gained through a more robust aircraft selection process as the pool grows since we will integrate the school house flying schedule with ours and have JBLM’s entire C-17 fleet to choose from”
For the aircrews of McChord Field, this move will be just as beneficial as it is to the MXG personnel.
“It is an opportunity for our aircrews to train alongside the C-17’s doctorate level employment course,” said Lt. Col. Brian Smith, 62nd Operation Group deputy commander. “It acknowledges this unique training environment we have in the Pacific Northwest and provides exceptional opportunities with western U.S. Air Force and joint services.
“Overall, the 62nd Airlift Wing is excited to work with the 57th WS to build our nation’s best C-17 aircrews.”