8th Airlift Squadron ramps-up training before deployment

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  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Months of careful planning go into preparing for each deployment, ensuring aircrews are ready to accomplish the mission downrange. Training plays a large role in that preparation.

As the 8th Airlift Squadron prepares to deploy at the end of the month, squadron training officials are busy ensuring pilots and loadmasters current on their training before deploying.

"We starting looking at this six months ago," said 8th AS training manager Shon Zawada. "We had to look at things and forecast out."

While some of the training can be fulfilled in the base simulators, other training - such as high altitude tactical arrivals and certain night airdrops - must be accomplished in the actual airplane, Mr. Zawada said.

During standard operations, both flying sorties and simulator requirements are distributed evenly between the three flying squadrons. However, when preparing for a major deployment, a majority of the missions are shifted to the tasked squadron, said Maj. Doug Edwards, director of operations for the 8th AS.

The number of flying sorties for the 8th AS has tripled this month, and 95 percent of all simulator requirements have gone to the squadron, Major Edwards said.

If pilots aren't up to date on certain training before deploying, the mission can be jeopardized.

"There are certain items that they'll be grounded on," Mr. Zawada said.

To ensure mission success, 8th AS planners and schedulers are in constant contact with squadron members to make sure everyone is on track.

"It's a constant thing for (Airmen)," Mr. Zawada said. "(The training) is something they have to stay on top of."

Aircrews have been busy practicing maneuvers common on downrange missions such as air refueling, low-level flying and tactical takeoffs and landings, said 1st Lt. Christopher Blake, a co-pilot with the 8th AS.

"It's been more difficult with the short timeline," said Lieutenant Blake, who will be deploying for the first time. "Nothing is different as far as what people are doing, it's just they're doing it more than usual. People are working pretty hard."

Lieutenant Blake recently completed four local flying missions in one week.

"I'm very proud of the members of the 8th taking personal responsibility to ensure all of their pre-deployment requirements are met," Major Edwards said. "As the force has grown leaner, more weight now rests on the shoulders of our Airmen, and they've risen to the challenge without missing a beat."

With various crews flying across the country fulfilling Air Mobility Command missions, sometimes it's hard to complete specific training due to an instructor pilot not being on the flight, Mr. Zawada said.

A little shuffling of schedules and flexibility with available aircraft can result in aircrews are meeting requirements with great efficiency.

"I haven't had any problems," Mr. Zawada said. "We find a way to get it done."

And that's a fact that comes with the responsibility of the mission.

"We have a worldwide mission that's 24/7/365," Major Edwards said. "We've been tying up all the loose ends to ensure we're ready to go for an extended period of time."