FTU puts boomers in sky

Published Oct. 3, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Sean M. Crowe
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- (Editor's note: This is part two of a three-part series on boom operator training. Part one was published Aug. 29, 2013.)

After a three to 15 month period of fundamental courses, technical reviews, flight simulators and time in between classes, KC -10 Extender boom operator students earn the privilege of going on their first flight and performing air refueling operations without the safety net of a flight simulator.

The 305th Operations Support Squadron Formal Training Unit stands out in the boom operator training regimen as their first opportunity to actually get in the jet, cruise to high altitudes and practice air refueling.

FTU is unique because it's a practical application of the boom operators' skills as opposed to conceptual and simulated training.

FTU begins as instructor booms teach several weeks of classroom material to the student booms prior to flying to ensure the students know proper procedures and how to handle emergency situations.

"The difference between previous training and FTU is the weight of decisions," said Airman 1st Class Sterling Hogan, FTU student boom operator. "In Flight Safety (a previous training segment), we would do calculations and the only consequence for wrong answers are trying the problems again. A miscalculated fuel weight in a real scenario will throw off a flight engineer's calculations and could result in improper takeoffs and landings."

Hogan flew approximately 10 flights before flying his check ride which is an evaluation of a boom's performance, similar to a final test. Hogan has a rapport with his instructor that is relaxed enough for an optimal learning experience, while maintaining the professionalism expected of an Airman.

FTU provides an outlet for booms to feel out their duties while still ensuring a safe training environment. The booms spend a lot of their time talking with the instructor to ensure they are doing things right. Much of the subject matter taught is derived from conversation.

"As an FTU student, I do everything an operational boom does," said Hogan.

Student boom operators begin flying after finishing the classroom portion of FTU and reviewing everything learned up until that point.

"All student boom operators are nervous on their first flights," said Tech Sgt. Kenneth Essick, FTU instructor boom operator. "The flight is their trial to see how they will perform under the pressure of reality as opposed to simulators."

Booms fly a few local sorties until their instructor is confident enough in their abilities to allow them a check ride.

"The student goes on a recommend ride to ensure his or her knowledge is up to par before the check ride," said Staff Sgt. Keith McLaughlin, FTU instructor boom operator. "We push the booms to their limits so when it comes time to be evaluated, we know that they are fully prepared."

The instructor spends the whole time with the student during a mission, quizzing the boom operator on information to be expected during an evaluation to ensure he or she can handle any emergency scenario.

"Almost any FTU student boom operator can operate the boom well enough to accomplish the mission," said McLaughlin. "The real test is to see if they know how to handle an unplanned occurrence."

The check ride is a boom's final test in FTU as it is the last step before moving onto the cargo phase of training.

Instructor boom operators guide the student booms through operational tasks without holding their hands. The instructors act as more of a safety net and a fountain of personal expertise for the students to tap into.

An evaluator from the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron or 2nd ARS will ride along with a student boom operator without the instructor boom present. The evaluator ensures the student boom can perform all duties and display a prominent knowledge of the jet with little room for error.

"The students must become comfortable flying before we pass them along to the next portion of training," said Essick.

Upon passing the daunting evaluation check flight and earning a "qualified" or "qualified albeit errors" score, FTU student boom operators will graduate to the next portion of training, cargo phase.

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