Combat Aircraft – September 2019

said: ‘Here the students learn about

datalinks, emergencies and operational

missions — things that are speci c to RPA

environments.’

Future MQ-9 pilots then proceed to

Holloman AFB, New Mexico. ‘We have one

of the fastest-rate pipelines within the

DoD,’ said Oswald. ‘From the time a student

shows up at Randolph to being fully

operational takes about one-and-a-half

years.’ The 558th FTS utilizes instructors

who have a wide range of backgrounds,

from F-16 to C-17. ‘We [use] every

opportunity we get to assess what we can

do to shorten the training, for example by

using virtual reality.’

With all of its work conducted in

simulators — around 40 ‘missions’ — it’s

a training squadron that isn’t impeded by

aircraft availability or weather, for example.

Embracing technology

AETC has extended simulator work

through Virtual Reality Flight Simulation

(VRFS) and the USAF has been proactive

in embracing new technology to help

realize e ciencies. ‘At the 12th FTW, we

started using some of this VR technology

during the spring of 2018,’ said Col

Robinson. ‘We have been training pilots

the same way for a long time and are

thinking about how to improve our

training by using new technologies. What

we at the 12th FTW are concerned about

is how you instruct in VR. This might

a ect the number of  ying hours in the

future, but for now this is hard to predict.

What we don’t know is what events

might be more suitable for training on

the ground or in the air.’

One of the major developments on the

horizon for Randolph is the new T-X trainer

from Boeing, which will ultimately replace

the T-38. ‘T-X will be a game-changer,’ said

Robinson. ‘At least at Randolph AFB there

has not been a  nal determination when

the 12th FTW will receive its  rst aircraft.

As the 12th FTW trains instructors for pilot

training bases it’s logical that it will come

to Randolph  rst. A term of  ve years is

logical, but it’s likely that the 12th FTW will

see the T-X much sooner.’

Above: In a

bid to improve

squadron

culture, fl agship

aircraft are

becoming

commonplace

within training

units. This T-6A

is operated by

the 559th FTS at

Randolph. USAF/

Shelby Pruitt

This image:

The 560th

FTS ‘Chargin’

Cheetahs’

fl agship T-38C

was painted

to resemble an

F-4 Phantom

II for the

45th annual

Freedom Flyer

Reunion in

March 2018.

The 99th FTS at Randolph AFB

operates the T-1A Jayhawk in

the combat systems offi cer

training role.

Aircraft handling at Randolph

is carried out by contractors,

a standard procedure across

training units.

http://www.combataircraft.net // September 2019 35

30-35 Randolph Training C.indd 35 18/07/2019 13:46