HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Hill civilian and military Airmen who need ground transportation training now have an option other than real world driving thanks to a new simulator purchased by the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
“It’s a great training tool,” said Master Sgt. Stephen Baskiewicz, ground transportation section chief. “It provides the most realistic experience I’ve seen in helping drivers learn how to operate specialized vehicles before operating the real deal.”
The state-of-the-art simulator offers training on nearly 30 different vehicles, anything from fire trucks, police cars, buses, tractor trailers and military vehicles such as Humvees and MRAPs. The simulator offers about 150 preset scenarios and can generate nearly any driving condition imaginable, as trainers control variables such as weather, road conditions, visibility and malfunctions.
Three 55-inch screens and surround sound give trainees an interactive experience very similar to real world driving.
“The biggest thing this will do is get people used to a vehicle before getting in that vehicle,” said Chase Terry, vehicle operator training leader. “Their training will be so much more successful if they have general knowledge of how a vehicle works before actually trying to drive.”
Terry said the difference in driving ability between those who train on the simulator before driving and those who don’t is “mind blowing.”
“It’s crazy just how much they learn on this simulator and how proficient they become before even getting behind the wheel of a real vehicle,” he said.
The acquisition was spearheaded by Baskiewicz, who saw firsthand the advantages of a driving simulator while stationed at base with a simulator. The Air Base Wing approved his purchase proposal, and paid for the $140,000 machine. Baskiewicz estimates the simulator will provide the base a savings of $50,000 to $100,000 annually in preventive maintenance costs, fuels savings and accident repair costs.
The LRS plans on making the simulator available to anyone on base needing vehicle training. There will be an open house Jan. 30, where unit vehicle control officers and trainers can view the simulator and learn more about what it has to offer.
The simulator was purchased with Squadron Innovation Funds. These funds directly support innovative ideas pitched by Airmen, giving units the power to problem solve and make incremental, cutting-edge technological improvements without the having to rely on approval from leadership at the Pentagon.