Training device saves money, possibly lives

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. David Liapis
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  The 366th Fighter Wing commander joined the more than 100 fighter aircrew who have been trained here using the Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device. Among the trainees are aircrew personnel from Mountain Home, Gowen Field and the Oregon Air National Guard.

Col. Ron Buckley recently climbed aboard the ROBD, which allows pilots and weapons system officers to experience the effects of hypoxia, a lack of oxygen in the body that can result in unconsciousness. Symptoms of hypoxia include headache, nausea, fatigue, visual impairment, euphoria, tingling and unconsciousness within ten minutes.

The ROBD has been operational at the 366th Fighter Wing since January 2010. It produces an environment where users develop symptoms they would experience at 25,000 feet in an unpressurized environment, without having to use an altitude chamber.

"The symptoms are exactly what I experienced when I went through the altitude chamber," said Col. Buckley after completing the ROBD training. "It's a great leap in technology for our aircrews."

The ROBD provides essentially the same training as an altitude chamber, but with significantly less cost and impact. Aircrews don't have to go TDY or deal with the physiological after-effects that prevent them from flying for 12 hours after decompression, said Col. Buckley.

"This whole unit is about $20,000, compared to an altitude chamber which is about $1 million," said Maj. Joseph Pugliese, 366th Medical Group Aerospace and Operational Physiologist.

Training using the ROBD not only costs less than the altitude chamber, but also allows aircrews the benefit of using a flight simulator capable of simulating multiple airframes at many locations. Crews can fly the F-15E Strike Eagle and A-10 Thunderbolt, aircraft flown here and at Gowen Field in Boise.

"The ROBD is more cost effective and realistic. The chamber takes about an hour to an hour-and-a-half. The ROBD takes about five to ten minutes," said Staff Sgt. Maria Paucar, 366th Medical Group Aerospace Operational Technician.
Aerospace Operational Physiologists and technicians throughout the Air Force use the ROBD, along with physiology and human factor academics, to train fighter and bomber aircrews. This training is required every five years for all Air Force aviators.

"The goal of the ROBD is to enhance the ability of aircrew to detect the symptoms of hypoxia during flight and take actions to prevent deadly mishaps," said Maj. Pugliese.

"Once the symptoms are recognized, the aircrew member must demonstrate the corrective course of action outlined in their emergency procedure checklist," said Maj. Pugliese. "This training has proven to be an effective means of simulating the threat of hypoxia in a controlled setting."

Col. Buckley agrees.

"It's very realistic," the commander stated. "It's one of those things you have to experience, and you go, 'I've felt this before. Oh! I know what this is.' Whereas if you've never had this training, you may just go, 'I have this feeling and I don't know why.' Now we know why - and how to take care of it."