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Ramstein Airmen from the 37th Airlift Squadron recently participated in a two-day over-water category 1 training mission that took place over the Atlantic
Ocean Jan. 7 and 8.
Pilots upgrading to aircraft commander must participate in these types of missions while flying without available navigation aids.
“Each flight will consist of a crew comprised of an instructor and a flight pilot in upgrade training,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Wehner, 37th AS director of operations.
The flight training is in place to provide pilots with a realistic category 1 training scenario and is especially beneficial at this time of year.
“The winds out of the west make fuel planning a real challenge going to a small island destination without many available alternate fields to divert to,” Colonel Wehner said.
During the training missions, the aircraft departs from Ramstein and flies to Lajes Field, Azores. The squadron conducts two over-water training missions two times per quarter as a minimum requirement with an option for more training if required.
“Category 1 flights require very detailed flight planning,” Colonel Wehner said. “Things have certainly been made easier with GPS, but winds out over the ocean can create very interesting fuel planning scenarios.”
Although planning for the flight may be difficult, the training is a great opportunity for the pilots to experience the complicated winds.
“It is an excellent training opportunity,” said Capt. Matthew Wunderlich, 37th AS instructor pilot. “This mission requires prolonged flights over oceanic waters, which require a skill-set not normally exercised by C-130J pilots.”
Captain Wunderlich said the island destination of Lajes is renowned for its high winds, ultimately creating a challenging landing scenario for his student pilots.
“This is absolutely a good thing that the squadron does this,” Captain Wunderlich said. “The training opportunities gained from the perspective of the men and women of the 37th Airlift Squadron serves in the best interests of the wing. To train to these difficult standards makes us all better pilots and aircrew.”
