OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Virtual Reality is a fast growing technology, especially amongst Millennials and Generation Z, and now it is making its way into military training.
The 55th Communications Group acquired a virtual reality kit in September 2018 from 25th Air Force to be used by units ready to offer innovative and unique training methods for the new generation of Airmen.
“We are trying to cultivate a culture of innovation and thinking outside the box,” said Chief Master Sgt. Peter Franco, 55th CG superintendent. “When Airmen can bring up an idea and we get the funding for it, it’s demonstrating to the Airmen that we are listening and we need their ideas to evolve the culture.”
The 55th CG, ready to accept the challenge, invited approximately 30 Airmen to view a demonstration of the kit’s Mobile Applications and Gaming Intelligence Courseware program. The Airmen were then asked what they saw as benefits and possible uses for this new VR technology.
Staff Sgt. Garrett Kysar, 55th Communications Squadron “Cable Dawg”, recommended a VR environment to help maintain and train airmen that must maintain dual roles as cable and antenna maintenance for two radio sites located over an hour north of Offutt Air Force Base.
The VR training helps reinforce familiarization, confidence and safety required while working year round on the 120-foot towers, enabling the High Frequency Global Communications System. It is up to these maintainers, who consist of civilian and military members, to ensure the reliability of the system that supports that Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and all of the Department of Defense.
With funding from 25th AF in place, the 55th CG has been working with a Booz Allen Hamilton development team on the initial stages of designing a 3D virtual training environment for “cable dawgs” working with the HFGCS.
The development team requires an understanding of the exact requirements, such as work qualification, safety procedures and the equipment used by cable and antennae maintenance crews.
Developers will also require photo images of location sites to get the most accurate measurements, enabling them to translate all the information into computer coding and programming for realistic immersion.
Incorporating safety into virtual procedures is one of the program’s priorities, such as practicing rescue methods in the evnet a fellow worker is injured or hanging from a tower, or the challenge of repairing a tower 120 feet up in the air with 25-mile an hour winds.
“The big danger we face while working on antennas is falling while working aloft due to human error or equipment failing” said Senior Airman Christopher Orange, 55th CS. “When we climb, we have safety measures in place so if we do happen to fall, our wire grab, slide bar, rope grabs and Y lanyards can catch us. Another danger we face is weather - like if the wind speed is greater than 25 mph or if the towers are iced we can’t climb at all.”
The kit contains two main posts that hold cameras placed at diagonal parts of a room, a VR headset, a high powered laptop and hand wands that control the kind of motion used to interact with the digital environment. Setting up the unit for use takes about 15 to 20 minutes for the experienced user.
The program development will take approximately one year to complete. When finished, “cable dawgs” will receive smarter and faster training to help provide a safer working environment.
VR is a proven training capability currently used by the flying community. This project will prove that it can translate to other communities.
“The whole idea behind MAGIC is that we don’t read textbooks anymore,” said Lt. Col. Scott Papineau 55th CG deputy commander. “The newer, younger Airmen are the ones looking to the digital age to read and learn from.”