MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Performing duty to perfection is what service members strive to achieve. The thought of something going wrong and that other people's lives and safety are at risk is always in the back of people's minds. Training is a very important part of achieving this goal of perfection.
Pilots here go through many hours of training to help ensure their safety and achieve mission accomplishment. Part of their training includes a monthly visit to the Tactical Operations Flight Trainer.
The TOFT is an exact replica of an F/A-18C Hornet cockpit, according to John McLaughlin, site manager for L-3 Communications Link Simulation and Training.
"The flight simulator is a training device used to optimize a pilot's capabilities in emergency situations and help them improve their weapons tactics," said McLaughlin. "Pilots aboard Iwakuni are required to use the simulator monthly to complete emergency procedure qualifications. Air crews coming to Iwakuni for the first time are required to do a local hop, first in the simulator and then in the actual aircraft."
The simulator is a good training tool, but it does have minor problems, noted Peter Kearney, lead technician.
"When it is working properly it is a great machine, but when something goes wrong it becomes a big problem," said Kearney. "The biggest problem we have is the availability of parts. It's hard to get parts because even the smallest ones need to be shipped from the States."
One of the biggest reasons for having the TOFT is cost efficiency. The simulator saves a great deal of money compared to flying an actual aircraft.
"It costs around $5,000 an hour for a flight in a Hornet, where as the simulator only costs a couple hundred dollars for each run," said Maj. Jeffery P. Staman, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 executive officer. "It saves everyone a lot of money."
The simulator also saves a lot of time, noted Staman.
"One regular flight requires an average of 15 man hours," said Staman. "That is a lot of time and money when we can just come down here to complete our instrument qualifications. Time is money."
The simulator is a great way for pilots to practice their abilities, without risk and at minimal costs, noted Staman.
"The simulator is very important in training," said Staman. "It gives us the opportunity to prefect our essential skills and the discipline needed to fly an aircraft."
Training is very important in all aspects of the military, noted McLaughlin. Saving money, time and preventing accidents helps to make sure that everyone gets the most out of their training.
"Our main goal is to keep pilots safe," said McLaughlin, "You can replace hardware, but you cannot replace people."