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Aircrew Training Systems receives full renovation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Whether you are a C-5M Super Galaxy pilot, loadmaster or flight engineer; you most likely have gone through training at some point in the building formally known as “Frankenstein,” because of its unique layout and mismatching construction and design.

Building 206, which houses the 436th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Training Systems, the 373d Training Squadron Detachment 3 and the 9th Airlift Squadron has just received and now completed a $15.5 million renovation and modernization.

“This well-needed renovation and upgrade provides a world-class facility for C-5M crews stationed here at Dover and the broader C-5M enterprise,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Oelrich, 436th OSS commander, “Dover is the primary formal training unit (FTU) for all engineers and pilots. Here at this training facility, we prepare crews from all over AMC. Having a recently renovated facility and equipment ensures the 436th OSS delivers a world-class learning environment that prepares our aircrew members to deliver rapid global mobility whenever and wherever our nation calls.”

Ronald Collins, 436th OSS/ATS contracting officer representative, whose duties include facility manager, described Building 206, prior to its renovation, as a hodgepodge of construction styles, designs and materials that ranged from a few years to decades old.

“All of this had been built piece-by-piece-by-piece,” said Collins. “They meshed a building together; the newest portion is only four or five years old, but the oldest section is from the 1960s.”

This renovation standardized and upgraded all of the facility to give it a professional appearance appropriate and on par with the professional training that was going on inside.

“It’s like a dream come true,” said Collins. “The building was redesigned to meet our training needs.”

The 22 thousand square foot facility’s available room was augmented. Walls were removed, walls were built, offices were created while others were appropriately resized, and classrooms were created or improved.

“We optimized the room, we are now able to fit more students in here more comfortably,” Collins said.

Not only was Building 206’s layout and floorplan altered; its infrastructure was upgraded and modernized. This includes the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system, electricity, plumbing, fire suppression system and various other improvements.

Going along with comfort, the building’s furniture was severely outdated and in need of replacement. According to Collins, 100 percent of the facility’s furniture, to include desks, chairs, tables and work benches were replaced. The old furniture was either distributed to units on base if it was still serviceable and in good condition, while the remainder was disposed of via recycling. He estimates that this saved the Air Force about $100,000.

Building 206 currently houses 35 aircrew instructors and two C-5M simulators which provide more than 7,000 hours of training annually. Additionally, annually more than 3,000 aircrew students train in this facility with a 100 percent pass rate.

For Collins, the biggest challenge during the renovation was to ensure that it created a minimal amount of interruption or delay to this training. This challenge was difficult, but attainable and was eventually achieved.

These renovations and upgrades have really pleased many technicians and instructors who work in the facility. Bryan Hackenburg, FlightSafety simulator technician, who has worked in the facility for 31 years, has never been happier.

“I’m the longest continuously service simulator technician on Dover AFB,” said Hackenburg. “Our area in maintenance is the best it has ever been since I’ve been here.”

The biggest addition to simulator maintenance section is the newly installed rolling shelves that have centralized simulators’ spare parts and technical documentation. This alone has saved countless hours and space.

In addition to this, the facility added new smartboards and workbenches for instruction.

“Our first rate quality training now has a first rate quality facility,” said Collins.