Aerospace ground equipment training instructor trains three-level airmen assigned to the AGE Flight. Credit: The USAF / airman 1st Class Alexander Cook.

The US Air Force’s (USAF) 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) flight has implemented a new 32-day programme to boost the training for three-level airmen on the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35A Lightning II aircraft.

Designed to train the three-level airmen on five-level core tasks, the new four-week programme involves both classroom and on-the-job training.

During the period, airmen are trained to be able to provide service inspections on F-16 and F-35 equipment, flight line driving, and operational fundamentals on support equipment such as diesel generators, hydraulic test stands, and floodlights.

USAF 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron AGE training instructor staff sergeant Garret Jimenez said: “We conduct a short classroom session that provides a brief overview of what we go over that day.

“After classroom training, we go out into the field to evaluate the students on their job performance, which allows them to display their knowledge of what they’ve just learned in the classroom.”

“This programme helps the productivity of our flight because we’ve drastically reduced the amount of time and manpower it takes to train our three-level airmen.”

“We’re currently training six airmen in each class. However, in the future, we’re looking to increase that number and continue to expand the programme.

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“This programme helps the productivity of our flight because we’ve drastically reduced the amount of time and manpower it takes to train our three-level airmen to get them out into the field and mission-ready.”

With the growth in the USAF’s F-35 Lightning II aircraft fleet, the AGE flight continues to adapt their training methods in order to ensure that the Luke Air Force Base (AFB) succeeds in enhancing the future of airpower.

To date, 12 airmen have graduated and 22 out of 29 of their core tasks have been completed since the implementation of the training programme.