JASDF Crews To Use Boeing's KC-767J Refueling Tanker
Three members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF)
completed a four-month training program in the US, making them the
first boom operators in their military.
The boom operator sits in the back of the tanker and operates
the controls connecting the refueling boom to the receiver.
"I'm proud to be one of the first three students from Japan to
complete this training," said Technical Sergeant Masaaki
Takahashi.
Master Sergeant Randy Kawasaki, Master Sergeant Etsuro Mizokami
and Technical Sergeant Masaaki Takahashi were selected from JASDF
headquarters because of their previous experience as aircraft
loadmasters.
Then they attended a three-week basic boom operator training
course at Altus AFB, OK before heading to Travis AFB, CA. There,
they trained with 60th Air Mobility Wing airmen earning their basic
KC-10 Boom Operator qualification.
According to Mr. Earl Winders, assistant aircrew training
manager, the students begin with computer-based training, then move
on to simulator training with the KC-10 boom simulator. The final
phase of training is actual in-flight refueling under the
supervision of an instructor boom operator.
Though the Japanese students train with the KC-10 simulator and
receive actual in-flight training with the KC-10, the aircraft they
will be using in Japan is the Boeing KC-767J.
"Although the Japanese tanker, KC-767J, is a completely
different piece of equipment from the KC-10, the aerial re-fueling
operational procedure and the essence of boom operating skills are
the same," said Sergeant Kawasaki.
According to Sergeant Kawasaki, Japan won't have a boom
operation simulator until 2009. Consequently more than 12
future boom operators will trained here in the US.
"The class required more
of a mental demand then expected, especially the in-flight
communication," said Sergeant Kawasaki. "The language barrier with
the in-flight jargon and the speed of the language made it
difficult, but towards the end of the training, we started to get a
feeling of good communication."
Besides the training they received, the Japanese students
noticed some differences from their homeland in Japan.
"What astonished us most is the diversity of races in the
military," said Sergeant Kawasaki. "The various culture
backgrounds allowed us to relax. We felt like we fit in."
Another similarity was the rank structure between the JASDF and
USAF.
"The Japanese rank system is similar to our own, however, our
enlisted (Airmen) salute any ranks higher then their own, both
enlisted and commissioned officers. I salute quite a bit on
Japanese bases," said Sergeant Mizokami.
Training managers and instructors at Travis AFB had a positive
experience working with the Japanese students.
"They were self-sufficient and extremely polite -- I was
surprised of their knowledge of our customs and courtesies," said
Mr. Winders.
The last Japanese student is scheduled to graduate November
18.
ANN salutes SSgt Matt McGovern of the 60th Air Mobility Wing
public affairs.