Aerospace and Operational Physiology prepares Airmen for worst case scenario

by Senior Airman Taylor Curry
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

7/9/2013 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Imagine flying a plane mid mission and you begin experiencing symptoms of hypoxia, a condition where the body as a whole or region of the body is deprived of an adequate amount of oxygen. Would you know what to do?

Here at Fairchild, a tanker pilot or boom operator's focus is essential to mission success, and they have to be prepared for any emergency in flight. The 92nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron's aerospace and operational physiology training unit is where aircrew for tankers, transporters and bombers go to receive the skills needed to take on emergencies such as experiencing hypoxia.

The principal mission at the ASOP is to familiarize flyers with the physiological stresses and human performance factors of present military aviation and prepare flyers to successfully meet these challenges.

"The most significant goal here is to further improve flight safety by reducing human performance error while in the air," said Staff Sgt. Vikas Kumar, 92nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace and operational physiology NCO in charge. "We prepare Airmen for the human factor challenges inherent to military operations with the objective of increasing overall readiness and mission efficiency."

There are currently three members working throughout the section that have the responsibilities of ensuring aircrew are prepared for an emergency. They're in charge of human performance enhancement training, hypoxia familiarization training, high altitude airdrop mission support and maintaining aircrew flight equipment such as masks and helmets.

"Many pilots and aircrew have to come through our one day class," said Kumar. "We teach our students about atmosphere, respiration and circulation, ways to prevent hypoxia and hyperventilation, cabin pressurization, situational awareness, night vision procedures and much other helpful knowledge needed to operate in the air."

The students are also trained more on airborne precautions by using some unique instruments in class. One item used is the Environics Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device 2, or ROBD2. The ROBD2 is a portable computerized gas-blending instrument used to produce hypoxia without changes in atmospheric pressure. It is used to train aircrew to recognize the sign and symptoms of hypoxia and to carry out the appropriate emergency procedures. It features software that is entirely menu driven.

"The ROBD2 is what we use here in place of the hypobaric chamber," said Kumar. "There are several advantages to using this system. Not only is it much cheaper to maintain than a chamber, it's a lot less taxing on the body because it doesn't have any atmospheric pressure change involved, making it possible to fly a jet right after if needed, unlike using the chamber, you have a 12-hour restriction."

There are numerous challenges faced when flying. Some challenges have to deal with air sickness management, fatigue, spatial disorientation and diet. These are all things that must be considered before flying and are discussed when going through the class, added Kumar.

"Our number one mission is aircrew training, but as time permits, we help other Fairchild units and Airmen sustain and enhance their human performance," said Lt. Col. Matt Albright, 92nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace physiological training flight commander.