Global Strike Command takes the wheel

by Airman 1st Class Joseph Raatz
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

11/5/2013 - Barksdale Air Force Base, La. -- Air Force Global Strike Command's driver safety program is undergoing an update designed to keep Airmen safe behind the wheel, according to command officials.

The idea behind AFGSC's revamped driver safety program is to provide greater emphasis on handling the wide variety of vehicles Airmen may operate during their careers, and on conquering the environments in which they operate those vehicles. The missile field mission in particular presents a unique challenge for Airmen, command officials said. Personnel in these locations are expected to travel long distances over unimproved country roads and often contend with inclement weather.

"The training will provide a realistic, advanced practical experience," said Maj. Derrick Ossmann, chief of the operations and training branch for security forces at AFGSC. "It instills confidence in the Airmen's ability to operate multiple vehicle types safely in different environments."

One of the most recognizable vehicles operated by Airmen is the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV, commonly referred to as a humvee. Some newer versions have received significant upgrades and offer a greater level of protection, due to increased armor. Known as Up-Armored HMMWVs, or UA/HMMWVs, these vehicles handle differently from their predecessors.

"The knowledge of the difference in vehicular behavior is key in knowing what to do and when to do it, while operating the vehicles," Victor Gale, AFGSC deputy chief of human factors safety, said. "This training will provide the Airmen with the knowledge of the different characteristics of each vehicle type."

The program will use several methods to educate and train security forces and other Airmen, to include comparative driving, a hard braking course and a skid car trainer, Gale said.

Among the options, the comparative driving and skid trainer methods are key, noted Ossmann.

The comparative driving concept places a driver in a multitude of different vehicles, one after another, to see and feel how each one handles differently. This increases the driver's awareness of how to react in different situations with different vehicles, Ossmann explained.

The other method, a skid car trainer, prepares drivers for all aspects of the driving experience by simulating different driving conditions, said Ossmann. These specialized vehicles can simulate loss of traction in a controlled and safe environment, giving the driver training in real-world conditions without putting them at risk or endangering the equipment.

"Our current skid trainers cannot support the weight of the up-armored Humvee," Ossmann said. "Also, some of the skid trainers use pick-up trucks instead of the Humvee. Our goal is to procure additional up-armored Humvees for skid trainer use, as well as new skid trainer equipment and the personnel support to train our security forces."

The command is finalizing standardized lesson plans, Ossmann said. Once the basic plan is implemented, individual units will be able to tailor the lesson plans to their base, operating environment and mission.

As the program is phased-in over time, AFGSC's updated driver safety program will provide training to vehicle operators with the goals of increased safety, awareness and accident avoidance.

"Hopefully, it will reduce accidents and keep our Airmen in the fight by safely getting them to their destination," Ossmann said.