RAF looks to model UAS training after AETC’s fundamentals course Published Jan. 22, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey Air Education and Training Command public affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The United Kingdom's top leader of Royal Air Force recruitment, education and training visited Randolph Air Force Base Jan. 20 to review unmanned aircraft systems training conducted by the 563rd Flying Training Squadron. Air Vice-Marshal Richard Garwood, No. 22 (Training) Group commander, met with Air Education and Training Command officials here to discuss the possibility of "a small number" of RAF members attending the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fundamentals Course, or UFC, until an RAF training program is up and running. The proposed training course would be similar to the 563rd-instructed fundamentals course with initial training accomplished in the U.K. and advanced training at Creech AFB, Nev., the commander said. "We've come here to see AETC's emerging experience of having direct entrant UAS pilot training for those who haven't flown a manned airplane before ... to see if we could do something similar," said AVM Garwood, who is stationed at Headquarters Air Command at High Wycomb, located about one hour west of London. During his tour of the 563rd UFC the RAF commander, a veteran fighter pilot, was particularly intrigued by the quality of the simulators on which he tried his hand at landing a bomb on target. He also noted the enthusiasm of both the instructors and students currently attending the second class. "Amazing graphics," he said of the UAS simulator. "A fundamental part of this training is that some of it will have to be synthetic. "I was very impressed by the squadron there," he continued. "They were all very motivated and professional in their outlook on the whole program." The 563rd FTS UAS fundamentals course here began instruction Nov. 21. The four-week course bridges the gap for undergraduates of pilot training who are without practical piloting experience by providing insight to the air- and ground-based battle space environment in 100 hours of combined simulator and academic classes, said Capt. Tom Moore, 563rd FTS UFC flight commander. Graduates of UFC gain additional training at Creech AFB and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Currently, the UFC has full classes planned through May 2010 with additional classes filling every month, the captain said. The U.S. Air Force and RAF share a short successful history of unmanned aircraft systems operations, based on a longer successful history as coalition partners. Airmen from both services have trained on and operated UAVs together since 2004 in the unit Joint Predator Task Force at Creech AFB in support of operations in Afghanistan and the war on terrorism. On Jan. 23, 2008, RAF No. 39 Squadron officially activated at Creech AFB, and RAF Airmen assigned there have since operated the MQ-9 Reaper; however, a strong partnership continues, said AVM Garwood. "None of the equipment has been in the U.K. It's all at Creech or in Afghanistan," he said. "We're fully integrated in the Air Force system in every respect. We have instructors who are flying with and teaching Americans and vice-versa. In many ways it's the role model coalition. It can't get any better." The air vice-marshal visited No. 39 Squadron airmen the day before his Randolph AFB visit for a first-hand look at current Reaper operations and training. "(The Reaper) is the right platform for the war we face in Afghanistan," AVM Garwood said. "It has saved us a lot of lives. Yesterday (at Creech) they showed us the imagery of it doing just that, which is very good. "Operationally it's massively capable and can stay on task for a very long time," he said. "I think it's a great system to have because it compliments the manned aircraft." The visit was the first of many more AETC visits to come, said the RAF commander. "We have so much in common with our training we should build a close relationship, so you should be seeing more of me," he said.