ABM students learn control at MU-2 speed

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Amanda Ferrell
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Fighter pilots routinely execute tactical maneuvers against adversary aircraft at close range while flying at speeds greater than five hundred miles per hour. And while conducting tactical intercept missions, fighters easily reach supersonic speeds.

Mastering the technical skills needed to manage, deconflict and effectively communicate with fighter aircraft under such conditions is the responsibility of Air Battle Manager students assigned to the 325th Air Control Squadron.

Before attempting to manage aircraft at supersonic speeds, ABM students control and communicate with Mitsubishi MU-2s, which are slower-moving twin-engine turboprop aircraft.

"We utilize the MU-2 as a stepping stone to control F-15, F-22 and other live aircraft," said Master Sgt. Eric Smith, 325th ACS instructor.

"We are able to apply the skills we learn in the simulated portion of the course to live aircraft control in a slow-paced environment," said 2nd Lt. Erin Rundberget, 325th ACS student. "This allows us to perfect our controlling skills before moving on to high-performance aircraft later in the course."

Nine former military pilots, contracted by Air 1st Aviation Companies, Inc., fly the MU-2 training aircraft in support of the 325th ACS training syllabus. Air 1st has been providing contracted training flight services at Tyndall since 1998, operating and maintaining a fleet of eight MU-2 aircraft, logging more than 4,000 flight hours per year.

"Each ABM student must successfully control eight sorties flown by MU-2s and receive one flight in the aircraft before progressing to the next block of instruction," said Sergeant Smith. The flight gives ABM students the opportunity to experience a combat mission from a pilot's perspective.

The advantage of controlling the MU-2 is experiencing the realism of controlling an actual aircraft, but in a slow, low-threat environment. The MU-2 is a vital stepping stone for students as they progress to managing more intense combat sorties flown by fighter aircraft.

"We provide students a platform, one-half to one-third the speed of a high performance jet," said retired Col. Don Joyner, a former Air Force F-111 pilot and current MU-2 pilot. "Instructors from the 325th ACS choose what play book scenario they want the students to experience, and we provide the environment."

The purpose of incorporating MU-2 flights into ABM training is to provide students the technical skills needed to successfully and safely manage numerous aircraft co-located in airspace world-wide.

When interacting with the MU-2 fleet, ABM students provide 'big-picture' information to the pilots, said Lieutenant Rundberget. The information air battle managers provide, helps pilots build their situational awareness during combat missions, she said.

"After successfully completing their eight live missions with MU-2 aircraft, students will be well on their way to becoming a good, 'third wingman,'" said Sergeant Smith. "And the best part about my life here is teaching a new officer to be a trusted wingman."

"It's important to understand that ABMs do not merely control air-to-air missions," said the sergeant. "Students also learn procedural control, which is control of aircraft without the use of radar, and the ability to execute against air-to-ground targets."

Plans are well underway to expand the MU-2 training mission to incorporate added capabilities and skills for ABM trainees to use for procedural control, said Sergeant Smith.

MU-2 exposure also offers students insight to the symbiotic relationship between air battle managers, pilots and air traffic controllers.

"The MU-2 program helps us understand that it takes collaboration between both the pilot and the controller to successfully execute an air battle," said Lieutenant Rundberget.

Air battle manager trainees agree that controlling fighter aircraft at excessive speeds and close-range is initially a daunting task, one that must be tackled slowly ... at the speed of an MU-2. But students also agree that training with the MU-2 fleet is a solid step to controlling fighter aircraft at mach speed - and they will be doing that in no time.