An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | May 10, 2019

103rd uses first virtual-reality loadmaster training system

By 1st Lt. Jennifer Pierce 103rd Airlift Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard

BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Conn. – Loadmasters at the 103rd Airlift Wing helped develop the first Virtual Loadmaster Training System (VLTS), that recently became fully operational at Bradley Air National Guard Base.

The VLTS is the first loadmaster training program of its kind and was the result of a three-year-long effort between loadmasters of the 103rd Airlift Wing and developers at Capewell Aerial Systems, a defense contractor.

“This is another tool in our training arsenal,” said Master Sgt. Joe Amato, 103rd Maintenance Group aircrew trainer and VLTS project lead.

The VLTS program puts trainees – wearing virtual reality goggles – directly into a C-130 aircraft during flight.

“It gives you a true 360-degree look around the airplane as if you were really in it,” said Master Sgt. Khaleef Graham, 103rd Airlift Wing loadmaster.
Graham, who has experienced VLTS training first-hand, believes the new training program is beneficial to the unit.

“In the event that an aircraft is not available, there is a weather cancel or something beyond our control, we have the luxury to go over to the virtual sim and run through the same checklists and work issues that could happen on the airplane. It basically enhances our proficiency before we get out to the airplane and actually do a mission.”

Amato, who led the VLTS project for the 103rd Airlift Wing, agreed with Graham.

“This doesn’t replace being in the actual aircraft, but having the ability to take someone with minimal experience and put them through different scenarios before having them experience it in real time is going to raise their comfort level and efficiency during an actual flight.”

Another feature the VLTS provides is the ability for a loadmaster to experience in-flight emergencies that would be too dangerous to train on during flight. One example is an airdrop of heavy cargo using two 28-foot extraction parachutes, known as a double-28 extraction. If the parachutes deploy, but fail to extract the load from the plane, it becomes a critical situation because the parachutes hinder the plane’s operability.

“You will never see a double-28 extraction go wrong until you see it,” said Amato, “and you never get any experience with it until it actually happens. Hopefully, this will build the muscle memory for our loadmasters to take the appropriate reaction when they see those two big chutes deploy, the load not extract and you feel the plane slowing down, you’ll get the muscle memory to ‘pull this lever, pull that lever’ and make the right radio calls.”

Training in these types of critical situations is exactly what Jared Burns, Capewell Aerial Systems Director of Operations and former U.S. Air Force B-1 WSO, had in mind when developing the VLTS.

“The system is meant to fill a training gap that we saw as defense supplier to the Air Force,” said Burns. “Several NATO allies we sell airdrop equipment to often ask for training, and some of the emergency procedures can’t be trained in a way that’s realistic. Limiting training to ground school or chair flying wasn’t doing enough to prepare loadmasters for these situations that are time critical. Up until the advent of virtual reality, there was no way to do it practically. We set out to give units the capabilities to practice these things at the unit, to see these situations in virtual reality, practice emergency procedures and develop some of the muscle memory that goes along with it. This reduces the time to react and time to correct, to overall improve the safety and effectiveness of the loadmasters.”

Ultimately, this is just the beginning for the VLTS program.

“We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the loadmasters, instructors, and leadership from the 103rd because really, we built the system around what they told us would work,” said Burns. “It’s a good partnership, we’ve taken their feedback and put it into the software and we’re looking to continue to working with the 103rd to build upon this program.”

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...