AOI 011 - Eielson AFB - Civil Engineering Squadron.docx

AOI -011 TITLE: Eielson AFB – Civil Engineering Squadron TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Snow & Ice Control Operations DESCRIPTION: The 354th Civil Engineer Squadron Snow Barn is a team of mission-ready Pavements and Construction Equipment Operators who maintain the pavements of Eielson Air Force Base’s runway, taxiways, and aprons. These military and civilian heavy equipment operators utilize large pieces of heavy equipment (i.e. snow plows, snow brooms, snow blowers) in concert with other operators and the snow operations controller in challenging weather conditions and around aircraft operations. Our operators routinely find themselves in white out snow conditions, in total darkness, in -40°F ambient temperatures, with changing aircraft arrivals and departures schedules, and shifting snow removal mission priorities. These conditions cannot, however, be effectively simulated during “Snow School” each fall.

The 354th Civil Engineer Squadron seeks a technology solution to provide the opportunity to better train Pavements and Construction Equipment Operators for the snow & ice control mission at Eielson Air Force Base. We envision a novel technology solution that combines existing construction equipment simulation technology, Virtual Reality, geospatial mapping, and communications technology. This may take the form of a multiple station vehicle operator simulator w here operators can simulate operation of our assigned heavy equipment on Eielson Air Force Base pavement surfaces, with user controlled Interior Alaska weather conditions, in virtual reality. We envision that multiple vehicle operator stations will interact in VR while operators rehearse our established tactics, techniques, and procedures for snow & ice control vehicle operations. We also envision each operator having the ability to practice radio communication with other equipment operators & the snow operations controller in the simulator. We envision the ability of the trainer to modify the environment within the simulation (i.e. air and pavement temperatures, precipitation, existing snow cover, ice fog, aircraft parking locations, etc.) to practice TTPs in varying Interior Alaska conditions. And finally, we envision the ability to conduct real-time “after action reviews” after each simulator run where the trainer can provide feedback to each operator on adherence to TTPs, radio communication techniques and safety.