New training tool prepares pilots for night flying

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing
EDWARD AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A two year effort culminated June 18 as Edwards opened the doors to its new Night Imaging and Threat Evaluation Laboratory, located in building 1850.

A joint effort between the Air Force and Marine Corps, the $129,000 NITE Lab is designed to offer a hands-on training course for all pilots required to use night vision goggles.

"Now that we have this facility," said Capt. Jeffrey Scott, Edwards aerospace physiologist. "We can use it to do NVG academics, such as hands-on fitting and focusing of the goggles and demonstrate what illusions will be present in the desert."

The NITE Lab consists of a lane used to focus the NVGs and a miniature landscape used to practice real life situations with NVGs. The terrain board and different moon placements and phases create a realistic environment to learn the proper usage of the goggles.

"The terrain board is a custom-built training tool that allows the instructor to simulate the effects of moon illumination, moon positioning, terrain shadowing, and cultural lighting on visual performance," said the Captain. "This allows the instructor to demonstrate some potentially dangerous scenarios and illusions in a safe and controlled environment."

The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing was the primary source of funding for the lab. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Marine Maj. Gen. John Croley, 4th MAW commander, spoke about how impressed he is with the laboratory's training capabilities and the benefits it will offer all who use it.

"I remember when I was a lieutenant using NVGs for the first time," said General Croley. "The technology has come a long way since then and what this team has put together here for training our aviators on the technology is really a great investment for us."

The lab will be primarily used by Air Force and Marine pilots, taking them from behind the desk and giving them some practical experience using the equipment.

"All pilots who use NVGs are required to do this training every 18 months," said Captain Scott. "This new lab will offer them a hands-on experience, helping them to better use NVGs when necessary."

Captain Scott said that the NITE Lab also has the potential to train other personnel who also use NVGs and he plans on finding ways to allow them to use the facility and better familiarize them with the equipment.

"This facility can be used by a lot of folks," he said. "Our security forces Airman may want to use the NITE Lab (since they use NVGs). I'm also in conversation with the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School about buffing up their night vision goggle program. They have a block of academics about NVGs and we could bring them in here and show them the terrain board and give them some hands-on training."

General Croley said he is excited about the effectiveness and safety this lab will offer pilots.

"We're going to put 300 or more aviators in here for their refresher training," said the general. "This will save a lot of time and jet fuel, saving us a lot of money and protect our greatest resource, our people."