Air Warrior Col. John W. Thompson - KMI Media Group

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Q: Do you have any interest or a need for a new airframe like the UH-72A or others? A: We are always interested in any aircraft innovation that allows us to add value to the special operations ground forces we support. There have been several recent developments that allow rotary aircraft to increase speed, capacity and safety. Right now, our current fleet of aircraft still affords us the right mix of light, medium and heavy airframes. We are in a continuous planning and execution cycle of modification and modernization; this is very much a process and not an event. Special operations aviation relies on the creative, innovative nature of the aerospace industry and we monitor their efforts closely. Each advance is another input into our decision cycle for future capabilities. Q: Recently the 160th gained a new component in the quick reaction capability, operating unmanned aerial vehicles. Do you see this as the first step in an expansion of UAS capabilities within the regiment and USASOC? A: The newly formed E Company, 160th SOAR (A), or quick reaction capability, provides USASOC with a much-needed, organic, extendedrange unmanned aerial systems capability. The QRC will have a habitual relationship with a Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force embedded processing/exploitation/dissemination element. This will provide the ground force commander with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and fires assets during critical moments in combat. Our experience in forming the QRC will aid in future acquisition of additional, permanent UAS units assigned to the Army Special Operations Aviation Command. Q: Aging aircraft are certainly an issue in the Air Force. Is it an issue for you? What are some of the more important programs you run your helicopters through to keep them airworthy and modernized? Do you see any problems with aircraft reaching their end of serviceable life before a replacement program is ready? A: Age certainly is a challenge for any aviation outfit. Nine years of combat operations have accelerated our fleet’s aging process. Aircraft age is not only a factor of time, but a combination of flight regimes, environments, mission tasks and attention to maintenance. Because we have been continuously deployed, our maintenance experts recognized this aging process and implemented several programs such as reset and deep-cycle maintenance procedures during scheduled maintenance events. These initiatives have slowed the aging process. The 160th continues to modernize our fleet through a rotating block modification program. We recognize the importance of maintaining the technological edge and seek ways to continually enhance 22 | SOTECH 8.9 In rotary wing operations, a helo hovers above a Navy ship deck. [Photo courtesy of DoD] the crew members’ abilities to keep the aircraft serviceable. Using the Special Operations Forces Support Activity located in Lexington, Ky., our aircraft rotate through an upgrade program approximately every three years. One example of a technology insertion is the health and usage monitoring system. This system gives aircrews and maintainers continual awareness of the health and state of the aircraft allowing for preventative rather than reactive maintenance. The fleet’s serviceable life is not simply reflected by an end date. As the aircraft are strained, their maintenance will inevitably become more intensive. Like all complex systems, this will become evident by increased repair cost and reduced availability. Each service faces this challenge and develops strategies for fleet modification and modernization based on overall priorities. Q: Last I knew, you had five combat mission simulators. Is this enough to meet your current demands? Do you have a simulator roadmap that plots out a long term acquisition strategy for your simulators? A: Regiment still has five configurable simulators located at Fort Campbell. Simulator time remains in high demand and is intensively managed, ensuring maximum utility to meet our unique training needs. We are currently researching options to provide on-site simulation training systems for our units located at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Requirements for training systems are included in continuous force modernization analysis within the regiment. Our simulator acquisition roadmap parallels our aircraft acquisition roadmap. Each reflects a balance of modernization and modification, based on mission needs and the resource environment. We strive to sustain 100 percent cockpit concurrency with our flight line aircraft. www.SOTECH-kmi.com
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Air Warrior Col. John W. Thompson - KMI Media Group

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