Sioux City, Iowa -- Tasia Nevilles from KCAU TV 9 visited the 185th Air Refueling Wing this week in order to do a story on the unit’s “BOSS” mid-air refueling simulator.
The BOSS or Boom Operator Simulation System is a training device that, according to the manufacture FAAC's website, provides an “immersive training environment” for KC-135 boom operator training.
Nevilles got to spend time in the BOSS and even had a chance to lay in the simulator in order to experience the same training 185th boom operators experience with the BOSS.
After demonstrating some of the BOSS’s capabilities, 185th ARW boom operator, Master Sgt. Jason Stoss switched places with Nevilles which put her in the “driver’s seat" of the simulator.
“This is like a huge video game,” said Nevilles, while struggling to get comfortable laying on her stomach in the simulator that is designed to look and feel like the real thing.
According to Stoos it is not unusual to spend hours at a time in the back of one of the unit’s KC-135 aircraft delivering fuel, so having the simulator training available is a significant cost savings.
Stoos says another key benefit of the BOSS is that it allows 185th boom operators to make the most of the time afforded them on busy drill weekends and during their scheduled training times throughout the year.
“Another benefit is that we get to experience things in the BOSS that allow us to be ready for emergencies, but we get to do it while we are safely on the ground,” said Stoos.
Nevilles said that after her story airs it can be viewed on the TV stations Siouxland Proud website.