C-17 simulator makes showing at Emerald Warrior Published Oct. 25, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes 16 SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla -- The Emerald Warrior exercise will use C-17 simulators specifically networked for the Air Force Special Operations Command for the first time this week. The simulator has been used in virtual exercises previously, but not in AFSOC. The simulator is located in Charleston, S.C. Other C-17 simulators are at Dover Air Force Base, Del., and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The simulator allows pilots to get more realistic training in intense scenarios. "Crews can train past their failure points, to learn from their experiences and apply those lessons in combat," said Capt. Gary Lee, 19th Special Operations Squadron. A virtual environment allows Airmen to practice tactics, techniques and procedures across the Department of Defense without peacetime and operations tempo restrictions. The simulator can provide a level of training that may not be logistically possible with live assets due to safety and noise constraints. "As a crewmember myself, I want to be able to practice what I'll do in combat exactly the way I'm going to before I go," Captain Lee said. "Using networked, distributed simulators allows us to do that." The C-17's mission is rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo at home and in the deployment area. It performs tactical airlift and airdrop missions and can also be used during aeromedical evacuations when necessary.