ROBD

Master Sgt. Ismael Paez, 1st Special Operations Support Squadron Air Force Special Operation Command functional manager, conducts refresher physiological hypoxia training with Capt. Mathias Wilson, 9th Special Operations Squadron navigator, at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 4, 2014. The Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device allowed Paez to simulate flight at 25,000 feet and induce Hypoxia, which occurs when the body is deprived of oxygen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jeff Parkinson)

ROBD

Lt. Col. Ty Piercefield, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot, who is stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., flies an aircraft simulator during refresher physiological hypoxia training at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 4, 2014. Unlike normal altitude chambers, the reduced oxygen breathing device allowed Piercefield to perform in-flight procedures during the training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jeff Parkinson)

ROBD

Lt. Col. Ty Pierce Field, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot, who is stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., participates in the night portion of the refresher physiological hypoxia training at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 4, 2014. Hypoxia occurs when the body is deprived of oxygen. It can affect a pilot’s vision, even at low altitudes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jeff Parkinson)

Reduced O2 training now at Hurlburt

Published Feb. 11, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Jeff Parkinson
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device is now operational here at the 1st Special Operations Support Squadron.

The ROBD satisfies the aircrew refresher physiological hypoxia training, which is a five-year requirement.

The ROBD alleviated the need for 2,600 Hurlburt flyers to go TDY for refresher training, which will save the Air Force Special Operations Command an estimated $2.1 million over the next five years, according to Capt. Eric Chase, 1st SOSS aerospace physiologist.

The ROBD trains aircrew to recognize the symptoms of hypoxia, which occurs when the body is deprived of adequate oxygen. It also reinforces the appropriate in-flight emergency procedures to correct for hypoxia.

This portable, computerized, gas-blending device induces hypoxia without changing barometric pressure.

"Eliminating barometric pressure changes eliminates the possibility of decompression sickness, ear/sinus pressure injuries, and the altitude restrictions imposed upon aircrew members immediately following traditional altitude chamber training," said Master Sgt. Ismael Paez, 1st SOSS AFSOC functional manager.

Traditional altitude chamber training groups aircrew members from as many as 16 different aircraft and requires nine aerospace physiology personnel. ROBD training is one-on-one training, aircraft specific, and requires only one aerospace physiologist, according to Paez.

"This new Hurlburt capability provides fidelity as aircrew members perform in-flight duties to increase brain activity [during the training], rather than puzzles or mazes like they would during altitude chamber training," Paez said.

Aircrew members from the local area, three major commands, and as far as Pennsylvania have attended the refresher physiological hypoxia training at Hurlburt since the ROBD's formal stand up last month.

"It's amazing," said Chase. "We're only five classes into the program and we already have aircrew from bases across the country passing other chamber units to come to ROBD training at Hurlburt."

To sign up for the ROBD course, aircrew members can contact their unit training manager.