C-17 Simulator Training – Now Also in Hungary

The SAC Program, comprising 12 nations, was established in 2008 so that member states could provide strategic airlift capability to their armed forces by jointly procuring and operating three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft. The infrastructure related to the capability is constantly developing at the base, the next important step of which is the completion of a 1438 sqm facility housing the simulator, the construction of which began in January 2024.

Mark J. Lynch, Programme Manager, NATO Airlift Management Programme Office, pointed out in his speech that this very modern “facility is a marvel to behold both aesthetically and functionally,” was built up from nothing in a few months. He underlined that the facility, equipped with solar panels and other new and sustainable technologies, similar to electric charging stations, “took many organizations to bring about through coordination, cooperation and sheer hard work”.

The idea of the facility started to take shape years ago, having been derived from the specificities of the training system of the C-17 aircrew, flying crew chiefs and loadmasters. Based on the rules for their training, they must participate in a simulation training session every three months, during which they practice specific procedures for emergency, airdrop, air-to-air refuelling and tactical landing. Until now, they could only do so in the United States and the United Kingdom, which was a lot more costly and time-consuming than it will be in the future.

Colonel Jason T. Mills, Commander of the Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW), emphasized in his speech that the simulator training is greatly contributing to the enhancement of the personnel’s proficiency and capabilities. Thanks to the new building, as of the end of 2025, members of the HAW will not have to spend weeks away from their home. They will become better and better by accessing training more easily, he said.

Thanks to the facility, within a few months, the operators of the C-17 aircraft will be able to perform their proficiency and capability development simulator training in Hungary instead of going abroad, which could take up even 35 days a year.