By Airman Zayd Anderson, 60th Air Mobility Wing

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — The 21st Airlift Squadron recently received an Experiential Air Refueling Lightweight system at Travis Air Force Base, making Travis the first C-17 Globemaster III base in Air Mobility Command to receive the new training capability for C-17 aircrews.

Beginning Aug. 24, Airmen used the system to test and refine flying skills in a simulated environment, supporting the squadron’s efforts to modernize training and strengthen readiness.

Designed to provide a hands-on training experience without launching an aircraft, the EARL system allows Airmen to build proficiency while reducing the resources and risk associated with live-fly events.

The simulation typically lasts about 30 minutes, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Mary Shanley, 21st AS director of staff. She added that it “allows multi-crew and multi-aircraft training sessions on a single connected network system.”

Shanley said the system gives aircrews another way to rehearse complex scenarios, receive immediate feedback and repeat training events as needed.

Ryan Pulliam, co-founder of Specular Theory, the company behind EARL, said the system is designed to make training “repeatable, measurable and accessible,” allowing users to “make a mistake, see the result, receive feedback and immediately try again.”

According to Pulliam, operating the system costs about $40 per hour, offering a lower-cost alternative for some training events while helping reduce demand for aircraft and fuel.

With more than 100 units delivered across the Air Force, the EARL system supports training for six aircraft, including the C-17, expanding access to simulation-based training across multiple platforms.

For the 21st AS, the arrival of EARL adds a modern training option at home station, giving Airmen more opportunities to sharpen skills, build proficiency and sustain readiness before taking to the air.