The US Air Force has adopted a virtual reality training system called Street Smarts Virtual Reality (SSVR) to train its personnel.

The 75th Security Forces Squadron is the first to work with the system that immerses the personnel in realistic three-dimensional situations for training.

The system is designed to simulate real-life scenarios and train the forces for situations, such as domestic violence, suicidal ideation, traffic stops, entry controller duties, and even active shooter incidents.

“Having a system that is immersive and interactive challenges our Defenders’ critical thinking skills in a controlled environment,” said Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Gregson, 75th SFS training NCOIC. “By exposing them to an array of situations, they could encounter while defending our installation and dealing with criminal acts creates a more capable and ready Defender.”

Staff Sgt. Devon Ashton, 75th SFS unit trainer, explained that the system allows them to playback the response to analyze performance and provide relevant feedback.

Moreover, the system regularly updates its data using real-world law enforcement footage and enables the trainers to create custom scenarios. They can also facilitate a realistic weapons experience comprising familiarization training and target practice, significantly reducing the squadron’s ammunition costs.

“In the long run, this system greatly reduces the amount we would spend on simunition ammunition,” said Gregson. “Additionally, this system doesn’t require an elaborate setup or safety protocol, which allows us to utilize it whenever we can.”

“As Airmen come in with a more digital mindset, this system allows us to engage our new Defenders on a platform they genuinely enjoy using,” she added.

Follow us on LinkedIn

Read other Articles