Boeing recently delivered a comprehensive training center for the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the Memphis Air National Guard base in Tennessee, improving the service’s training capabilities while reducing travel, maintenance and other operating expenses.

The highly realistic training system prepares C-17 pilots and loadmasters for a host of scenarios, including sophisticated mission operations and emergency procedures. Having that capability on site means the 155th Airlift Squadron no longer needs to send personnel elsewhere for training.

“The Boeing team enabled us to increase training efficiency while reducing travel time, aircraft fuel and operating costs, which is an extremely important factor during this era of increased fiscal restraints and tightened budgets,” said Maj. Joel Taylor, chief of aircrew training for the 155th Airlift Squadron.

The Memphis training center is the Air Force’s 25th C-17 trainer and the fourth of five ordered under a 2010 contract from the service. The fifth of those training centers will be delivered to Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base in Martinsburg, West Virginia, later this year.