Pacific Air Forces Airmen test Next Generation Aircrew Protection equipment > Air Force > Article Display

If you’ve spent time in the Indo-Pacific region, you’ve likely heard the term "Fight Tonight" more than once and for good reason. Pacific Air Forces Airmen are on the forefront of operations in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, and these operations come with a need to be ready, diverse, innovative and lethal.

We have been charged with challenging the status quo, operationalizing resourcefulness and adopting concepts and technologies that drive the readiness, resilience and lethality of the force.One of the most recent advances added to the PACAF portfolio involves the U.S. Air Force Next Generation Aircrew Protection, or NGAP, effort.Airmen with the 15th Wing and 154th Fighter Squadron on Hickam Air Force Base tested and trained on the F-22 Raptor using the innovative Step-Launch and Recover, or SLR, concept of operation and the critical data provided by the NGAP effort. SLR allows for the aircrew to safely generate sorties in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear, or CBRN, contaminated environment.

Col. Paul Hendrickson, Air Force Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense systems materiel leader (left) speaks to Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, during a Next Generation Aircrew Protection Step-Launch and Recover demonstration at Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 11, 2023. The team demonstrated the PACAF stop gap for the F-22 Aircrew CBRN limiting factor utilizing the modified M-50 ground crew mask and explained how these operationally relevant capabilities provide him commander's decision superiority to generate combat sorties safely in a Chemical environment while maximizing aircrew performance. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy)

Capt. Alex Moss, 19th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptor pilot, tests out the Next Generation Aircrew Protection solution during a Step-Launch and Recover concept of operation training event, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 10, 2023. The current solution for pilots is to use the Aircrew Eye and Raspatory Protection System that was initially developed during the Gulf War and was not developed to protect against current CBRN challenge levels. The mask also degrades performance and combat effectiveness due to its bulk and lack of dexterity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Hailey Haux)

Airman Kyla Correos, 15th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment specialist, models the aircrew ensemble respiratory protection system during a Next Generation Aircrew Protection Step-Launch and Recover concept of operation demonstration, Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 11, 2023.The demonstration showcased the Pacific Air Forces stop gap for the F-22 Aircrew Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear limiting factor utilizing the modified M-50 ground crew mask. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy)

Master Sgt. Terrance Akana, 154th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment craftsman, utilizes an over-cloak that provides an extra layer of protection on Capt. Alex Moss, 19th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptor pilot, during a Next Generation Aircrew Protection Step-Launch and Recover concept of operation demonstration, Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 11, 2023. The demonstration showcased the Pacific Air Forces stop gap for the F-22 Aircrew Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear limiting factor utilizing the modified M-50 ground crew mask. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy)

Airman Kyla Correos, 15th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment specialist, utilizes an over-cloak that provides an extra layer of protection during a Next Generation Aircrew Protection Step-Launch and Recover concept of operation demonstration, Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 11, 2023. The demonstration showcased the Pacific Air Forces stop gap for the F-22 Aircrew Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear limiting factor utilizing the modified M-50 ground crew mask. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy)

Capt. Alex Moss, 19th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptor pilot, gives a thumbs up while processing through the aircrew contamination control area during the Next Generation Aircrew Protection Step-Launch and Recover training event, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 10, 2023. Over the past few years, there has been a slew of innovative ideas that have been brought to the Pacific Air Forces region—the most recent being the U.S. Air Force Next Generation Aircrew Protection project. This allows the aircrew to safely generate sorties in a CBRN contaminated environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Hailey Haux)

"The ability to work directly with the warfighter to provide relevant and mission enhancing information that allows them to conduct their operations safely while maximizing protection in a chemical environment is a huge win for the work the team has done over the last five years," said 1st Lt. Gunnar Kral, Air Force CBRN Defense Systems Branch, CBRN aircrew protection lead engineer.

The events at Hickam AFB were capped off with the opportunity to showcase the successful efforts of all involved to the commander of PACAF, highlighting how these practical, risk-based decisions are allowing his wing commanders to Fight Tonight.

"These operationally relevant capabilities give commanders decision superiority to generate combat sorties safely in a chemical environment while maximizing aircrew performance," Hendrickson said. "This is something that can truly help shape how the warfighter fights over the next decade. The work we’re doing here will save an Airman's life."