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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Salazar, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Mobile Training Team leader, gives instruction to Chilean Airmen First Class Jose Quezada, during a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class May 30, 2018, at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile. The Chilean Airmen were given classroom instruction covering an aircraft recovery plan, personnel protective equipment, and CDDAR operation followed by hands on training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airman Cristian Fuenzalida installs an aircraft sling to a Chilean F-16 Fighting Falcon during an aircraft lift objective for Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 7, 2018. The aircraft lift was the final objective for the CDDAR course that mirrors the U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Charles Biddulph, 21 Space Wing Mobile Training Team member, assists Chilean Airman Gonzalo Payacan, in mounting an aircraft sling to a Chilean F-16 Fighting Falcon during a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 7, 2018. A U.S. Air Force Mobile Training Team traveled to Iquique, Chile and then to Antofagasta, Chile. The MTT CDDAR certified 35 Chilean Airmen on CDDAR at both locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Zepeda stands next to a Chilean F-16 Fighting Falcon while he demonstrates hand signals to stop a crane that is lifting an aircraft during an objective for a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 7, 2018. The two-week CDDAR mirrored the standard U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airmen and U.S. Airmen stand for a group photo after completing aircraft lift for a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course while U.S. Airmen evaluate at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 7, 2018. A U.S. Air Force Mobile Training Team traveled to Iquique, Chile and then to Antofagasta, Chile. The MTT CDDAR certified 35 Chilean Airmen on CDDAR at both locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz
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Chilean Airmen preform an aircraft lift on a Chilean F-16 Fighting Falcon during a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course while U.S. Airmen evaluate at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 7, 2018. The aircraft lift was the final objective for the CDDAR course that mirrors the U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airman First Class Jose Quezada monitors an aircraft wing tether on a Chilean F-16 Fighting Falcon during an aircraft lift objective for a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course while U.S. Airmen evaluate at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 7, 2018. The aircraft lift was the final objective for the CDDAR course that mirrors the U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Zepeda speaks to Chilean Staff Sgt. Mauricio Inayao and U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Mike Powell, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Mobile Training Team member, during an aircraft lift objective for a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course while U.S. Airmen evaluate at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 7, 2018. A U.S. Air Force Mobile Training Team traveled to Iquique, Chile and then to Antofagasta, Chile. The MTT CDDAR certified 35 Chilean Airmen on CDDAR at both locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airmen preform an aircraft lift on a Chilean F-16 Fighting Falcon during a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course while U.S. Airmen evaluate at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 7, 2018. A U.S. Air Force Mobile Training Team traveled to Iquique, Chile and then to Antofagasta, Chile. The MTT CDDAR certified 35 Chilean Airmen on CDDAR at both locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Salazar, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Mobile Training Team leader, speaks to Chilean Airmen about an aircraft lift sling during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 7, 2018. The Chilean Airmen were given classroom instruction covering an aircraft recovery plan, personnel protective equipment, and CDDAR operation followed by hands on training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airman First Class Sergio Retamales, listens as a classmate speaks during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 5, 2018. The Chilean Airmen were given classroom instruction covering an aircraft recovery plan, personnel protective equipment, and CDDAR operation followed by hands on training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Lt. Felipe Araya, Chilean Airman First Class Madelyn Varas and Chilean Airman Natanael Antican listen during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 5, 2018. A U.S. Air Force Mobile Training Team traveled to Iquique, Chile and then to Antofagasta, Chile. The MTT CDDAR certified 35 Chilean Airmen on CDDAR at both locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airman First Class Jose Alarcon and Chilean Airmen Denisse Mellado give a presentation during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 5, 2018. A U.S. Air Force Mobile Training Team taught the CDDAR course that mirrored the U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airmen and U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeremy Jacobs, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Mobile Training Team member, simulate debogging a Chilean F-16 Fighting Falcon during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 4, 2018. The Chilean Airmen were given classroom instruction covering an aircraft recovery plan, personnel protective equipment, and CDDAR operation followed by hands on training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Charles Biddulph, 21 Space Wing Mobile Training Team member, instructs Chilean Airmen on connecting a snatch cable to an aircraft landing gear D-ring during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 4, 2018. The MTT traveled to Iquique, Chile and then to Antofagasta, Chile. The MTT certified 35 Chilean Airmen on CDDAR at both locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airman First Class Madelyn Varas, connects a snatch cable to an aircraft landing gear D-ring during a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery course at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 4, 2018. The Chilean Airmen were given classroom instruction covering an aircraft recovery plan, personnel protective equipment, and CDDAR operation followed by hands on training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Zepeda and Chilean Airmen First Class Jose Quezada, inspect an airbag manifold during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 1, 2018. A U.S. Air Force Mobile Training Team taught the CDDAR course that mirrored the U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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U.S. Air Force Mobile Training Team members instruct Chilean Airmen on how to inspect aircraft lift bags during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 1, 2018. The CDDAR Mobile Training Team consisted of four seasoned crew chiefs who have experience being an aircraft crash team chief. The MTT traveled to Iquique, Chile and then to Antofagasta, Chile. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Charles Biddulph, 21 Space Wing Mobile Training Team member, instructs Chilean Airmen on Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 4, 2018. The two-week CDDAR mirrored the standard U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Mike Powell, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Mobile Training Team member, instructs Chilean Airmen on airbag inflation operation procedures during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 1, 2018. The CDDAR Mobile Training Team consisted of four seasoned crew chiefs who have experience being an aircraft crash team chief. The two-week CDDAR mirrored the standard U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airman First Class Alexis Munoz, unhooks a hose from an airbag manifold during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 1, 2018. The Chilean Airmen were given classroom instruction covering an aircraft recovery plan, personnel protective equipment, and CDDAR operation followed by hands on training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Airman Gonzalo Payacan and Chilean Airmen listen to instruction during Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, June 1, 2018. The two-week CDDAR mirrored the standard U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Salazar, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Mobile Training Team leader, gives instruction to Chilean Airmen during a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class May 30, 2018, at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile. The two-week CDDAR mirrored the standard U.S. Air Force CDDAR course.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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Chilean Air Force Airmen simulate responding to an aircraft crash while U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeremy Jacobs, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Salazar, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Mobile Training Team members, observe during a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class May 30, 2018, at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile. The Chilean Airmen were given classroom instruction covering an aircraft recovery plan, personnel protective equipment, and CDDAR operation followed by hands on training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Salazar, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Mobile Training Team leader, assists Chilean Air Force members put on personal protective equipment while Master Sgt. Mike Powell, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Mobile Training Team member, and the class observe during a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class, May 30, 2018, at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile. The CDDAR Mobile Training Team consisted of four seasoned crew chiefs who have experience being an aircraft crash team chief. The two-week CDDAR mirrored the standard U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Salazar, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Mobile Training Team leader, and Chilean Airman First Class Madelyn Varas assists a Chilean Air Force member put on personal protective equipment during a Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery class, May 30, 2018, at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile. The two-week CDDAR mirrored the standard U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
By Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz / Published June 13, 2018
ANTOFAGASTA, Chile—Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) sent a Mobile Training Team to Chile to conduct training with the Chilean Air Force on Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery, May 13 to June 8.
The CDDAR Mobile Training Team consisted of four seasoned crew chiefs who have experience being an aircraft crash team chief. The crew chiefs hailed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; Hill Air Force Base, Utah and Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
The team traveled from the United States to the 3rd Aviation Group at the Los Condores Air Force Base in Iquique, Chile and then to the 5th Air Brigade Maintenance Group at the Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile.
“I view the MTTs as a key tool in our Security Cooperation apparatus,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Hector L. Gonzalez, Embassy Santiago, Chile, Theater Security Cooperation Air Force section chief.
Gonzalez explained that the MTTs are requested and funded by the Chilean Air Force. “By us being able to provide assistance in an area that they feel a need to improve, we’re building that partnership, that relationship.”
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Powell, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Mobile Training Team member, explained that the MTT taught the basic principles of how to preserve the area surrounding an aircraft mishap for an investigation and recover a damaged or disabled aircraft.
The CDDAR course was instructed in English to the native Spanish speakers for a duration of two weeks, the same as the U.S. Air Force CDDAR course. This was an opportunity for the Chilean Airmen to practice speaking in English as they already often read in English, since their aircraft technical orders are the same as the U.S. Air Force.
“The course being in English actually helped me,” said Chilean Air Force Airman Gonzalo Payacan, 5th Air Brigade Maintenance Group F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief. “
All of the Technical orders of my specialty are written in English. The course helps me prepare when needed.”
Throughout the training course, the Chilean Airmen were given classroom instruction covering an aircraft recovery plan, personnel protective equipment, and CDDAR operation followed by hands on training.
Chilean Airmen demonstrated their knowledge by responding to a simulated damaged disabled F-16 Fighting Falcon and connecting a crane to simulate lifting the aircraft for the final objective of the course.
“To physically see the aircraft lift procedures was a great experience,” Paycan said. “I’m grateful to have experienced it.”
Thirty-five Chilean Airmen graduated the CDDAR course from both locations. The Chilean Airmen hailed from F-16 maintenance career fields to include: crew chiefs, jet engine mechanics, sheet metal technicians, avionics mechanics, safety non-commissioned officers, egress technicians, non-destruction inspection technicians, aircrew flight equipment technicians, maintenance officers and quality assurance inspectors.
“It’s very important we interact with different aircraft specialties when we need to pick up an aircraft,” said Chilean Air Force Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Zepeda, 5th Air Brigade Maintenance Group F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief. “They will have different viewpoints and they are going to be the ones lifting the aircraft.”
Upon completing the final objective, U.S. and Chilean Airmen conducted a team debrief over what went well and what could’ve been improved. The following day the U.S. Airmen held a graduation ceremony for the newly CDDAR certified Chilean Airmen.
“Thank you for your time and your patience and for giving us the instruction, life experiences and your knowledge,” Zepeda said. “The instructors did everything in their power to make the course the best.”