U.S. Army Flight Simulator in Germany Aids German Pilots for New Chinook Fleet
A U.S. Army flight simulator located at the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach’s Storck Barracks in Illesheim, Germany, is providing crucial training for NATO’s aviation community. This facility, known as the Illesheim Flight Simulator Complex (IFSC), is operated by U.S. Army Europe and Africa. It is currently being utilized by German Air Force pilots to prepare for the German Armed Forces' acquisition of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters, expected to be fielded by fall 2027. Two German Air Force pilots, part of the initial cohort for the new aircraft, recently trained at the IFSC. The simulator allows pilots to practice various scenarios, including emergency procedures, challenging landings, and extreme weather operations, in a safe environment. The German pilots also received training at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama, which is the Army’s largest helicopter training institution. Starting in 2028, German Air Force aviators will annually attend Fort Rucker for initial heli...
