Officials with the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess AFB, Texas, held a dedication ceremony for a new C-130J Super Hercules simulator on 22 April 2014. Dyess is the first installation to receive the new C-130J simulator, which features a higher resolution and more realistic display. Dyess officials note the cost to run the simulator is an estimated $850 an hour, a savings of $1,500 compared to an approximated flying cost of $2,300 an hour, allowing the 317th AG to save approximately $3 million annually. Additionally, the simulator will save the group approximately $400,000 annually in personnel and travel costs. Aircrews from other C-130J units are expected to train in the new simulator as well.
