New training keeps army employees on cutting edge of radar repair

Army Communicator, Fall, 2004

TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. -- Spinning antenna dishes and blinking scopes are adding realism to the depot's radar training courses. Technical Development Division instructors are incorporating the fully functioning but scaled-down systems into revised and newly-developed courses to enhance the skills of personnel working on the depot's growing radar repair and overhaul missions.

Instructors Ken Garippa and Gordon Butler have developed and are now teaching courses that offer training on antenna and radar theory, which support several types of radar systems maintained here. Students include depot engineers, engineering technicians and electronics-mechanics.

"Previously, the courses were strictly lecture. The small radar systems provide hands-on experience for students and the practical exercises we use are proving very effective in reinforcing the classroom training," Butler said.

The devices are currently used in three courses:

--Introduction to Radar Basics, a 96-hour course focusing on basic radar technologies used in range threat and surveillance systems repaired by depot personnel in Avionics/Intelligence Electronics Warfare Systems and Surveillance Systems directorates.

--Introduction to Antennas is a 40-hour course, and

--A 24-hour seminar that introduces students to Phased Array Radar technology.

The courses familiarize students with the numerous types and functions of radar that depot personnel maintain, such as the tracking radar technology that is integral to range threat and missile guidance and control systems.

The small radar systems are configured to provide students with practical experience on tracking radar, phased array radars and surveillance radar, Butler said. The antenna course teaches about various types of antennas, radiation patterns, antenna theory and also includes a math review and safety segment.

In that course, students actually build an antenna, then use the classroom equipment to verify their calculations. "We introduce variables that show the students what can happen to them in the field. It teaches them to be flexible and to be prepared to make adjustments as they go," Garippa noted.

Training is intensive. A two-week course provides training equivalent to a full college semester, Butler explained. In fact, students can earn college credits for the courses. Luzerne County Community College awards up to 27 credits and Northampton County Community College will award up to 24 credits for electronics courses taken at the Technical Development Division.

In the future, Garippa and Butler plan to add a Moving Target Indication seminar, reflecting the depot's growing workload on such systems as the Air Force's TPN-19 and TPS 75 air defense systems.

"We'll continue to develop courses to meet the changing requirements of the depot mission. Upcoming will be new courses in electronic warfare and surveillance radar," Garippa said.