21st AS modernizes readiness with EARL system

U.S. Air Force Col. Brian Thomasson, left, 60th Operations Group commander, operates the Experiential Air Refueling Lightweight simulator while Lt. Col. Ed Silva, 21st Airlift Squadron commander, and a Specular Theory staff member observe from a separate screen at Travis Air Force Base, California, Aug. 18, 2026. The simulator provides aircrews an additional way to rehearse aerial refueling tasks in a controlled environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gary Edwards)

21st AS modernizes readiness with EARL system

U.S. Air Force Col. Brian Thomasson, right, 60th Operations Group commander, receives instruction from a Specular Theory staff member on operating the Experiential Air Refueling Lightweight simulator at Travis Air Force Base, California, Aug. 18, 2026. The simulator allows users to practice aerial refueling procedures in a simulated environment while familiarizing aircrews with refueling controls and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gary Edwards)

21st AS modernizes readiness with EARL system

Ryan Pulliam, back right, co-founder of Specular Theory, briefs U.S. Airmen assigned to the 60th Operations Group on the Experiential Air Refueling Lightweight simulator at Travis Air Force Base, California, Aug. 18, 2026. Pulliam demonstrated the simulator’s capabilities and discussed its role in aerial refueling training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gary Edwards)

21st AS modernizes readiness with EARL system

Published Sept. 10, 2026
By Airman Zayd Anderson
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --

The 21st Airlift Squadron recently received an Experiential Air Refueling Lightweight system at Travis Air Force Base, making Travis the first C-17 Globemaster III base in Air Mobility Command to receive the new training capability for C-17 aircrews.

Beginning Aug. 24, Airmen used the system to test and refine flying skills in a simulated environment, supporting the squadron’s efforts to modernize training and strengthen readiness.

Designed to provide a hands-on training experience without launchingan aircraft, the EARL system allows Airmen to buildproficiencywhile reducing the resources and risk associated with live-fly events.

The simulation typically lasts about 30 minutes, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Mary Shanley, 21st AS director of staff. She added that it “allows multi-crew and multi-aircraft training sessions on a single connected network system.”

Shanley said the system gives aircrews another way to rehearse complex scenarios, receive immediate feedback and repeat training events as needed.

Ryan Pulliam, co-founder of Specular Theory, the company behind EARL, said the system is designed to make training “repeatable, measurable and accessible,” allowing users to “make a mistake, see the result, receive feedback and immediately try again.”

According to Pulliam,operatingthe system costs about $40 per hour, offering a lower-cost alternative for some training events while helping reduce demand foraircraftand fuel.

With more than 100 units delivered across the Air Force, the EARL system supports training for sixaircraft, including the C-17, expanding access to simulation-based training across multiple platforms.

For the 21st AS, the arrival of EARL adds a modern trainingoptionat home station, giving Airmen more opportunities to sharpen skills, buildproficiencyand sustain readiness before taking to the air.