WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Altitude chamber training for future flight surgeons began here April 4, 2011, at the new 711th Human Performance Wing complex, becoming one of the latest United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine classes to transition from Brooks City-Base, Texas, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure.

The altitude chamber simulates the effects of high altitude on the human body.

"This is a piece of training that all aviators must complete," said Lt. Col. Tony Wurmstein, chief of USAFSAM's Aerospace and Operational Physiology Branch. "It is essential to demonstrate for them what reduced pressure does to the body."

One of the main effects of reduced pressure on the body is hypoxia, which is a state of oxygen deficiency in blood cells and tissues sufficient to cause performance impairment.

Airman Christopher Lawrence, a physiology technician with USAFSAM's Aerospace and Operational Physiology Branch, says it is important for flight surgeons to experience hypoxia symptoms.

"We train flight surgeons in the altitude chamber so they know how to correct for problems that can occur during flight and be able to fly another day," he said.

The altitude chamber is also used to show students the effect of high altitude on night vision.

"We turn off the lights inside the chamber and conduct night vision demonstrations so the students can see firsthand how your night vision can be altered in the air compared with ground level," said Airman Lawrence.

Two altitude chambers are in the 711 HPW complex and several more will be brought in to conduct high-altitude research. The altitude chambers will also be open to military personnel in the region for refresher training.