HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (ACCNS) -- For authentic military aspects, DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures looked no further than Air Force personnel for the major motion picture production “Transformers.” The actors did special training for their individual military parts with an Air Force senior noncommissioned officer.
Master Sgt. Ray Bolinger, combat controller with the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, McChord AFB, Wash., personally trained Tyrese Gibson, one of the lead actors, on the mannerisms and language of a combat controller.
“I am his combat control technical advisor,” he said. “I taught him the authentic dialogue of calling in an air strike.”
As a combat controller for the Air Force, Sergeant Bolinger provides air and ground interface, is a certified air traffic controller and calls in air strike attacks when in war.
But Sergeant Bolinger taught more than language and dialogue. He also taught how to dress in military uniform in order to look the part.
From the basic battle dress uniform to adding the bullet-proof vest, Kevlar helmet and weaponry, the actors will look like an authentic special operations team in the movie.
Sergeant Bolinger was able to teach the actors Air Force skills because he is an experienced Airman. He has been a combat controller for 20 years, deployed on missions to Iraq and Afghanistan two times each and is now a terminal attack control instructor.
“I did about two years of training right out of basic,” said Sergeant Bolinger.
Combat controller training starts at Lackland AFB, Texas, then goes to Keesler AFB, Miss.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Pope AFB, N.C.; and Fairchild AFB, Wash. They also train for parachuting at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona and go to dive school with the Navy in Panama City, Fla.
Before joining the Air Force and becoming a combat controller, Sergeant Bolinger graduated from Alamogordo High School in 1983. His father was an F-4 fighter pilot stationed here from 1977 to 1983.
As for the movie, Sergeant Bolinger is excited to see it. He has already trained with the crew in California for a week, he was at Holloman for a week and he may travel to Hollywood later on in the filming.
“This movie is a good thing for the Air Force,” said Sergeant Bolinger. “I think it will help with recruiting, especially for special operations. Having someone so famous playing the role could bring people in.”
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)