An engine starting system , the engine starting system comprising: a gas turbine engine including rotational components comprising an engine compressor , an engine turbine , and a rotor shaft operably connecting the engine turbine to the engine compressor, wherein each rotational component is configured to rotate when any one of the rotational components is rotated; an electro-pneumatic starter operably connected to at least one of the rotational components, the electro-pneumatic starter being configured to rotate the rotational components, wherein the electro-pneumatic starter further comprises a turbine wheel including a hub integrally attached to a turbine rotor shaft and a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub, the turbine rotor shaft being operably connected to at least one of the rotational components and configured to rotate the rotational components when air flows through the turbine blades and rotates the turbine wheel; an electric drive motor mechanically connected to the electro-pneumatic starter, the electric drive motor being configured to rotate the rotational components through the electro-pneumatic starter; a motor controller in electronic communication with the electric drive motor, the motor controller being configured to command the electric drive motor to rotate the rotational components at a selected angular velocity for a selected period of time; an auxiliary power unit fluidly connected to the electro-pneumatic starter and electrically connected to the electric drive motor, the auxiliary power unit being configured to generate electricity to power the electric drive motor and provide air to the electro-pneumatic starter to rotate the turbine blades. a gas turbine engine including rotational components comprising an engine compressor , an engine turbine , and a rotor shaft operably connecting the engine turbine to the engine compressor, wherein each rotational component is configured to rotate when any one of the rotational components is rotated; an electro-pneumatic starter operably connected to at least one of the rotational components, the electro-pneumatic starter being configured to rotate the rotational components, wherein the electro-pneumatic starter further comprises a turbine wheel including a hub integrally attached to a turbine rotor shaft and a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub, the turbine rotor shaft being operably connected to at least one of the rotational components and configured to rotate the rotational components when air flows through the turbine blades and rotates the turbine wheel; an electric drive motor mechanically connected to the electro-pneumatic starter, the electric drive motor being configured to rotate the rotational components through the electro-pneumatic starter; a motor controller in electronic communication with the electric drive motor, the motor controller being configured to command the electric drive motor to rotate the rotational components at a selected angular velocity for a selected period of time; an auxiliary power unit fluidly connected to the electro-pneumatic starter and electrically connected to the electric drive motor, the auxiliary power unit being configured to generate electricity to power the electric drive motor and provide air to the electro-pneumatic starter to rotate the turbine blades. <EOS>