We control the highway in the sky

Photo By Christopher Freeman | Pfc. Steven Bridgewaters, air traffic control operator, Fox Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, annotates flight movements and times on the visual flight rules log in Fayetteville, N.C., March 31. The log tracks the aircraft's time in the area as well as how many movements it took them to land and depart. This allows the ATCs to refine their skills for quicker support to the pilots. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Freeman/ 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade PAO)  

FAYETTEVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES

03.31.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Freeman 

82nd Combat Aviation Brigade

FORT BRAGG N,C. -- Instead of being in the comfort of an air traffic tower, air traffic controllers assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, are sitting in the grit of the dirt honing their aircraft communication skills.

The air traffic controllers from Fox Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd CAB, conduct a field training exercise, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 30 in preparation for the upcoming ATC mission in support of the joint operation being conducted by 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and 3d Parachute Regiment (PARA) later this month.

“What we do is either give aircraft instruction or assistance in order to make their flight and travels safe,” said Private 1st Class William Jennings, air traffic control operator, 3rd GSAB, 82nd CAB.

This type of coordination between the ATCs and the pilots in the air requires constant training.

“In order for us to do our job, we need to stay proficient,” said Jennings. “We do this by conducting these types of field exercises to refine our skills.”

Controlling traffic with no tower requires a special piece of equipment, known as the TAIS.

“The Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) is the only way we can perform our job without being in a tower,” said Jennings. “There is no other system that we have like the TAIS.”

Jennings used his previous experience in Korea to assist other Paratroopers in learning the systems.

“While in Korea, I learned a lot about the TAIS,” said Jennings. “I was able to pass off the knowledge to those who weren’t as familiar with the system. They can now come out in the morning and set the system without my assistance.”

For Jennings, the system is a thing of beauty.

“I’m a geek,” said Jennings. “I love the hardware and the networking capabilities that the system has. Technology is constantly changing and we and the pilots are learning new systems to enhance our abilities.”

The training helps keep pilots safe, allowing the aviators to focus more on providing aerial support.

“We de-conflict the airspace and do flight following,” said Jennings. “Flight following is how we track aircraft as they report in on predetermined checkpoints. It helps ensure there were no accidents or incidents while the pilots are in-flight.”

These operations prepare the ATCs to operate in multiple environments.

“We practice being in remote locations when aircraft are operating in more dangerous environments, such as forward operating bases,” said Sgt. Shawn Carriere, air traffic control operator, Fox Company, 3rd GSAB, 82nd CAB.

Controlling the skies is like a game of logic, except the pieces are at different altitudes and all moving at the same time.

“It’s like playing chess,” said Carriere. “We have to think several steps ahead. If a pilot changes something, we have to be able to react quickly.”

For Carriere, it’s the uncertainty that keeps him going.

“I love the chaos,” said Carriere. “I can come into a situation and be able to say I contributed to this mission.”

• Date Taken: 03.31.2015
• Date Posted: 04.02.2015 16:55
• Story ID: 159009
• Location: FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US