With focus on safety, air traffic controllers keep coalition aviators secure

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.15.2017

Story by Senior Airman Ramon Adelan 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

About a hundred feet above the flightline, consistent well-articulated radio communication fills the small room. A 360-degree view of the sky above is augmented by information on computer monitors and luminescent radar screens.

After a few additional radio transmissions, a deafening roar reverberates in the air as a coalition jet was cleared for takeoff by an air traffic controller.

Deployed to the 407th Air Expeditionary Group, tower Airmen are tasked to maintain safety and provide guidance to U.S. Marine Corps and coalition forces in the air and on the ground.
“The general mission of air traffic controllers is to safely and effectively direct the movement of air traffic with radar, computers and radios,” said Master Sgt. Aisha Carr, 407th Expeditionary Operation Support Squadron tower chief controller. “But here, we are responsible for controlling all U.S. and coalition vehicular and airborne traffic.”
U.S. air traffic controllers take on a complex role while operating with coalition partners. The international partners have full control over the airfield, while the Air Force controllers focus on safety.
“Our coalition partners can control all aircraft, regardless if it’s U.S. or other coalition, and we can step in at any time and control any aircraft when it’s in the interest of safety,” Carr said. “We’re frequently providing airfield status information to all pilots and facilitate communication and understanding of operations during coalition sorties.”
In order for tower personnel to take control of their flightline, crews complete extensive training to master airfield layout, common weather conditions, aircraft and flight routes. With frequent, high-velocity movements through limited airspace, aviators rely on their wingmen on the ground.
“We must be vigilant at all times of everything on the airfield and in the air,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Henry, 407th EOSS air traffic controller. “Multi-tasking is key. You watch the sky, look at radar and communicate on the radio simultaneously. Our primary purpose is to get sorties in the air and have them return back safely.”

• Date Taken: 05.15.2017
• Date Posted: 05.16.2017 05:46
• Story ID: 233862
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)