Photo By Tech. Sgt. Shanice Ship | Senior Airman William Mclaughlin, 48th Radar, Airfield and Weather Systems technician,...... read more read more
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Members from the 48th Fighter Wing Operations Support Squadron and 48th Contracting Squadron partnered with United Kingdom radar specialists to implement a new integrated radar control capability Sep. 1, 2020.
The new integrated system aims to enhance airfield management and control for Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the 323 Military Training Area in the North Sea, while showcasing continual success and partnership with the U.K.
“This service had been provided to them previously through a letter of agreement with Royal Air Force Unit Swanwick,” said Molly James, 48th FW contracting specialist. “With an expected 80 percent or more increase in traffic with the pending F-35 bed-down, 48th OSS needed a way to bring this capability back in-house.”
The main requirement was for a radar data feed that would enable the 48th OSS to provide Air Traffic Control service to RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, James said.
The integrated system provided auxiliary training opportunities for the Radar, Airfield and Weather Systems specialists who ensure that equipment utilized by air traffic controllers and pilots are in perfect working order. These specialists install and maintain everything from air traffic control and weather equipment to ground control and navigational aids to ensure aircraft can be safely guided through takeoff and landing.
“There will be additional training for our ATC,” said Master. Sgt. Shawn Johnson, 48th OSS RAWS flight chief. “This increases their range of skills and cuts down on any issues we may have from the delay of relying on external radar technicians to direct our pilots in that air space.”
Through bilateral partnerships with host nation agencies, the Liberty Wing continually enhances its capabilities to remain USAFE’s premier combat fighter wing.
| Date Taken: | 05.13.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2021 04:38 |
| Story ID: | 396291 |
| Location: | RAF LAKENHEATH, SUFFOLK, GB |
| Web Views: | 201 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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Air Traffic Control
