Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Kemble | ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 5, 2025) Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Paul Davis, right, and...... read more read more
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Inside a dimly lit room illuminated by radar screens and computer monitors sit the air traffic controllers (AC) assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). In the ship’s amphibious air traffic control center (AATCC), the ACs monitor and communicate to the aircraft that shuffle between the flight deck and the sky like a deck of cards, maintaining the safe and expeditious flow of air traffic.
“We’re here to ensure pilots aren’t getting close to other aircraft, and that we’re not sticking two planes together,” said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Chase McClearn, assigned to Wasp. McClearn describes a perfect clear-weather day in AATCC as providing pilots with the ship’s bearing and range, allowing for a one-way, safe approach to Wasp. Due to the unpredictable nature of the ocean, perfect conditions do not ever last forever. Heavy weather causes low visibility, dangerous winds and disruption in communications. Claustrophobic air space restrictions imposed by country borders result in limited flight paths. The team agrees with McClearn’s sentiment on the job, “it is never the same thing every day.”
There are two ways ACs can receive aircraft. The first method is a tactical air and navigation (TACAN) approach. For a TACAN approach, the ACs provide the pilot with instructions to lock on to the bearing of the ship. Once the pilot has Wasp in sight, the ACs pass communications with the pilot to Wasp’s “air boss” or landing single officer, who provides final landing instructions to the aircraft.
“The other method is, we can give them specific altitude and headings to fly so they can intercept the final bearing,” said Senior Chief Air Traffic Controller Bradley Everett, assigned to Wasp, “Once they get onto the final bearing, our final controller gives them a flight path and course information.”
“We can’t afford to make mistakes,” said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Greylyn Sauro, assigned to Wasp. “People’s lives are on the line. You can never go on autopilot."
Both methods require precision that’s taught to all ACs at their technical school, otherwise known as “A” school, over a span of 15 weeks. Because of the constantly changing environment and critical communication inherent in their job description, being an AC demands keen attention to detail and creates little room for error. Each lesson teaches ACs the fundamentals of the equipment they will get to know over their careers, such as radars, radios, and the proper communication tactics between AATCC and aircraft. Prior to graduating, ACs will also be taught the unique aspects of their new duty station and the aircraft that can be embarked.
With great challenge comes great reward for the team. Overcoming stress for the pursuit of victory is part of the AC motto and leads to success for Wasp, the aviation squadrons, and the Navy and Marine Corps as a whole.
“It’s rewarding to control aircraft that are going to be impactful to the mission,” said Everett, “Our mission right now is the safe launch and recovery of aircraft and training.”
“The best part about this job is the hardest,” said McClearn, “It’s never the same thing every day, it never gets boring and makes every day unique.”
Day or night, rain or shine, the ACs keep the lights and radars on in AATCC. With precision and patience, aircraft can continuously rotate between Wasp and the skies, prepared for wherever the ocean may take them.
Wasp is homeported in Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Wasp’s crew is comprised of 1,100 officers and enlisted personnel and can embark over 1,600 Marines. An 844 foot, 41,000 ton warship, Wasp can support up to 31 aircraft and multiple high speed landing craft, providing operational commanders with a combat-ready ship and trained Sailors, prepared to fight and win when called upon.
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.04.2025 14:57 |
| Story ID: | 496793 |
| Location: | ATLANTIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Talking to the Sky: Inside the Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1), by PO2 Justin Kemble, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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