Photo By Senior Airman Audree Campbell | U.S. Air Force 36th Operations Support Squadron’s Senior Airman Noah Chapman, left,...... read more read more
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ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam— The 36th Operations Support Squadron trained U.S. Air Force Airmen from Pacific Air Forces and the 139th Operations Support Squadron on a tower simulation system for exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 14, 2025.
The training was designed to certify air traffic controllers in four different roles to support REFORPAC, effectively increasing air traffic control manpower by 50 percent.
REFORPAC is part of the first-in-a-generation Department-Level Exercise series, a new way of conducting operations in a contested, dynamic environment to build capabilities making a stronger, more deterrent force.
“This training is important because they are receiving FAA certifications,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. River Shank, 36th OSS non-commissioned officer in charge of air traffic control training and standardization. “Without these certifications, the Airmen would not be able to help man the tower for REFORPAC and we would likely need to curtail hours for the exercise.”
The tower simulation system recreates an approximation of Andersen AFB’s flightline. This feature was integral to flightline familiarization and real-time hands-on training to potential real-life scenarios on location.
As the largest-ever contingency response, training military members to maintain readiness and execute missions under stress, with more than 400 aircraft involved, it was imperative air traffic control Airmen confidently handled the influx of airfield activity.
Trainees completed their certifications in preparation for the exercise, which empowered them to ensure airborne and ground vehicles safely stay clear of one another averting aircraft and flightline mishaps.
“REFORPAC is very important for ATC because it challenges us in ways we typically don’t see every day, allowing us to grow as controllers,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Haun, 36th OSS air traffic control watch supervisor.
As of July 30, the tower controlled over 1,600 total military approaches onto Andersen AFB during the exercise.
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2025 18:20 |
| Story ID: | 544343 |
| Location: | GU |
| Web Views: | 147 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, In Control: Training push ensures skies are safe during REFORPAC, by SrA Audree Campbell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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