Guide Through The Skies

INDIAN OCEAN

07.21.2025

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lucas Hastings 

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73)

Lt. Cmdr. Mark Langford
[e-mail] July 22, 2025

Guide Through the Skies By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lucas J. Hastings, USS George Washington Public Affairs

Air traffic control may sound like a straightforward job, but the intricacy of the work cannot be truly understood without a closer look into the day-to-day operations of the rate. “Working as a team of ACs is a huge part of the job,” said Air-Traffic Controller 1st Class Minh Truong, from Phoenix. “As ACs, we promote teamwork through training and practice.” A crucial aspect to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington’s (CVN 73) carrier air-traffic control center (CATCC) is teamwork. Every position plays a different role that coincides with other members of the team, similar to a football team, a comparison made by Air-Traffic Controller 3rd Class Haydn Lloyd, from Deptford, New Jersey. “I would call the marshal the safety of the team,” said Lloyd. “They control a huge area of coverage and corral aircraft into one point: the marshal point.” The marshal, similar to a safety on defense, works in the deep zones of the field with a wider coverage area. They gather the aircraft at the marshal point, where aircraft accumulate and standby before beginning their descent. From there, the marshal positions the aircraft and gives the information needed for pilots to safely land on time. The last steps for the marshal involve getting the aircraft within 20 miles where they turn over the aircraft to the next position: approach control. “Approach, I call the ‘quarterback’. If the run goes smoothly, it’s because approach did their job,” said Lloyd. “Just like any given Sunday, if your QB does well, the team most likely wins. If they do poorly, then it can be a rough game.” Approach receives the pilot, or the ‘ball’, and starts the ‘final drive’ of the landing process. According to Lloyd, approach is the hardest position to qualify. They receive the pilot from the marshal and assist the pilot in continuing on the path to the final bearing. The final bearing is a line of reference ranging 12 miles off the stern of the ship along which the pilot, air boss, and air-traffic control use to keep the aircraft on a correct path to land safely on the flight deck. Once approach has gotten the aircraft to the 8-mile marker and on course, they ‘hand it off’ to the next team player: final control. “Final control I call the ‘running back,’” said Lloyd. “Just like the running back, who is there to finish the drive and get into the endzone.” Final control directs the pilot to the three-quarter-mile mark, letting the pilot know whether they’re too far left or right, or if they’re too high or too low. All communications from CATCC then go quiet, letting the pilot and the officers on the flight deck take over and allows them to focus, clearly communicate, and complete the landing. Air-Traffic Controller 2nd Class Joshua Kaplan, from O’Fallon, Missouri, considers this to be the most challenging portion of the landing process. “‘A’ school is extremely challenging, with a high attrition rate,” said Kaplan. “The first six weeks of our three months is a test every three days and then practical exercises the rest. Comparatively, our civilian counterparts have a minimum of one year, which is way more time for the same certifications that we test for.” The accelerated training gives ACs the opportunity to practice and experience real-life scenarios in a safe and simulated environment. Once they’ve completed their “A” school education, they either go straight to the fleet or to “C” school, where they receive further training in specific roles and environments pertaining to their prospective commands. “ACs are vital to the ship.” said Lloyd, “At night or during inclement weather is when we really make our money.” ACs continue to play a vital role naval aviation by guiding pilots through treacherous weather, dark nights, and clear skies to safely complete their mission. Naval aviation and carrier operations wouldn’t be possible without them.

Join the conversation with GW online at www.facebook.com/USSGW and www.twitter.com/GW_CVN73. For more news from USS George Washington, visit www. Navy.mil/local/cvn73/.

-GW-

Released/LCDR Langford, Mark /CVN-73 PAO/[e-mail]

• Date Taken: 07.21.2025
• Date Posted: 08.16.2025 18:58
• Story ID: 545765
• Location: INDIAN OCEAN