Radar Approach Control: No windows, no problem

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman R. J. BIERMANN
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Every day, hundreds of thousands of people travel by airplane, most unaware of the extensive precautions and procedures being taken to ensure a safe transition from point A to B. 

Behind the scenes, Luke Air Force Base's 45-person Radar Approach Control section works to keep a watchful eye on more than 8,000 cubic miles of airspace in the West Valley. 

"Air traffic controllers are a key part of the National Airspace System - a network of everything related to air travel," said Chief Master Sgt. Gregg Mowrer, 56th Operations Support Squadron RAPCON chief controller. "We're responsible for ensuring the safe flow of air traffic; and do this by assigning aircraft to fly carefully planned routes. These routes provide at least three miles of lateral separation or 1,000 feet of vertical separation at all times." 

RAPCON controllers use several locally-assigned radio channels and frequencies to communicate control instructions to Luke's F-16s and any commercial aircraft that enter their airspace. They also use pre-determined departure and arrival routes to safely guide the F-16s to and from the base. All of this requires RAPCON controllers to constantly be on their toes and adapt to an ever-changing environment. 

However simple this may sound, it takes months, sometimes years, of intense training to become a qualified controller, according to Chief Mowrer. 

This training begins in the classroom and follows through to simulator training. Upon completion, students are expected to have retained all applicable regulations to be followed during their entire career. 

"While it is extremely important, book knowledge is not all it takes to make a good controller," said Master Sgt. Tim Qualters, 56th OSS RAPCON assistant chief controller. "It takes a special type of personality and the ability to work well under pressure." 

Controllers work in a small, windowless building using only their radar scopes to ensure safe travel during an average 75,000 annual operations. They also meet several other challenges upon reaching a new duty assignment. Apart from staying current on Federal Aviation Association and Air Force regulations, local procedures and publications must be memorized. 

"No matter how long a person has been a controller, they must constantly be in the books in order to keep up with all the new developments and procedures in the career field," said Tech. Sgt. Juan Gonzalez, 56th OSS RAPCON watch supervisor. "The demands placed on the air traffic system are constantly changing and becoming more and more complex as new technologies become available." 

In addition to keeping pilots safe, new trainees are monitored during their training in becoming controllers. 

"The idea is to let the trainee do as much as they can without compromising safety, while allowing them to recognize conflicts on their own and make control decisions," said Senior Airman Zach Marshall, 56th OSS RAPCON controller. 

Although stressful, many controllers often proclaim their love for and feeling of accomplishment from the job. 

"I know it's cliché, but this is the best job in the Air Force," said Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Rollis, 56th OSS RAPCON controller. "I can't imagine myself doing anything else."