Airfield management: More than FOD

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman R. J. BIERMANN
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Where Luke Air Force Base's air traffic controllers monitor its skies, 56th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management Operations control the flightline assets. 

"It's our responsibility to provide a safe, efficient and effective airfield environment for Luke's airfield operations," said Tech. Sgt. Teresa Valdez, 56th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager. 

To keep this environment safe the unit must inspect the base's 1,326 acres of airfield each day. This includes two runways, 10 taxiways and nearly five miles of parking apron. 

"Our inspections are conducted prior to wing flying and periodically throughout the flying day to ensure the taxiways and runways are free of debris," said Tech. Sgt. Joy Heerding, 56th OSS deputy airfield manager. "This debris could potentially cause foreign object damage if ingested by an aircraft engine and in turn could be detrimental to the mission and safety of the pilot." 

Beyond airfield responsibilities, the unit is responsible for informing 18 base agencies of emergency situations that may occur. 

"We must be aware of everything that happens within our jurisdiction," Sergeant Heerding said. "If there is an emergency, we make the appropriate agencies aware while placing needed restrictions on airfield operations to maintain safety." 

Airfield management is also in charge of ensuring birds, coyotes and other animals do not interfere with airfield operations. The team uses air horns and sirens to scare them away. 

This nine-person team has other tasks to complete too. Each fills one of several roles to include airfield manager and deputy manager, NCOs-in-charge of airfield management operations and airfield management training, airfield management operations supervisors and coordinators. 

"Each of our highly-qualified and dedicated personnel plays an extremely important part in their respective duties to assist in reaching overall mission goals," Sergeant Valdez said. "This team understands that lives are in their hands and none of them take that for granted. Each is dedicated to ensuring our aircraft and pilots leave the airfield and return safely."