107th Air Control Squadron coming to Luke

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stephen Delgado
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Go west was a popular cry in the 19th century. The same two words are the future for the 107th Air Control Squadron Air National Guard unit that will move in December from their present location at 2025 N. 52nd St. in southeast Phoenix to Luke in the far west valley. 

The 107th ACS has the mission of training weapons directors for the Air Force and Air National Guard, according to Tech. Sgt. Adrian Gonzalez, initial qualification training NCO in charge. 

"Weapons directors are responsible for air defense and tactical air control," said Lt. Col. Pam Jackson, 107th ACS commander. "Air defense ensures the protection of North America. Tactical air control is provided for airborne assets assigned to Iraq and Afghanistan. Weapons directors help identify aircraft as friend or foe, and help pilots of high performance fighters target and prosecute unidentified or hostile aircraft that are threatening American or allied personnel or sovereign areas." 

What's more, the 107th ACS has been training weapons directors since 1999. 

"This training operation requires 107th ACS personnel to perform their mission daily from their in-garrison location at Papago Park Military Reservation," Colonel Jackson said. "The unit is blended, meaning it is manned with Air National Guard and Air Force faculty, staff and maintenance professionals. We have had more than 300 graduates."
The 107th ACS is the only school house that offers the basic training course for weapons directors. 

"Our mission is to train personnel with Air Force Specialty Code 1C5X1 on the modular control system and to prepare the students to assume the responsibilities of an operational crew," Sergeant Gonzalez said. 

The basic course contains two hours of classroom academic training daily and six hours at a radar console. The equipment is identical to what they will use in combat, but in the course, simulated training scenarios are provided by the instructors. The basic course lasts 74 days. 

There are six blocks of instruction with this training, Sergeant Gonzalez said.
"They are equipment operation, cutoff and stern intercept procedures, air refueling training, tactical employment, large force employment/simulated live mission academics and live missions." 

Graduates are ready to enter initial-qualification training, according to Sergeant Gonzalez. 

"When students have completed the basic course, they return to their home units if they are air defense, but the air control personnel receive their initial qualification training at the 607th ACS at Luke," he said. "A good portion of this phase of IQT is on-the-job training." 

Some of the principle aspects of this training are refueling, air-to-air missions and using the radar scope to find enemy aircraft, Sergeant Gonzalez said. 

"When enemy aircraft is found, we provide information to our air crews, making it possible to pursue the enemy," he said. 

Sergeant Gonzalez has been with the 107th ACS for two years. He said there are 50 full-time Guardsmen and 20 active-duty personnel who work together to support the operation, maintenance and command support services for the unit. 

The move to Luke will be easier for the students who are billeted at Luke. 

"The majority of people who work at the 107th ACS live in the west valley, so they will be driving a lot less," he said. 

The 107th ACS call sign is Autumn, Colonel Jackson said. 

"Autumn's claim of being a unique blended unit is a badge of honor that every member wears with pride," she said. "Active-duty and Air National Guard professionals working together as a well-oiled machine was just a wild idea when it was launched. Today, our members perform their daily non-stop war-tasked mission with excellence. Their capacity for selfless service and total commitment to excellence is awe inspiring."