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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
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ATC Chief Quarterly News Letter
ATC Chief Quarterly News Letter 2nd Quarter FY 08.
27 March 2008
Second quarter FY 08 ushered in a new and improved approach to ATS training
and training management for A Co 1-11th’s ATC Chief SFC Thomas. The results from the company ICIC revealed that an increased effort was necessary to empower and train current demographic of junior leaders and Air Traffic Controllers that never updated or
generated an FTM (Facility Training Manual) or an FTP (Facility Training
Program). The United States Army Air Traffic Controller is taught at a 10 level (junior enlisted) how to manage or lead in a technical capacity which later in their careers results in a well rounded and well trained Leader.
Technical team building commenced between two stagefields (Brown and
Stinson). At the completion of the company's mission analysis two primary
courses of action were selected and briefed to CPT Clayton Duncan, A Co Commander.
The positive feedback from the Soldiers has been a conduit for the company's moral boost. It appears that Soldiers feel proud and respond well to quantitative training.
A happy, fit, well trained Soldier is more likely to reenlist!
The Soldiers are excited and making attempts to challenge the ATC chief and
dissect the function and design of their respective facilities.
The second quarter began with a 78 average for Soldiers taking the FAA exam. The current average is 81%.
27 March 2008
Second quarter FY 08 ushered in a new and improved approach to ATS training
and training management for A Co 1-11th’s ATC Chief SFC Thomas. The results from the company ICIC revealed that an increased effort was necessary to empower and train current demographic of junior leaders and Air Traffic Controllers that never updated or
generated an FTM (Facility Training Manual) or an FTP (Facility Training
Program). The United States Army Air Traffic Controller is taught at a 10 level (junior enlisted) how to manage or lead in a technical capacity which later in their careers results in a well rounded and well trained Leader.
Technical team building commenced between two stagefields (Brown and
Stinson). At the completion of the company's mission analysis two primary
courses of action were selected and briefed to CPT Clayton Duncan, A Co Commander.
The positive feedback from the Soldiers has been a conduit for the company's moral boost. It appears that Soldiers feel proud and respond well to quantitative training.
A happy, fit, well trained Soldier is more likely to reenlist!
The Soldiers are excited and making attempts to challenge the ATC chief and
dissect the function and design of their respective facilities.
The second quarter began with a 78 average for Soldiers taking the FAA exam. The current average is 81%.
Brown Stagefield
Ebb and Flow
Someone once said the only thing that is constant is change. No where is that more true than at Brown Stagefield. From the amount of air traffic to the personnel controlling the air traffic, a lot has changed at Brown Stagefield recently.
About this time last year Brown Stagefield had a different look and sound to it. The lanes were nearly silent as they were occupied more often by turkeys and other small birds than by the aircraft that had landed on them so frequently just a few short months before. The grass in the sods which had been blown about by the rotor-wash of so many OH-58s, TH-67s, UH-1s and UH-60s now merely swayed with the uneasy winds. In the tower, the controllers sat restless, longing for the days when they were so busy, that their breathing more resembled gasps as they issued clearance after clearance to the aircraft making up their maximum density traffic patterns.
The traffic has started to return to the once idle stagefield. The turkeys and birds now mostly shy away from the lanes as more and more aircraft return to do a myriad of approaches. Most of the controllers from back then have moved on, accomplishing other missions for the Army. They have been replaced with new controllers who are now getting the opportunity to issue clearances to aircraft as they make their closed traffic around the stagefield. The training they receive here will be invaluable as they inevitably follow in their predecessors footsteps and move on to accomplish other missions for the Army. Just as soon as we get the “new batch” of Soldiers trained, they are off and new ones arrive, and the cycle begins again.
Things around the stagefield will undoubtedly change much more in the coming months. Regardless of the amount of change that occurs at the stagefield, one thing is certain: Brown Stagefield will continue to accomplish its mission without fail.
Someone once said the only thing that is constant is change. No where is that more true than at Brown Stagefield. From the amount of air traffic to the personnel controlling the air traffic, a lot has changed at Brown Stagefield recently.
About this time last year Brown Stagefield had a different look and sound to it. The lanes were nearly silent as they were occupied more often by turkeys and other small birds than by the aircraft that had landed on them so frequently just a few short months before. The grass in the sods which had been blown about by the rotor-wash of so many OH-58s, TH-67s, UH-1s and UH-60s now merely swayed with the uneasy winds. In the tower, the controllers sat restless, longing for the days when they were so busy, that their breathing more resembled gasps as they issued clearance after clearance to the aircraft making up their maximum density traffic patterns.
The traffic has started to return to the once idle stagefield. The turkeys and birds now mostly shy away from the lanes as more and more aircraft return to do a myriad of approaches. Most of the controllers from back then have moved on, accomplishing other missions for the Army. They have been replaced with new controllers who are now getting the opportunity to issue clearances to aircraft as they make their closed traffic around the stagefield. The training they receive here will be invaluable as they inevitably follow in their predecessors footsteps and move on to accomplish other missions for the Army. Just as soon as we get the “new batch” of Soldiers trained, they are off and new ones arrive, and the cycle begins again.
Things around the stagefield will undoubtedly change much more in the coming months. Regardless of the amount of change that occurs at the stagefield, one thing is certain: Brown Stagefield will continue to accomplish its mission without fail.
Lowe Stagefield
HOT OFF THE PRESS HOT OFF THE PRESS HOT OFF THE PRESS
LOWE ARMY LIAR
2ND EDITION
DESPITE ADVERSITY, LOWE TOWER PERSONNEL ARE ALWAYS UP TO THE CHALLENGE TO INCLUDE A 750 WORD NEWS ARTICLE THAT ONLY FEW WILL READ. OVER THE PAST MONTH WITH LIMITED PERSONNEL, 18 HOURS A DAY OPERATIONS, AND A FULL TRAINING SCHEDULE, THE CONTROLLERS AT LOWE AHP MADE THE TIME TO ADD TO THE LIST OF FACILITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THIS PROVED TO BE QUITE A FEAT CONSIDERING OUR HUMBLE NATURE.
STANDING OVATIONS ARE IN ORDER FOR SSG MATTHEW DUSCH, WHO SINGLE-HANDEDLY SECURED THE MUCH SOUGHT-AFTER SYMBOLIC TOWER AS THE FACILITY OF THE QUARTER, 1ST QTR FY 08, WHILE A TRAINEE AT THE MOST COMPLEX FACILITY OF A CO 1-11TH AVN REGT..
THIS OUTSTANDING NCO CONTINUED HIS JOURNEY OF EXCELLENCE BY PROPERLY REPORTING AN OPSEC VIOLATION TO THE BN SAFETY OFFICER MR VAN HOOLANDT. THIS VIOLATION OCCURRED THROUGH GOOGLE EARTH BY DEPICTING CLOSE PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES OF OUR AIRFIELD, THE FT. RUCKER MILITARY INSTALLATION AS WELL AS ARMY AIRFIELDS OVERSEAS. THIS OPSEC BREACH RIGHTFULLY GAINED AWARENESS AT THE HIGHEST POST LEVELS AND CAUSED THE POST COMMANDER GEN. PACKETT, AS WELL AS THE POST OPSEC MANAGER MR HULEY TO DISTRIBUTE PRECAUTIONARY EMAIL MEMOS, POSTED TO YOUR RECENT INFORMATION FILES.
FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS, SPC FOSTER DID NOT REST UNTIL HE TRACKED DOWN THE ANSWER TO THE APPEARANCE OF THE LETTERS JO IN THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE FAAO 7110.65, EARNING HIMSELF A FOUR DAY PASS. SEVERAL PUBLICATION SEARCHES AND PHONE CALLS LATER, HE DECIDED TO CALL THE FAA PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT FROM HIS PERSONAL PHONE, ALBEIT OBEYING THE POLICY OF NOT USING A CELL PHONE IN THE TOWER, AS IT APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT FOR SOME CONTROLLERS TO WALK AND CHEW BUBBLE GUM AT THE SAME TIME. (SEE THE CONTINUOUSLY LOWERED GT ENTRY SCORE). HE LEARNED THAT THE LETTERS DO NOT STAND FOR JOINT ORDER, ALTHOUGH THE MEANING LOOSELY REPRESENT THAT, BUT INSTEAD IT IS INDICATIVE OF THE SECTORS TO WHICH THIS ORDER APPLIES AND WILL MOST LIKELY BE TAKEN OFF IN THE NEXT PRINTING, ACCORDING TO THE FAA REPRESENTATIVE THAT HE SPOKE TO.
THIS DEDICATION TO RESEARCH WAS FURTHER DISPLAYED BY LOWE TOWER’S COLLECTIVE SEARCH FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARMY WINDSOCKS. FM 3-04.303, TABLE 8-23 GIVES THE MEASUREMENTS AND REFERS TO FAA-AC 150/5345, AR 95-2, APP E-6 STATES SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS AND IN TURN REFERS TO UFC -535-01. THESE ANSWERS WERE FREELY SHARED WITH THE ATC CHIEF FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ATC. IN ADDITION OUR BELOVED RUST ORANGE MACEDONIA WATER TOWER WAS RE PAINTED BRIGHT WHITE BY THE CITY OF ENTERPRISE. THIS NOW DIS- QUALIFIED IT FOR A DAY TIME VISIBILITY MARKER, SINCE IT NEEDS TO BE A DARK OBJECT ON A LIGHT BACKGROUND. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR RELENTLESS ATC CHIEF WHO HAS EMBARKED ON THE MISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CHANGE.
IN THAT SPIRIT, LOWE TOWER SHARED THE SOLUTION TO A COMMON PROBLEM REGARDING THE “STUCK-MICROPHONE” SYNDROME OF THE WHISPER MIC HEADSETS NSN 5965-01-406-6320. UNDERNEATH THE KEY BUTTON, ONE OBSERVING EYE ( DAC HARRIS ) NOTICED A BLACK SLOTTED CIRCULAR SCREW LOCK. THE SLOT IS SET ON THE VERTICAL MANUFACTURING SETTING. WHEN TURNED HORIZONTALLY, THE LOCK WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE, PREVENTING THE MICROPHONE TO REMAIN KEYED UP. MANY INTERNAL CONVERSATIONS SHALL NO LONGER BE BROADCASTED ACCIDENTALLY.
SPLIT-SECOND DECISION MAKING AND RATIONAL THINKING UNDER PRESSURE WAS THE FOUNDATION OF TAXIING AND LAUNCHING 51 H60s, DURING THE PM LAUNCH WITH ONLY 1 FM RADIO. THE TOWER AS WELL AS THE BASE OPERATIONS TRANSMITTERS WERE OUT OF SERVICE DUE TO A POWER CORD BEING ACCIDENTALLY SLICED AT THE TRANSMITTER SITE SHORTLY AFTER THE LAUNCH PERIOD HAD BEGUN. THROUGH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN SOME FORM OF COMMUNICATION USING OUR AN/GRC 171 AND THE ENSUING INITIAL PILOT’S CONFUSION, AUDIBLE OVER THE VHF AND UHF RECEIVERS, THE PILOTS WERE INFORMED VIA THEIR INTERNAL “FAMILY” FREQUENCY TO SWITCH ALL TRANSMISSIONS TO OUR FM TRANSCEIVER. ALL AGENCIES CONCERNED WERE NOTIFIED AND MAINTENANCE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE LAUNCH WAS COMPLETED WITHOUT ANY SAFETY ISSUES, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE POWER TO THE TRANSMITTER SITE WAS RESTORED.
SFC ROGERS WELL PREPARED HIS PERSONNEL TO CONTINUE WITH FACILITY OPERATIONS (AIR TRAFFIC AS WELL AS MILITARY) WITHOUT DECREASE IN SERVICE OR TRAINING, DESPITE THE ABSENCE OF THE FACILITY CHIEF AND OTHER RATED BODIES DUE TO MILITARY SCHOOLS. PFC FOX AND 2 CIVILIAN CONTROLLERS WERE THE ONLY RATED BODIES WITH 5 TRAINEES. NO TRAINEE WAS LEFT BEHIND!
IN MARCH 2008, 2 CONTROLLERS WERE RATED WITH QA SCORES OF 89% AND 94% FIRST TIME PASSING, DUE TO VIGILANT TRAINING, PROFESSIONALISM, AND PERSONAL PRIDE. SPC FOSTER TIED THE HIGHEST QA SCORE IN THE COMPANY.
CONTINUALLY STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE, LOWE TOWER CONDUCTED A SURVEY WITH THE PRIMARY USERS OF OUR AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES TO CLARIFY PHRASEOLOGY CHOICES IN THE FAAO JO 7110.65S PARA 3-8-1, USED TO SEQUENCE AIRCRAFT INTO OUR 23 OVERLAPPING TRAFFIC PATTERNS FOR 12 PRIMARY DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL PADS. GIVEN THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE PATTERNS AND THE SURGE OF AIRCRAFT RETURNING TO THIS BASE FIELD, UTMOST CLARITY IS KEY TO SAFETY OF FLIGHT.
UPON A SURPRISE VISIT TO THIS OUTSTANDING FACILITY, 1SG PINCKNEY RECEIVED A MOST HOSPITABLE WELCOME WITH A HOME COOKED LUNCH. SINCE THE FACILITY DOES NOT CLOSE FOR THE LUNCH PERIOD, THE TOWER PERSONNEL PERIODICALLY PUT TOGETHER MEALS FOR EVERYONE’S ENJOYMENT.
LASTLY, OUR CREATIVE THINKING AND DEDICATION TO TASK COMPLETION, LEAD LOWE TOWER TO THE EXEMPLARY 905 WORD REPORT IN THIS RIVETING FORMAT FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE
LOWE ARMY LIAR
2ND EDITION
DESPITE ADVERSITY, LOWE TOWER PERSONNEL ARE ALWAYS UP TO THE CHALLENGE TO INCLUDE A 750 WORD NEWS ARTICLE THAT ONLY FEW WILL READ. OVER THE PAST MONTH WITH LIMITED PERSONNEL, 18 HOURS A DAY OPERATIONS, AND A FULL TRAINING SCHEDULE, THE CONTROLLERS AT LOWE AHP MADE THE TIME TO ADD TO THE LIST OF FACILITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THIS PROVED TO BE QUITE A FEAT CONSIDERING OUR HUMBLE NATURE.
STANDING OVATIONS ARE IN ORDER FOR SSG MATTHEW DUSCH, WHO SINGLE-HANDEDLY SECURED THE MUCH SOUGHT-AFTER SYMBOLIC TOWER AS THE FACILITY OF THE QUARTER, 1ST QTR FY 08, WHILE A TRAINEE AT THE MOST COMPLEX FACILITY OF A CO 1-11TH AVN REGT..
THIS OUTSTANDING NCO CONTINUED HIS JOURNEY OF EXCELLENCE BY PROPERLY REPORTING AN OPSEC VIOLATION TO THE BN SAFETY OFFICER MR VAN HOOLANDT. THIS VIOLATION OCCURRED THROUGH GOOGLE EARTH BY DEPICTING CLOSE PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES OF OUR AIRFIELD, THE FT. RUCKER MILITARY INSTALLATION AS WELL AS ARMY AIRFIELDS OVERSEAS. THIS OPSEC BREACH RIGHTFULLY GAINED AWARENESS AT THE HIGHEST POST LEVELS AND CAUSED THE POST COMMANDER GEN. PACKETT, AS WELL AS THE POST OPSEC MANAGER MR HULEY TO DISTRIBUTE PRECAUTIONARY EMAIL MEMOS, POSTED TO YOUR RECENT INFORMATION FILES.
FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS, SPC FOSTER DID NOT REST UNTIL HE TRACKED DOWN THE ANSWER TO THE APPEARANCE OF THE LETTERS JO IN THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE FAAO 7110.65, EARNING HIMSELF A FOUR DAY PASS. SEVERAL PUBLICATION SEARCHES AND PHONE CALLS LATER, HE DECIDED TO CALL THE FAA PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT FROM HIS PERSONAL PHONE, ALBEIT OBEYING THE POLICY OF NOT USING A CELL PHONE IN THE TOWER, AS IT APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT FOR SOME CONTROLLERS TO WALK AND CHEW BUBBLE GUM AT THE SAME TIME. (SEE THE CONTINUOUSLY LOWERED GT ENTRY SCORE). HE LEARNED THAT THE LETTERS DO NOT STAND FOR JOINT ORDER, ALTHOUGH THE MEANING LOOSELY REPRESENT THAT, BUT INSTEAD IT IS INDICATIVE OF THE SECTORS TO WHICH THIS ORDER APPLIES AND WILL MOST LIKELY BE TAKEN OFF IN THE NEXT PRINTING, ACCORDING TO THE FAA REPRESENTATIVE THAT HE SPOKE TO.
THIS DEDICATION TO RESEARCH WAS FURTHER DISPLAYED BY LOWE TOWER’S COLLECTIVE SEARCH FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARMY WINDSOCKS. FM 3-04.303, TABLE 8-23 GIVES THE MEASUREMENTS AND REFERS TO FAA-AC 150/5345, AR 95-2, APP E-6 STATES SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS AND IN TURN REFERS TO UFC -535-01. THESE ANSWERS WERE FREELY SHARED WITH THE ATC CHIEF FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ATC. IN ADDITION OUR BELOVED RUST ORANGE MACEDONIA WATER TOWER WAS RE PAINTED BRIGHT WHITE BY THE CITY OF ENTERPRISE. THIS NOW DIS- QUALIFIED IT FOR A DAY TIME VISIBILITY MARKER, SINCE IT NEEDS TO BE A DARK OBJECT ON A LIGHT BACKGROUND. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR RELENTLESS ATC CHIEF WHO HAS EMBARKED ON THE MISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CHANGE.
IN THAT SPIRIT, LOWE TOWER SHARED THE SOLUTION TO A COMMON PROBLEM REGARDING THE “STUCK-MICROPHONE” SYNDROME OF THE WHISPER MIC HEADSETS NSN 5965-01-406-6320. UNDERNEATH THE KEY BUTTON, ONE OBSERVING EYE ( DAC HARRIS ) NOTICED A BLACK SLOTTED CIRCULAR SCREW LOCK. THE SLOT IS SET ON THE VERTICAL MANUFACTURING SETTING. WHEN TURNED HORIZONTALLY, THE LOCK WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE, PREVENTING THE MICROPHONE TO REMAIN KEYED UP. MANY INTERNAL CONVERSATIONS SHALL NO LONGER BE BROADCASTED ACCIDENTALLY.
SPLIT-SECOND DECISION MAKING AND RATIONAL THINKING UNDER PRESSURE WAS THE FOUNDATION OF TAXIING AND LAUNCHING 51 H60s, DURING THE PM LAUNCH WITH ONLY 1 FM RADIO. THE TOWER AS WELL AS THE BASE OPERATIONS TRANSMITTERS WERE OUT OF SERVICE DUE TO A POWER CORD BEING ACCIDENTALLY SLICED AT THE TRANSMITTER SITE SHORTLY AFTER THE LAUNCH PERIOD HAD BEGUN. THROUGH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN SOME FORM OF COMMUNICATION USING OUR AN/GRC 171 AND THE ENSUING INITIAL PILOT’S CONFUSION, AUDIBLE OVER THE VHF AND UHF RECEIVERS, THE PILOTS WERE INFORMED VIA THEIR INTERNAL “FAMILY” FREQUENCY TO SWITCH ALL TRANSMISSIONS TO OUR FM TRANSCEIVER. ALL AGENCIES CONCERNED WERE NOTIFIED AND MAINTENANCE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE LAUNCH WAS COMPLETED WITHOUT ANY SAFETY ISSUES, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE POWER TO THE TRANSMITTER SITE WAS RESTORED.
SFC ROGERS WELL PREPARED HIS PERSONNEL TO CONTINUE WITH FACILITY OPERATIONS (AIR TRAFFIC AS WELL AS MILITARY) WITHOUT DECREASE IN SERVICE OR TRAINING, DESPITE THE ABSENCE OF THE FACILITY CHIEF AND OTHER RATED BODIES DUE TO MILITARY SCHOOLS. PFC FOX AND 2 CIVILIAN CONTROLLERS WERE THE ONLY RATED BODIES WITH 5 TRAINEES. NO TRAINEE WAS LEFT BEHIND!
IN MARCH 2008, 2 CONTROLLERS WERE RATED WITH QA SCORES OF 89% AND 94% FIRST TIME PASSING, DUE TO VIGILANT TRAINING, PROFESSIONALISM, AND PERSONAL PRIDE. SPC FOSTER TIED THE HIGHEST QA SCORE IN THE COMPANY.
CONTINUALLY STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE, LOWE TOWER CONDUCTED A SURVEY WITH THE PRIMARY USERS OF OUR AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES TO CLARIFY PHRASEOLOGY CHOICES IN THE FAAO JO 7110.65S PARA 3-8-1, USED TO SEQUENCE AIRCRAFT INTO OUR 23 OVERLAPPING TRAFFIC PATTERNS FOR 12 PRIMARY DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL PADS. GIVEN THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE PATTERNS AND THE SURGE OF AIRCRAFT RETURNING TO THIS BASE FIELD, UTMOST CLARITY IS KEY TO SAFETY OF FLIGHT.
UPON A SURPRISE VISIT TO THIS OUTSTANDING FACILITY, 1SG PINCKNEY RECEIVED A MOST HOSPITABLE WELCOME WITH A HOME COOKED LUNCH. SINCE THE FACILITY DOES NOT CLOSE FOR THE LUNCH PERIOD, THE TOWER PERSONNEL PERIODICALLY PUT TOGETHER MEALS FOR EVERYONE’S ENJOYMENT.
LASTLY, OUR CREATIVE THINKING AND DEDICATION TO TASK COMPLETION, LEAD LOWE TOWER TO THE EXEMPLARY 905 WORD REPORT IN THIS RIVETING FORMAT FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE
Runkle News
Runkle - General Rey Visit
Runkle personnel have been working very close to the Spanish speaking Arcia student pilots. We have lived through their mistakes and accomplishments as they take on flight school. They have also seen our controllers grow from never spoken to an aircraft to becoming facility rated. Communication between us has been aimed at improving training and helping us be better controllers. Working together we have been able to better prepare for the upcoming week and the amount of traffic we would be receiving resulting in better training for the controllers and better scenarios with different situations. Also, we have been better able to accommodate the Arcia class with our ATC services. I think the end result has been a safe and effective training for all.
With all the training and this being the first class of pilots that the Colombian government has sent in a while, Runkle received a visit from Columbian Brigadier General Rey. With a heavy traffic load the week prior the controllers at Runkle were still able to clean and prepare the tower for the General’s visit. The controllers’ hard work and immaculate attention to detail made the tower glisten on Monday morning, it could be seen from the post HQ building. The General’s UH-60 came in through the Arcia traffic that was already hard at work. Expecting the General and maybe an aid or two, when his aircraft came to a stop, out came the General, a National Police Officer, another officer and three civilian advisers. Along with them was a US Army Major, CPT Gonzales – the Arcia company commander and of course the VIP PFC Beyler, the General’s driver. The General was greeted by CPT Duncan and me, while SFC Thomas was taking pictures business-like in the background. With a quick tour of the stagefield house the General’s questions revolved around Spanish training for the controllers and the experience they received here. Up in the tower was SGT Calderon persistently controlling traffic while SPC Vasquez and SPC Ortiz helped as Shift Leader and Flight Data. While in the tower, the General then shifted his question to operations and the approaches being conducted. While having all these people are in the tower and about 5 different conversations going on, SGT Calderon kept on with business and controlled his traffic. After about 45 minutes the group made their way downstairs and to witness an autorotation from the base of the tower. Just before boarding, the General turned to me and expressed his gratitude and said he admired our professionalism and presented Runkle with a Colombian Coin.
Runkle personnel have been working very close to the Spanish speaking Arcia student pilots. We have lived through their mistakes and accomplishments as they take on flight school. They have also seen our controllers grow from never spoken to an aircraft to becoming facility rated. Communication between us has been aimed at improving training and helping us be better controllers. Working together we have been able to better prepare for the upcoming week and the amount of traffic we would be receiving resulting in better training for the controllers and better scenarios with different situations. Also, we have been better able to accommodate the Arcia class with our ATC services. I think the end result has been a safe and effective training for all.
With all the training and this being the first class of pilots that the Colombian government has sent in a while, Runkle received a visit from Columbian Brigadier General Rey. With a heavy traffic load the week prior the controllers at Runkle were still able to clean and prepare the tower for the General’s visit. The controllers’ hard work and immaculate attention to detail made the tower glisten on Monday morning, it could be seen from the post HQ building. The General’s UH-60 came in through the Arcia traffic that was already hard at work. Expecting the General and maybe an aid or two, when his aircraft came to a stop, out came the General, a National Police Officer, another officer and three civilian advisers. Along with them was a US Army Major, CPT Gonzales – the Arcia company commander and of course the VIP PFC Beyler, the General’s driver. The General was greeted by CPT Duncan and me, while SFC Thomas was taking pictures business-like in the background. With a quick tour of the stagefield house the General’s questions revolved around Spanish training for the controllers and the experience they received here. Up in the tower was SGT Calderon persistently controlling traffic while SPC Vasquez and SPC Ortiz helped as Shift Leader and Flight Data. While in the tower, the General then shifted his question to operations and the approaches being conducted. While having all these people are in the tower and about 5 different conversations going on, SGT Calderon kept on with business and controlled his traffic. After about 45 minutes the group made their way downstairs and to witness an autorotation from the base of the tower. Just before boarding, the General turned to me and expressed his gratitude and said he admired our professionalism and presented Runkle with a Colombian Coin.
Shell Stagefield
Shell Army Heliport, nestled between Fort Rucker, Enterprise, and Ozark is home to a fleet of TH 67’s and OH 58’s. Shell operates from 0630 and midnight Monday thru Friday regardless of pilot training statuses and weather. Shell is likely to be one of few airfields open when all other fields have canceled. Soldiers assigned to Shell receive a unique opportunity to train and learn from experienced controllers at Fort Rucker as Shell is operated primarily by Department of the Army Civilian controllers. All of our DA civilians are prior military/FAA. The average experience of the civilian controllers is 21 years of actual military/FAA experience as opposed to 5 or 6 years amongst the military controllers.
Our birds at Shell depart and conduct their training at Brown, Runkle, Florala, Andalusia and Troy. Our heaviest periods of traffic occur when they all launch and recover to Shell. Controllers assigned to shell are pushed to their full potential sometimes handling upwards of 40+ aircraft inside of a 30 minute window across all of our corridors. With that many aircraft all wanting to come into land or depart it takes the utmost focus and concentration to ensure separation is maintained, and safety is not compromised. Even our most experienced controllers get pushed during these periods of heavy traffic when unexpected events occur.
Recently we hailed the arrival of SSG Williams from Andalusia Airport. He comes to us with his wife Sandy and his ratings include a GCA rating from Andalusia, and a tower rating from Hanchey. We also acknowledge and say good-bye to those leaving to do greater things for the Army abroad. Newly rated SPC Mckenna and his wife will be leaving on assignment to Fort Drum, NY. During his time here he worked as a Battalion Information Management officer as he showed exceptional aptitude in computer electronics and software. SSG Cottner, his wife Lelia, and their 6 children will transition to fill the request for 1 controller at Fort Carson, CO. SSG Cottner was the NCOIC at Shell during his 3 years at Fort Rucker.
Shell Tower is currently in the middle of renovations and we were relocated from the main tower to a T1 tower. The T1 is a tiny box capable of holding 3 people on top of scaffolding adjacent to Alpha row. Renovations included the installation of a new fire suppression system and a kitchen at the base of the tower so AAFES will be capable of cooking food to sell to the pilots and other personnel. The anticipated completion date for renovations is unknown however it has been subject to unexpected pitfalls and setbacks. During the transition the team at Shell prided itself on being able to relocate within an 8 hour time period without affecting the operational status of Shell Army Heliport.
Currently there are rumors of a new fleet of aircraft being moved to Shell. If this prove to be true it will establish a more permanent status for Shell and bring more traffic to the already experienced controllers at Shell, giving us more opportunities to better our skills at controlling traffic. This in turn will better our relationship with the pilots and students flying out of Shell.. Lastly a little history of Shell Army Heliport.
Lieutenant John R. Shell was born on 17 December 1917 in Franklin, AR. He enlisted as a Private for Battery C, 206th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft), Arkansas National Guard on 2 December 1937. He rose to Corporal and was honorably discharged upon completing service on 1 December 1940. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve on 12 May 1941. He graduated as a pilot in Class 2 in 1942 at the Department of Air Training, Fort Sill, OK. In October 1942 he reported to Camp Pickett, VA, where he joined two groups of liaison pilots. Captain Ford E. Alcorn chose Shell and 2 others (Captain Brenton A. Devol and Lieutenant William H. Butler) for a special mission. The group proceeded to Bermuda where they joined the aircraft carrier, USS RANGER, and 3 L-4 aircraft. Shell and the 2 others flew these planes ashore in the North African invasion to become the first Army Aviators in combat. Flying in from about 60 miles at sea, the group took heavy fire from allied ships. Shortly after arriving in North Africa, Shell was assigned as Aviation Officer with the 1st Armored Division. On 6 May 1943, just south of Mateur, Tunisia, he was killed by a German 88mm gun.
Our birds at Shell depart and conduct their training at Brown, Runkle, Florala, Andalusia and Troy. Our heaviest periods of traffic occur when they all launch and recover to Shell. Controllers assigned to shell are pushed to their full potential sometimes handling upwards of 40+ aircraft inside of a 30 minute window across all of our corridors. With that many aircraft all wanting to come into land or depart it takes the utmost focus and concentration to ensure separation is maintained, and safety is not compromised. Even our most experienced controllers get pushed during these periods of heavy traffic when unexpected events occur.
Recently we hailed the arrival of SSG Williams from Andalusia Airport. He comes to us with his wife Sandy and his ratings include a GCA rating from Andalusia, and a tower rating from Hanchey. We also acknowledge and say good-bye to those leaving to do greater things for the Army abroad. Newly rated SPC Mckenna and his wife will be leaving on assignment to Fort Drum, NY. During his time here he worked as a Battalion Information Management officer as he showed exceptional aptitude in computer electronics and software. SSG Cottner, his wife Lelia, and their 6 children will transition to fill the request for 1 controller at Fort Carson, CO. SSG Cottner was the NCOIC at Shell during his 3 years at Fort Rucker.
Shell Tower is currently in the middle of renovations and we were relocated from the main tower to a T1 tower. The T1 is a tiny box capable of holding 3 people on top of scaffolding adjacent to Alpha row. Renovations included the installation of a new fire suppression system and a kitchen at the base of the tower so AAFES will be capable of cooking food to sell to the pilots and other personnel. The anticipated completion date for renovations is unknown however it has been subject to unexpected pitfalls and setbacks. During the transition the team at Shell prided itself on being able to relocate within an 8 hour time period without affecting the operational status of Shell Army Heliport.
Currently there are rumors of a new fleet of aircraft being moved to Shell. If this prove to be true it will establish a more permanent status for Shell and bring more traffic to the already experienced controllers at Shell, giving us more opportunities to better our skills at controlling traffic. This in turn will better our relationship with the pilots and students flying out of Shell.. Lastly a little history of Shell Army Heliport.
Lieutenant John R. Shell was born on 17 December 1917 in Franklin, AR. He enlisted as a Private for Battery C, 206th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft), Arkansas National Guard on 2 December 1937. He rose to Corporal and was honorably discharged upon completing service on 1 December 1940. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve on 12 May 1941. He graduated as a pilot in Class 2 in 1942 at the Department of Air Training, Fort Sill, OK. In October 1942 he reported to Camp Pickett, VA, where he joined two groups of liaison pilots. Captain Ford E. Alcorn chose Shell and 2 others (Captain Brenton A. Devol and Lieutenant William H. Butler) for a special mission. The group proceeded to Bermuda where they joined the aircraft carrier, USS RANGER, and 3 L-4 aircraft. Shell and the 2 others flew these planes ashore in the North African invasion to become the first Army Aviators in combat. Flying in from about 60 miles at sea, the group took heavy fire from allied ships. Shortly after arriving in North Africa, Shell was assigned as Aviation Officer with the 1st Armored Division. On 6 May 1943, just south of Mateur, Tunisia, he was killed by a German 88mm gun.
South Alabama Regional Airport
South Alabama Regional Airport
South Alabama Regional Airport, or SARA as we call it, is currently undergoing a massive amount of renovation. The renovations include a 1,000 foot runway extension, a new Instrument Landing System, and numerous hangers throughout the airport that will be used for aircraft refurbishment. Recent additions to the airport are Crash/Rescue and upgrades to the RADAR. In the past if there was any type of aircraft incident requiring Crash, tower personnel would have to call 911. Not only was it 911 (not on the airfield), but most of the firefighters were volunteer. The lack of a dedicated crash crew ultimately meant a slow response time. Having Crash on site is not only faster, but also much safer. To add to the safety of flying, SARA is received an upgrade to the RADAR that comes in the form of the 18A, 1956 technology. This upgrade, though old, is a vast improvement over the 18 in which we had. The current scopes have less clutter and a much crisper display, thus improving on safety. In addition to the newer RADAR, the airfield will be receiving a new Instrument Landing System (ILS). The addition of an ILS will be a vast improvement over existing NAVAIDS. This will not only provide one but two precision approaches into SARA. The “plan” is to overlay the current GCA approach with the ILS and flight check them together. Once the flight check is complete, the end state should be a viable IFR certified GCA as well as the ILS.
Over the next five years the airport authority is spending an estimated 65 million dollars on the project. This is a very large sum of money, but it will yield large dividends long term. It will mean more jobs for the community. All of the improvements will have a drastic effect on Soldiers by providing top notch ATC training and experience for Alpha Company.
SARA would like to welcome a couple of new Soldiers: first, SPC Blanchard from Tabernacle Stagefield by way of Brown. SPC Blanchard is assigned as a trainee in the tower, and even though he drives a station wagon, will be a valuable asset to the facility.
Secondly, we would like to welcome SPC McWhorter. SPC McWhorter has reclassed in to the MOS, thus leaving the life of luxury as an 11B Infantryman. I don’t know why anyone would want to leave that life, but we are happy to have him. He is assigned as a trainee in the GCA.
Unfortunately, along with welcomes there are normally good byes. This case is no different. We would like to say thank you and good bye to two Soldiers. First, SPC Robinson and his family, SPC Robinson is ETSing from the Army. He has served at SARA tower for two years as a Shift Leader, Training Supervisor and even the Facility Chief for a short time. SPC Robinson, thank you for your hard work and dedication to SARA and even though you are a Georgia Bulldog fan, you and your family will be missed. We wish you and your family the best of luck.
We would also like to say goodbye to PFC Huber and his wife. Though he was assigned here only a year, he was a valuable asset to the SARA family. He was assigned as a Shift Leader in the tower. PFC Huber has re-enlisted to go to Germany. We would like to wish you and your wife the best of luck. Oh, and wipe those tears. Green Bay will eventually find a new Quarterback.
South Alabama Regional Airport, or SARA as we call it, is currently undergoing a massive amount of renovation. The renovations include a 1,000 foot runway extension, a new Instrument Landing System, and numerous hangers throughout the airport that will be used for aircraft refurbishment. Recent additions to the airport are Crash/Rescue and upgrades to the RADAR. In the past if there was any type of aircraft incident requiring Crash, tower personnel would have to call 911. Not only was it 911 (not on the airfield), but most of the firefighters were volunteer. The lack of a dedicated crash crew ultimately meant a slow response time. Having Crash on site is not only faster, but also much safer. To add to the safety of flying, SARA is received an upgrade to the RADAR that comes in the form of the 18A, 1956 technology. This upgrade, though old, is a vast improvement over the 18 in which we had. The current scopes have less clutter and a much crisper display, thus improving on safety. In addition to the newer RADAR, the airfield will be receiving a new Instrument Landing System (ILS). The addition of an ILS will be a vast improvement over existing NAVAIDS. This will not only provide one but two precision approaches into SARA. The “plan” is to overlay the current GCA approach with the ILS and flight check them together. Once the flight check is complete, the end state should be a viable IFR certified GCA as well as the ILS.
Over the next five years the airport authority is spending an estimated 65 million dollars on the project. This is a very large sum of money, but it will yield large dividends long term. It will mean more jobs for the community. All of the improvements will have a drastic effect on Soldiers by providing top notch ATC training and experience for Alpha Company.
SARA would like to welcome a couple of new Soldiers: first, SPC Blanchard from Tabernacle Stagefield by way of Brown. SPC Blanchard is assigned as a trainee in the tower, and even though he drives a station wagon, will be a valuable asset to the facility.
Secondly, we would like to welcome SPC McWhorter. SPC McWhorter has reclassed in to the MOS, thus leaving the life of luxury as an 11B Infantryman. I don’t know why anyone would want to leave that life, but we are happy to have him. He is assigned as a trainee in the GCA.
Unfortunately, along with welcomes there are normally good byes. This case is no different. We would like to say thank you and good bye to two Soldiers. First, SPC Robinson and his family, SPC Robinson is ETSing from the Army. He has served at SARA tower for two years as a Shift Leader, Training Supervisor and even the Facility Chief for a short time. SPC Robinson, thank you for your hard work and dedication to SARA and even though you are a Georgia Bulldog fan, you and your family will be missed. We wish you and your family the best of luck.
We would also like to say goodbye to PFC Huber and his wife. Though he was assigned here only a year, he was a valuable asset to the SARA family. He was assigned as a Shift Leader in the tower. PFC Huber has re-enlisted to go to Germany. We would like to wish you and your wife the best of luck. Oh, and wipe those tears. Green Bay will eventually find a new Quarterback.
Stinson Stagefield
TRAIN AS YOU FIGHT
Stinson Stagefield has always had a small but dedicated group of Non Commissioned Officers that truly believed in and supported any opportunity to train, both Air Traffic Control and Common Task Training. The training here at Fort Rucker places a great deal of weight on Air Traffic Control training, but not as much on the basic soldier skills and common tasks.
At Stinson, we have been trying to find a good way to get our annual Common Task Training completed amidst our ever-changing schedule. One weekend our facility decided to all go play paintball as an esprit de corps and moral boosting exercise. It quickly became apparent, that we could have a blast playing paintball and incorporate practical training simultaneously. We have started a monthly paintball exercise, in which we gather as many soldiers as possible at Hotshots in Dothan for some great training and an all around good time. Our invitations extend to everyone in the battalion and we have also had soldiers from the AOB participate. While paintball is not real combat, it has given us a better perspective on combat and taught us some valuable lessons, such as the importance of communication and suppressive fire. Our team found themselves defeated early and often, until we started informing each other of the enemy’s position and asking for suppressive fire before moving to a new position. Yes, we have all been taught about this at one time or another, but it really doesn’t click until you try to move from your current position and get riddled with paintballs. The sting from the impact does not last long, but it hurts just enough to appreciate and respect being shot. If you aren’t impressed by the sting, the bruise will give you a visual reminder. In regards to our Common Task Training, we are presently focusing on movement to contact and movement under direct and indirect fire. In the near future we will try to incorporate other training, such as first aid in a combat environment, 9-line medivac request under combat conditions, S.A.L.U.T.E. reporting, the 7 life-saving steps, and other tactical skills that are valuable in a combat situation. Usually, most of our facility attends the gathering, and we always appreciate it, when soldiers from other facilities, units, and battalions attend as well. The best participation we have had at one exercise is 22 soldiers. This opportunity isn’t the standard training class most think of, but an exciting action packed exercise. We make paintball as fun as possible, because when soldiers are having fun they are more likely to learn and remember what they have been taught. The training potential in paintball is great and hopefully we can get the higher echelon involved in the future.
Stinson Stagefield has always had a small but dedicated group of Non Commissioned Officers that truly believed in and supported any opportunity to train, both Air Traffic Control and Common Task Training. The training here at Fort Rucker places a great deal of weight on Air Traffic Control training, but not as much on the basic soldier skills and common tasks.
At Stinson, we have been trying to find a good way to get our annual Common Task Training completed amidst our ever-changing schedule. One weekend our facility decided to all go play paintball as an esprit de corps and moral boosting exercise. It quickly became apparent, that we could have a blast playing paintball and incorporate practical training simultaneously. We have started a monthly paintball exercise, in which we gather as many soldiers as possible at Hotshots in Dothan for some great training and an all around good time. Our invitations extend to everyone in the battalion and we have also had soldiers from the AOB participate. While paintball is not real combat, it has given us a better perspective on combat and taught us some valuable lessons, such as the importance of communication and suppressive fire. Our team found themselves defeated early and often, until we started informing each other of the enemy’s position and asking for suppressive fire before moving to a new position. Yes, we have all been taught about this at one time or another, but it really doesn’t click until you try to move from your current position and get riddled with paintballs. The sting from the impact does not last long, but it hurts just enough to appreciate and respect being shot. If you aren’t impressed by the sting, the bruise will give you a visual reminder. In regards to our Common Task Training, we are presently focusing on movement to contact and movement under direct and indirect fire. In the near future we will try to incorporate other training, such as first aid in a combat environment, 9-line medivac request under combat conditions, S.A.L.U.T.E. reporting, the 7 life-saving steps, and other tactical skills that are valuable in a combat situation. Usually, most of our facility attends the gathering, and we always appreciate it, when soldiers from other facilities, units, and battalions attend as well. The best participation we have had at one exercise is 22 soldiers. This opportunity isn’t the standard training class most think of, but an exciting action packed exercise. We make paintball as fun as possible, because when soldiers are having fun they are more likely to learn and remember what they have been taught. The training potential in paintball is great and hopefully we can get the higher echelon involved in the future.
Tabernacle Stagefield
Hello from Tabernacle Stagefield. Tab would like to say good-bye to Spc Jelenc whom departed from not only Alpha Company but also the Army on the 1st of April. We wish her and her daughter the very best in their future endeavourers.
In the next few months, Tabernacle will also be saying good-bye to several others of our outstanding Soldiers: SFC Lord, SSG Vidro, SGT Toms, and SFC Minus. SFC Lord, Tabernacle’s facility chief, must have made someone mad, so she is being punished by not being reassigned to Ft. Drum, but now is on orders for Hawaii! Just kidding about being punished, SFC Lord will surely be missed and is well deserving of an outstanding assignment like Hawaii. We wish her the very best. SSG Vidro, who served as the facility’s training supervisor at Tabernacle, and his son will also be departing us in the later part of June to head to the land of Oktoberfest, for their second tour to Germany. We wish them the best. Also in June, SGT Toms will be departing Tabernacle and heading down for some fun in the sun in Honduras. We wish him and his family all the best. Finally, although he’s only been out at Tab since January of this year, and got rated in April, SFC Minus will be departing Tab and becoming the new 1SG for Alpha Company.
For the remaining Soldiers at Tabernacle, Spc Firnhaber, PFC Ayers, and PFC Graff, they are all preparing for a great and fun summer. Each of them have recently purchased new motorcycles and can’t wait to complete the Motorcycle safety course so they can get out there safely, on their bikes!
In the next few months, Tabernacle will also be saying good-bye to several others of our outstanding Soldiers: SFC Lord, SSG Vidro, SGT Toms, and SFC Minus. SFC Lord, Tabernacle’s facility chief, must have made someone mad, so she is being punished by not being reassigned to Ft. Drum, but now is on orders for Hawaii! Just kidding about being punished, SFC Lord will surely be missed and is well deserving of an outstanding assignment like Hawaii. We wish her the very best. SSG Vidro, who served as the facility’s training supervisor at Tabernacle, and his son will also be departing us in the later part of June to head to the land of Oktoberfest, for their second tour to Germany. We wish them the best. Also in June, SGT Toms will be departing Tabernacle and heading down for some fun in the sun in Honduras. We wish him and his family all the best. Finally, although he’s only been out at Tab since January of this year, and got rated in April, SFC Minus will be departing Tab and becoming the new 1SG for Alpha Company.
For the remaining Soldiers at Tabernacle, Spc Firnhaber, PFC Ayers, and PFC Graff, they are all preparing for a great and fun summer. Each of them have recently purchased new motorcycles and can’t wait to complete the Motorcycle safety course so they can get out there safely, on their bikes!
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