Last Transmission

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Madonna Moffatte, 407 Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, deployed from 35th Operational Support Squadron, Davis Mothen, Ariz., air traffic controller, sends her last transmission from the old tower as the new air traffic control tower in the background becomes operational shortly after midnight March 12, 2010 at Ali Base, Iraq. The ATC tower marks the beginning of a new era of modernization here at Ali Base. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert/released)

First Transmission

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael Coyne, 407 Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, deployed from 19th Operational Support Squadron, Little Rock, Ark., air traffic controller, begins transmission for the first time from the new air traffic control tower at Ali Base, Iraq, March 12, 2010. The new ATC tower marks the beginning of a new era of modernization here at Ali Base. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert/released)

SPAWAR troubleshoots electronics

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Quentin Bruhn (L), 407 Expeditionary Communications Squadron and Staff Sgt. Homar Vallejo (c), 407 Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, air traffic controller along with Mr. Rudy Diaz (r), SPAWAR Contractor, troubleshoot the electronic hardware in the new air traffic control tower cab at Ali Base, Iraq, March 12, 2010. SPAWAR is the Contractor team which is responsible the installation of the ATC-specific electronic hardware in the tower cab. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert/released)

New ATC Tower opens for business

Published March 15, 2010
By Master Sgt. Scott Isbell
407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Tower, Chief Controller

ALI BASE, Iraq -- Beginning at 12:01 a.m. March 12, 2010, the newly-constructed air traffic control tower at Ali Base, Iraq, opened for operation.

"This is a monumental day for the US Air Force, the Army Corps of Engineers, and for the future of the Iraqi Air Force," commented Lt. Col. Michael Richardson, commander, 407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron. "It illustrates our Joint cooperation in the United States military, and is an enduring testament to our faithful partnership with the new Iraqi nation. All of us on the Ali/Adder team are proud that the Iraqis will enjoy the benefits of this project for decades to come as they remain our strategic partners."

The new tower is eight stories tall and greatly improves the visibility and overall situational awareness for the crew of air traffic controllers assigned to the 407 EOSS. By contrast, the old facility was only three stories tall, and as a result, there were many parts of the airfield that were not visible from the tower cab.

Most of the aircraft parking ramps were obscured, and during construction of the new tower, visibility to the northern end of the airfield was partially blocked. The controllers' inability to see the approach end of the runway, taxiway echo, and the helicopter refueling area from the old tower caused limitations when directing aircraft flights and ground operations for runways.

Now that air traffic control is working out of the new facility, aircraft safety and base security will be greatly enhanced due to better visibility of the airfield and the surrounding base. The old tower facility will remain in place, and still provides a useful function: it will serve as the alternate ATC facility. It retains the minimum essential equipment and capability to support air traffic operations, just in case the controllers are forced to evacuate the new tower in the event of an emergency.