Radar air traffic controllers: keeping the friendly skies friendly

Published Jan. 30, 2010
By Senior Airman Mindy Bloem
506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- Forty four thousand square miles of air space in the northern third portion of Iraq is controlled by the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron radar air traffic controllers here.

That covers a lot of ground, or rather air, and that means these radar controllers have to be at the top of their game in order to keep everyone safe in the skies.

Senior Master Sgt. Blaine Agena, 506th EOSS chief controller, said it's a lot more complicated than it seems. It's not just looking at blips on a screen.

"Radar involves a lot of attention to detail," he said. "My radar controllers must have a good grasp of the airspace that we work. What many people don't realize is we have to separate aircraft laterally, longitudinally and vertically. They are looking at a flat screen but have to imagine it in 3D. As soon as radar controllers come in the door, they have to memorize our airspace, all the airways, all the reporting points, and all the different airports we're working."

There are 18 controllers here, which include the chief controller, assistant chief controller, and four crews of four people each. The crews of four sit in what is known to radar controllers as "the box."

In the box, the crew is responsible for the safe movement of all the air traffic from the surface up to 23,000 feet.

The crews, which consist of a watch supervisor, a center controller, an approach/departure controller, and an assist controller, are rated on all the positions since they fill more than just one position.

Senior Airman David Urich, 506th EOSS radar air traffic controller, deployed from Tyndall AFB, Fla., explained that the career field is an acquired taste, but he chose it because he likes the challenge.

"I worked a combination of center and approach today," he said after getting off his shift. "I like all the controller positions. You have to be able to multi-task and it's very stressful. It's a lot of pressure, but at the same time, you're indoors. It's a good job and a good education. It's a good long term career."

In addition to being a good multi-tasker, the radar controllers have the added challenge of using technology that is 40 to 50 years old.

"The radar coverage we have with this older system is not as good as it could be so we have to work a little harder to keep control of aircraft," Sergeant Agena said. "The system goes down at times because of its age, and the controllers have to work what's called non-radar. Basically, we don't see the aircraft on the screen, but by radio communication the aircraft reports different positions and altitudes to us, and we're able to work with them that way."

Fortunately, when a situation like this occurs, the radar controllers have been trained in all the various aspects of their jobs.

"There's a lot that goes into radar control as far as preparation," Sergeant Agena said. "When they get here, they have to get certified in the positions. They can't just sit down and start working traffic. They have to know the local area and the facilities we coordinate here, as well as how we do things here as opposed to back home."

Like any good leader, since Sergeant Agena is familiar with what challenges his controllers face, he uses that knowledge and experience to help his people.

"A lot of people who get into management would rather be in the box working traffic because that's what we've grown up doing and what we enjoy doing," he explained. "But on the management side of it, we try to make the job easier for the controllers in there and try to make sure the coordination is done with other outside facilities to ensure that their job is easier. And that's the part I like."

Part of that supervision entails making sure his crew is getting the mandated rest and breaks their job requires.

The AFI and the FAA mandate radar controllers can only work up to hours per shift before needing appropriate crew rest. That is required so the controllers won't get tired and lose focus, which can be dangerous when dealing with aircraft, Sergeant Agena said.

"We're the ones talking to the aircraft, making sure everyone's safe and ensuring the aircraft is clear of tactical traffic and any other civil air traffic," he added.