Iraq air traffic 'picture' clearer because of new Balad facility

Published April 16, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Ruth Curfman
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Office relocation efforts may have never had a greater impact on the Air Force's capability to wage war against insurgents in Iraq.

A new, state-of-the-art facility now houses the two groups of aircraft controllers here who help guide pilots to, from and over targets to precisely and deliberately strike insurgent strongholds while avoiding collateral damage.

Co-locating the controllers makes it easier for them to work together and communicate. Additionally, the move also benefits the Air Force's Combined Air Operations Center, where joint and coalition force personnel collaborate to command air and space assets across the theater.

"Due to the new capabilities, which decreases our downtime by 50 percent, we can now provide a better and more real-time air picture to the CAOC so they can see exactly what is going on with the airspace we control," said Staff Sgt. Gustavo Bautista, 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron interface control technician, deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. "Situational awareness is one of the most important factors in being able to see what we are doing and what we need to do next to make sure the pilots are achieving their missions in the most timely manner."

Providing that heightened level of situational awareness are the controllers from the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Combined Enroute Radar Approach control office, known as CERAP, and the controllers from the 727th EACS, known as Kingpin.

CERAP controllers are responsible for managing the air routes, which are equivalent to highways in the sky, and ensuring that separation is maintained as aircraft navigate their way through the busy skies over Iraq to their intended destinations.

"However, in order to make sure that the aircraft get to their location in a timely manner, CERAP must work directly with Kingpin controllers to provide a more seamless transition between [air traffic control] and tactical target environments," said Lt. Col. Robert Ricker, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron airfield operations flight commander, who is deployed from Tinker AFB, Okla.

At the same time, surveillance technicians and weapons directors from Kingpin are responsible for clearing the airspace around a battlespace and ensuring the aircraft pilots know exactly where they need to be depending on their missions, said Capt. Patrick Smyth, 727th EACS chief of maintenance, who is deployed from Eglin AFB.

"By combining the two agencies, which work hand-in-hand on a daily basis, the controllers will be able to accomplish and understand each others missions and capabilities better, which will allow us to get the warfighters where they need to be, when they need to be there," said Capt. Daniel Durr, 332nd EOSS airfield operations flight operations officer, deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

By co-locating both squadrons into the same facility, the controllers will be able to enhance communications, airspace coordination and the cross flow of information.

"Both agencies are controlling aircraft throughout a substantial portion of Iraq, with the default user being air traffic control, but this is switched to Kingpin's tactical usage on a real-time basis," Captain Durr said.

Kingpin controllers manage flying operations for all aircraft including air refueling tankers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and fighters. Additionally, they manage, coordinate and clear airspace to allow for tactical mission execution while simultaneously permitting air traffic procedures to continue in Iraq.

"Radar approach controls own the air traffic routes, while the weapons directors control joint tactical air space," said Capt. Chris Satkowski, 727th EACS senior director, deployed from Eglin AFB. "By working more closely together we are able to employ air power in joint-use airspace more effectively."

Another obstacle the co-location effort overcame was the ability to communicate directly between the controllers.

"Prior to moving into the same building, one of the issues we dealt with was the ability to communicate with each other," Captain Durr said. "Our primary means of communications was via telephone and now we are able to have immediate face-to-face briefings when something happens. This allows us to see the bigger overall picture from both sides."

Another benefit to the move was the upgrade in equipment.

"The equipment capabilities on the Kingpin side are a huge upgrade that will greatly enhance their mission," Captain Durr said. "Although the ATC equipment remains the same, we now have access to more radar feeds than before and we have more potential to expand by utilizing the extra radar scopes."

Although the move helps to streamline the communications and understanding between the two agencies, it also instills pride in the Airmen who work there.

"Having the ability to understand and see the bigger picture when it comes to air operations gives me a great sense of accomplishment," said Senior Airman Joann Lobuglio, 727th EACS weapons director, deployed from Eglin AFB. "Just knowing that I played a part in getting aircraft where they needed to be and helping them accomplish their air power mission makes me proud to be in this career field and being here supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom."