SOUTHWEST ASIA -- For one unit assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, work can sometimes be a constant game of musical chairs. Whether managing a 500-acre airfield, certifying Airmen to drive on the flightline, or providing critical information to base responders, the Airfield Management office is focused on ensuring the success of the base flying mission here.
"Airfield management does exactly that, it manages the airfield," said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Johnson, 379 EOSS airfield manager, deployed here from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. "Our job entails all the airfield systems, which can be anything from pavement, signs and paint on the runway to the placement of navigational aids, which are very important to our aircraft operations. Most importantly, we also manage any construction occurring on the flightline."
In all, the seven-person shop is responsible for maintaining an airfield stretched across approximately 500 acres, including frequent checks for items which could cause foreign object damage.
"If there is a large aircraft that comes in, like a 747 or a C-5 [Galaxy], our Airmen have to go out right behind them and make sure the aircraft didn't blow any rocks onto the taxiway," the Augusta, Ga., native said. "It can get hectic because they only have one person in the office to deal with any issues that come up when someone's out on the flightline."
One of the other important day-to-day jobs handled by Airmen in airfield management is disseminating information through the primary and secondary crash nets.
"We, along with the control tower, are responsible for alerting responders to any potential emergencies aircraft may have," Sergeant Johnson said. It doesn't stop there, however, for airfield management. "Once we disseminate the information, we are a response agency as well. So my folks go out on the flightline and ensure we can continue airfield operations while the emergency is going on."
Along with having to manage one of the busiest airfields in the Air Force, operators face several unique challenges on a daily basis.
One of the main jobs of airfield operations Airmen is gathering information on the aircraft, like when the crew is landing or leaving, as well as the type of aircraft, to determine the most appropriate parking spot, she said.
"Some spots are designed for smaller aircraft while others for larger," said Catherine Long, an airfield manager who was recently deployed here from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
Due to physical area restraints, Airmen need to have a working knowledge of the different types of aircraft here to ensure those mission needs are met, she said.
In addition to keeping aircraft moving safely, airfield management is responsible for drivers' training for approximately 2,400 people quarterly in order to keep them safe while on the flightline.
"Every driver on the airfield has to be certified to drive out there," Sergeant Johnson said. "We are the certification authority. It can be anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 drivers at a state-side base. Our work load is heavier than most other bases because of the rotations. This base rotates between 8,000 and 10,000 drivers a year and all are certified through airfield management."
While there has not been a large number of issues lately, there have been cases of speeding and failure to check tires for FOD.
"Situational awareness is key," Sergeant Johnson said. "Drivers need to know where they are and the procedures for operating on the flightline."
Mrs. Long said she's very impressed with her Airmen's skills and knowledge.
"These Airmen are just great; we have some good people who work in base operations right now," she said. "They take their jobs seriously and have the initiative to make things better. Our flightline can present a lot of challenges, and they handle it well. I really put my hat off to them."