ROCK SOLID WARRIOR: STAFF SGT. TERI VELARDE

Published June 22, 2012
386th Expeditionary Operations Group

SOUTHWEST ASIA --
Name: SSgt Teri Velarde

Deployed Unit: 386 EOG/EOSS

Duty Title: NCOIC, ATC Training and Standardization, Air Traffic Control Watch Supervisor/LNO

Home unit/station: 52nd Operations Support Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany

Family's military heritage: My father was in the Army and my grandfather and grandmother were in the Navy.

What is your mission here? I ensure the new LNOs are trained in accordance to our operating instructions and can safely work in the control tower alongside the host nation controllers. I maintain training references and guides, establish monthly training requirements/documentation and certify USAF controllers for the LNO position here. I also fill the role of an LNO. I monitor frequencies, provide clarification between the pilots and host nation controllers, ensure the flight safety of aircraft, update weather broadcasts and answer questions pilots may have.

What are some of the best parts of your mission? Getting to work so closely with our host nation counterparts and sharing in their culture. I have the opportunity to see and talk with them on a daily basis, learning more about their country and their people. I also get insight into their military, seeing the similarities and differences between our two Air Forces. Lastly, I get the chance to share my knowledge of air traffic with the host nation controllers and to take my experiences working alongside them back to home station.

What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them? There are several challenges I face while conducting my mission here. First would be the language barrier. Monitoring frequencies with both host nation and American pilots you have to tune your listening skills. Being able to understand and apply what is being said and requested is essential to ensuring the safety of aircraft in flight as well on the ground. Second challenge would be merging our USAF rules and regulations with the host nation policies. Clarifying procedures and understanding how the host nation controls is important in avoiding conflicts with the aircraft which could be potentially dangerous. We don't always see situations the same way but by communicating with one another we are able to work out the differences and create a more positive working environment.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? The biggest difference between working here and back home is that I don't get to actively control here. I fill a liaison role. I watch and listen to everything that goes on and provide guidance or insight when needed. If I was at home station, I would be controlling the aircraft from taxi out to the runway until landing and back in their parking spot. It took some adjusting to, not being in control of every situation and relying on the host nation controllers to operate in the same capacity as I would. Being that we do not actually control the aircraft and only monitor the frequencies, we must be constantly vigilant of what is going on. If things were to start going wrong, we are the aircrafts last line of defense, situational awareness is a must while serving as an LNO to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

How many times have you deployed? This is my first deployment.

What makes this deployment unique? The daily interaction we have as Air Traffic Control Liaisons with the host nation controllers.

Why did you join the Air Force? I joined the Air Force to serve my country. I liked all the benefits the military had to offer and decided that it was the best choice for me. The educational opportunities were endless and I knew I could use that to further myself. There was also the chance of seeing the world and experiencing things that I otherwise might not have been able to do. It has been an eye-opening adventure!

Rock Solid Warrior