Airfield ops handles fourth busiest airfield in AF

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Scott Saldukas
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Its apparent Laughlin's mission is to train pilots while deploying mission ready Airmen. To do so, about 100 people ensure the air space is under control so students are able train.

The 47th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight provide air traffic control and airfield management service to Laughlin pilots and civilian aircraft utilizing their airspace going into Del Rio and other local airports within 85 miles. They follow Federal Aviation Administration standards while maintaining the 10,000 square miles of airspace.

"Without air traffic control we wouldn't be able to train pilots for the world's best Air Force," said Airman 1st Class Jennifer Davis, 47th OSS air traffic controller. "What we do here affects the entire Air Force. If we are not working, then pilots won't be getting trained and moving out to fill other positions."

Each flight that departs from here is identified, contacted and directed or advised by the controllers in the radar approach control section and tower.

"Before they even take off, airfield management files their flight plan and inspects the airfield to ensure it is safe for use," said Capt. Jeannie Vogel 47th OSS Airfield Operations Flight officer. "Airfield management also oversees construction on the airfield and administers the airfield driving program to provide a safe environment for pilots utilizing the airfield."

In addition to their normal operations, airfield operations annually train about 20 new air traffic controllers a year.

"They come to us from tech school and we train them for well over a year to become qualified and eventually control in other facilities in the Air Force," Vogel said. "Laughlin also regularly deploys qualified controllers. At any given time we have three or more controllers deployed to Iraq."

The captain also noted controllers deployed from other bases are sometimes intimidated by the large volume of traffic at deployed locations.

"However, our Laughlin controllers have garnered an excellent reputation for handling overseas traffic loads with ease, as they have become accustomed to an even higher ops tempo at home station," she said. "In short, Laughlin controllers really shine down range. It should come as no surprise that our Airmen perform so well, as this base is actually ranked the fourth busiest air traffic control complex in the entire Air Force."

While having such a high tempo may seem stressful, Airman Davis said the end result outweighs the stress.

"It is a little stressful knowing the impact we can have but knowing how important our job is makes it all worth it," Davis said. "I can't imagine myself doing anything else while I am in the Air Force."