LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Tech. Sgt. Matthew Smith, 47th Operations Support Squadron radar airfield and weather systems maintenance NCO in charge, was chosen by wing leadership to be “XLer of the week”, for the week of Nov. 13, 2017.
The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Michelle Pryor, 47th Flying Training Wing vice wing commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
Smith spearheaded an installation for fiber optic cables, valued at approximately $3 million. The project will ensure vital navigational systems both remain functional and faster than the previous cabling.
“The fiber optic install is important for our navigational aids,” he said. “These systems are currently operating on copper lines that are old and cause frequent communications faults for our systems. The systems communicate to and from the RAPCON [radar approach controllers], providing status and control for the systems. This will also improve the capability to dial in to the systems as the systems are remotely maintained by the regional maintenance center in Oklahoma City.”
Smith rescued U.S. Southern Command’s tactical air navigation, or TACAN, system as well, hunting down a vital part and ultimately averting system failure.
“[They] currently maintain the legacy TACAN which we had replaced earlier this year,” said Smith. “With the replacement of the old TACAN system, it has become harder to order parts for it. We coordinated with [Air Education and Training Command]’s functional manager to approve an equipment transfer to the work center [there]--once approved, we packaged and shipped the items that restored their system [to] fully mission capable.”
Smith led the maintenance of the base’s digital audio legal recorder that records all air traffic control communications. He discovered a problem with it and fixed the system’s GPS antenna, restoring air traffic control and Federal Aviation Administration recording operations.
“This part of the system ensures that all recordings are time stamped as they are made,” Smith explained. “Without this feature the controllers would have an extremely difficult time locating recordings of operations for training or mishap reporting needs. It is vital and [Air Force Instruction] directed that this communication be recorded and maintained for review as needed.”
Smith also identified a critical instrument landing system fault, and took the time to train his Airmen on the situation.
“Training our airmen is always an important task especially on a system that is remotely maintained currently we don't get many opportunities to repair these systems so when we have the chance its vital to get airmen some hands on,” said Smith. “The Remote Control Status Unit controls and provides status and control to the RAPCON for all of the instrument landing systems. This also allows the RAPCON to switch the systems to the corresponding active runway. The RCSU had a faulty touch screen display module preventing it from providing the status and control to the RAPCON personnel.”
While Smith is gaining recognition for his contributions, he said he owes it to a great team behind him.
“I couldn't have completed the items I have without my team,” Smith said. “These guys have helped execute the mission here by completing countless preventative maintenance inspections and outage repairs. They are always willing to learn and help each other out when needed.”
His efforts in keeping numerous navigation and information systems operational—not only state-side, but overseas as well—has earned Tech. Sgt. Smith the “XLer of the week” award.