Controllers maintain safety in the sky

  • Published
  • By Nevardo Cayemitte
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La --  Every day, hundreds of military airplanes take off and land all over the world. Air traffic control specialists closely control their movement to prevent accidents and ensure the safety and efficiency of air traffic on the ground and in the air.

Monitoring our airspace is a vital component of mission effectiveness and the lives of those in the air heavily depend on this group of highly trained Airmen on the ground, managing the flow of aircraft through all aspects of their flight, guiding them in and out of Barksdale.

“Here in the tower, there's no margin for error,” said Airman 1st Class Hunter Maggard, 2nd Operation Support Squadron air traffic controller. “We have to be perfect, every single day. We send out planes here every day that go overseas with one crew, and they can be anywhere in the world in a matter of hours.”

Air traffic controllers monitor and direct the movement of aircraft in the air and issue landing and takeoff instructions to pilots using radar, computers or visual references. They are also responsible for all ground traffic on and in the vicinity of Barksdale Air Force Base, and providing weather reports, airfield conditions and safety information to pilots.

“I come into work and I just get to talk to planes every day, tell them what to do, said Staff Sgt. James Thurman, 2nd OSS air traffic controller “Not many other people in the Air Force get to tell pilots what to do.”

Maintaining air traffic control records and communication logs is an important factor of their jobs.

During shift hours, Barksdale air traffic controllers maintain radio contact with all approaching, departing and in-flight aircraft; manage flight plans to ensure there are no collisions or violations of airspace rules and provide guidance to pilots using both visual and instrument flight rules, as the situation dictates.

These highly trained professionals make quick decisions while monitoring many variables to keep bases, airspace and Airmen all over the world safe.

"I definitely wake up every morning and feel a great sense of pride when I come into do this,” said Senior Airman Austin Tanana, 2nd OSS air traffic controller. “I ensure that the pilots of these aircraft get going where they need to go and come back. I make sure they're safe and everything's taken care of when they land."