Air controllers simulate tough conditions

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Air traffic controllers are tasked with providing for the safe, organized, and quick flow of aircraft in the air, as well as on the runway. These skills are tested when controlling more aircraft such as the influx during the Red Flag exercise. 

Here at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, all air traffic controllers are required to train on a tower simulator system before they are allowed to see and control live traffic. They continue to train each month to meet proficiency requirements and to be prepared for any civilian, commercial, or military in range that needs assistance. 

"In this line of work you can't make mistakes," said Senior Airman Jonathan Anderson, an air traffic control specialist with the 354th Operations Support Squadron.
Air traffic controllers here are responsible for the approximately 14,500 foot runway as well as a 4.7 mile radius around the runway. Controllers accomplish this through the use of two-way radio communications, radar systems, landline communications and visual light-gun signals. 

The tower here coordinates with Fairbanks Airport International and Anchorage International during Red Flag-Alaska exercises and in cases of emergency, like power outages which would cause controllers to lose the flight plans. 

It is important for new air traffic controllers to get used to Eielson's runway, its local different procedures and unique weather patterns. The simulator can be set up with a variety of situations that include emergencies and dangerous weather conditions. Situations that are created specific to Eielson might include icy runways and snow fall. 

"The simulator gives us more complex traffic," said Senior Airman Christopher Wilson, an air traffic control specialist with the 354 OSS, "so when there is an emergency, we know how to react." 

Although the simulator is not used for RF-A specifically, air traffic controllers use the simulator to practice supporting and comparing the different types of aircraft brought in by the Red Flag-Alaska exercises. The multiple types of aircraft that participate have different approaches and recovery methods. Therefore, controller specialists practice on the simulator to become familiar bringing in the other aircraft. 

"Someone who has never seen Red Flag is able to run the simulator on Red Flag and know what's going to happen before they actually go up in the tower," said Senior Airman Ross Facer, another 354th OSS air traffic control specialist.