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Blackanthem Military News
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Feb 9, 2012 - 5:06:14 PM |
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Vipers provide critical air traffic services in USD-N
By Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall, Staff Sgt. Mike Alberts, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Jun 16, 2010 - 12:27:51 PM
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| Specialist Barry West (seated), air traffic controller, F Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th General Support Aviation Battalion, Task Force Hammerhead, performs ground control functions while Sgt. Klarke Castellanos (standing), air traffic controller and training noncommissioned officer-in-charge, F Co., 3-25th GSAB, TF Hammerhead, provides local control of a departing fixed-wing aircraft at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, Jan. 10. (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Mike Alberts | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs) |
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - The importance of aviation operations in the current contemporary operating environment in Iraq cannot be overstated with hundreds of movements of troops, supplies and equipment daily.
These critical aviation operations demand a watchful and experienced air traffic services team to manage the air space in and around United States Division-North.
The Soldiers of F Company, "Vipers," 3rd Battalion, 25th General Support Aviation Battalion, Task Force Hammerhead, provide the necessary over watch for the high density airspace in and around Contingency Operating Base Speicher. The company is also responsible for ATS operations at Forward Operating Base Warhorse and COB Qayyarah West.
"We provide coverage for all types of aircraft at our [three] locations using different facilities, [to include both tower and radar capabilities]," explained Lt. Col. Gregory Baker, commander, 3-25th GSAB, TF Hammerhead, and native of Omaha, Neb. "Our Soldiers are handling an array of civilian, U.S. State Department and military fixed-wing aircraft, a host of rotary-wing aircraft from all branches of service, [foreign aircraft such as the Iraqi Air Force College's T-6A aircraft], and [several] types of unmanned aerial vehicles."
He continued, "It's a lot of traffic, particularly at COB Speicher, which rivals the eighth largest airport in the United States, Charlotte-Douglas International, and that airport doesn't handle UAVs."
Army aviation's operational tempo remains high in USD-N, even as Iraq transitions to stability operations, translating to a complex and continuously demanding role for the Vipers.
Captain Matthew Basil, commander, F Co., 3-25th GSAB, TF Hammerhead, discussed the scope of his unit's responsibilities as these demands increase.
"Here at COB Speicher, we are running two facilities. We've got the tower and the Army Radar Approach Control. On average, the tower is handling about 500 movements a day, while the ARAC is handling around 150 movements a day. Just the density of aircraft movements we're looking at 24 hours a day is probably the biggest [challenge] about Speicher."
Captain Basil, of Fairborn, Ohio, also spoke about the other ominous challenge his ATS Soldiers face on a daily basis - weather. Weather has traditionally been a significant challenge with aviation operations as pilots, crews and ATS must contend with the unpredictable changes in weather patterns.
"In the event that weather conditions are terrible with no visibility, we can pinpoint the aircraft on radar and guide them on an exact glide path and course to a safe landing. Radar approach is basically our extended eyes."
The adeptness of Capt. Basil's Soldiers in handling such adversity was recently demonstrated on a particularly high profile day.
On 12 April, the Task Force Marne Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, was hosting a commander's conference at COB Speicher. Brigade commanders, senior leaders and others were arriving throughout the day in weather so bad the only way to get aircraft in safely was through the use of the ARAC system with controllers vectoring aircraft in for landing. It was a significant accomplishment and one that was later formally recognized by Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo himself.
First Sergeant Matthew Clark, first sergeant, F Co., 3-25th GSAB, TF Hammerhead, of Sonoma, Calif., elaborated on the importance of having the ARAC system at his unit's disposal.
"Before the existence of the ARAC system, the aircraft would call from 25 miles out and would be instructed to enter the traffic pattern once inside a five-mile ring. Often, during the time between those calls, many other aircraft would come inbound or outbound and cause congestion. [Radar approach] really helps streamline the traffic flow."
First Sergeant Clark further explained that he was not at all surprised that his Soldiers performed so well during the critical period of bad weather for which they were recognized.
"I think it's great that the CG came down to recognize our Soldiers, but that's just a snapshot," he said. "My Soldiers are handling busy air traffic and keeping the skies safe every day."
Another task the unit is responsible for is ensuring all four of their ATS facilities are following the same procedures and guidelines. Chief Warrant Officer Two Mark Stubbs, standardization officer and platoon leader, F Co., 3-25th GSAB, TF Hammerhead, oversees the implementation of these policies.
"My job is to standardize air traffic control facilities operations," said Chief Stubbs, a native of Laurinburg, N.C. "[I also serve] as a liaison for the companies, battalions and brigade to division for air traffic control matters. [I ensure each facility is doing] the same thing across the board to include following published regulations, field manuals and [Federal Aviation Administration] rules and guidelines."
Captain Basil has been impressed with his Soldiers since he took command of the Vipers in April. He is extremely proud of his Soldiers' professionalism.
"What the company has managed to do with a limited amount of people is just amazing. They are handling four different facilities with the few people we have, and it's just an outstanding effort. The command team that I have with First Sergeant Clark, Mr. Stubbs and Mr. Spruill, [my other platoon leader], is absolutely phenomenal.
"We couldn't do almost any of the things we do without their technical expertise and their ability to make things happen. All I have to do is give them an idea or a little bit of intent and they get it done. It's a beautiful thing," he concluded.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Sergeant Vanessa Chester, Army Radar Approach Control (ARAC) noncommissioned officer, and Spc. Tai Barbee, ARAC specialist, both with F Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th General Support Aviation Battalion, Task Force Hammerhead, communicate with incoming aircraft at the air traffic control tower at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, March 12. (Courtesy photo) |
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| Specialist Cale Walker, air traffic controller, F Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th General Support Aviation Battalion, Task Force Hammerhead, assists providing local control of a departing fixed-wing aircraft at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, Jan. 10. (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Mike Alberts | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs) |
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| (Pictured left to right) Sergeant Lacey Schaefer, Sgt. Klarke Castellanos and Spc. Barry West, all air traffic controllers, F Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th General Support Aviation Battalion, Task Force Hammerhead, perform various air traffic services from flight data and ground functions to local control of various aircraft at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, Jan. 10. (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Mike Alberts | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs) |
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