ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --
Perched several stories above the flightline, air traffic controllers keep RAF Lakenheath operations smooth and aircrews safe.
The RAF Lakenheath tower, managed by 48th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controllers, sequences the arrival and departure of F-15s, helicopters and other airborne assets. The tower works closely with the Radar Approach Control Center, and manages their portion of responsibility by communicating with incoming pilots once they’re within a 5-mile radius.
“We get fighters and other aircraft in and out of here safely and efficiently so they can accomplish their mission,” said the 48th OSS tower assistant chief. “Our people are always on their A-game and keep a hectic airspace from turning chaotic. We give pilots a calm and confident voice to guide them home.”
There are a lot of moving pieces when the tower is active, and keeping up with the tempo requires a high level of training. Regardless of rank or time-in-service, all Airmen in the career field must be recertified when arriving at a new base.
Training for controllers is mainly conducted inside of the tower, where new and veteran Airmen can witness the flow of the tower firsthand.
“No matter what position you’re in, when the airspace is hot you are always doing something,” said a 48th OSS air traffic controller. “We have a tower-team concept where everyone looks after each other, and we’re all responsible for the same job.”
The positions in the tower consist of ground control, flight data, coordinator, local control and watch supervisor, who all work together in a seamless fashion to maintain control of the airspace and taxiways. They are responsible for getting aircraft safely on and off the ground, and those listening to their instructions trust them to do it.
“It’s imperative for them to de-conflict flying operations so that we are able to safely do our jobs,” said Lt. Col. Robert Fowler, 48th Fighter Wing flight safety chief and F-15C pilot. “We absolutely need them throughout the Air Force.”
It’s the crucial mission of the 48th OSS that ensures the 48th FW has the operational foundation to maintain its combat-ready forces for U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and NATO operations.