48th CS: The non-routine, routine

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Whether downrange or flying at home station, two things pilots will always need to know is the distance to the airfield and where they need to land.

To gain this information, having constant communication with air traffic controllers is needed, and Airmen of the 48th Communications Squadron radar and airfield systems sections ensure that happens.

Consisting of two different shops working in tandem, these personnel provide the "eyes and ears" of aircraft to ATCs by providing radar visuals and maintaining radio connection with pilots.

"It would be almost impossible to be proficient in our job without their help,"said Tech. Sgt. Anna-Maria Blizman, 48th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller. "If our radars go down, it stops us from providing our feed to pilots. Fortunately, we have [48th CS Airmen] who are ready at a moment's notice to help us."

The nine communications Airmen build and repair all airfield radars on Royal Air Force Lakenheath, while also performing inspections during non-flying hours.

"We perform preventative maintenance inspections any time the planes aren't flying," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Ralston, 48th CS radar systems apprentice. "Doing PMI helps make sure that radars remain as accurate as possible before each flight."

With a wide variation of radars constantly supporting the mission, the 48th CS Airmen always have their hands full making sure all equipment stays mission ready.

"It's a non-routine, routine," said Senior Airman Phillip Williams, 48th CS airfield maintenance journeyman. "We can troubleshoot a radar a specific way one day and have to change our perspective on how to fix it the next time something has problems."

Aside from radars being used to guide pilots, the airfield and radar systems sections work hand-in-hand to provide weather forecasters with wind mileage and weather predictions that are forwarded to the entire base.

"We measure things like lightning distance and wind speed with equipment similar to the things you see in T.V. news forecasts," said Tech. Sgt. Travis Miles, 48th CS radar systems craftsman. "Our alerts help maintainers and other mission essential jobs on base know when and where it isn't safe to work."

Personnel of the 48th CS radar and airfield systems sections are tested to take on any radar challenge thanks to the RAF Lakenheath operations tempo. Home to four flying squadrons with demanding operations, nearly 100 aircraft deployed this past year from the 48th FW. The 48th CS personnel contribute to mission success by building and maintaining these radar systems, which are key components to mission completion.