RAPCON Airmen monitor land, skies

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dawn M. Weber
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  

Working as a close-knit team, 24 hours a day, a dedicated crew of Airmen manages the flow of all air traffic within 40 nautical miles of the base.

Airmen of the 48th Operations Support Squadron Radar Approach Control center must maintain proficiencies in electronics, computer science, problem-solving skills and business operations in order to safely and efficiently support the mission of the 48th Fighter Wing.

"We're here to support the flying mission," said Master Sgt. Jessie Green, 48th OSS assistant chief controller. "Everything we're doing on the job is what we'll do in a deployed environment, whether it be in Africa, Asia or any other deployed location."

Air Traffic Control operations specialists from the 48th OSS are responsible for handling the approach control of air traffic for Royal Air Forces Lakenheath and Mildenhall, as well as departures and arrivals from both bases. These specialists also provide separation between U.S. military and U.K. civilian aircraft.

"We ensure expeditious mobility operations for the Air Force. We ensure that bombs get on targets through these aircraft," said Staff Sgt. Richard London, 48th OSS air traffic control watch supervisor. "We also ensure the rapid mobility of aircrafts from both bases."

"There's an adrenaline rush from working this job at its busiest, especially if you work the aircraft efficiently. I feel a great sense of pride when the job is complete," said London. "It's what we train so hard for. That's the job at its purest. 'Excellence in all we do' is what we strive for."

Monthly proficiency tests through written examinations and continuous on-the-job training, such as radar simulators, keep the Airmen of the 48th OSS at the top of their game.

"With the dynamic nature of our career field, it could change at the drop of a hat. The training helps prepare us for most situations, but a real-world emergency could occur that we've never seen before," said Green. "Learning to adapt and overcome keeps this job exciting, however, the ability to keep the aircraft and the people in them safe is most exciting."