- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 360
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TacticalAirTrafficControlKeepsemAirborneInAfghanistan.htm
Tactical Air Traffic Control keeps 'em airborne in Afghanistan
2 Jun 06
The testing conditions of an Afghanistan summer may be a tough proving ground for the aircraft and equipment operating in its harsh environment, but for the airmen and airwomen deployed on Op HERRICK the requirement to provide support to the ongoing operation continues regardless of the extremes of temperature or dusty conditions.
Members of TAC (ATC) ensure that a Hercules C130 arrives safely at its location.
[Picture: RAF]
No better can this be seen than with the Tactical Air Traffic Control (Tac ATC) Squadron, part of the Tactical Communications Wing based at RAF Brize Norton. The specialist nature of the Tac ATC role means that the men and women who form the Squadron are regularly called on to be away from home. Exercises are often carried out overseas, recently in locations as far afield as Denmark, Botswana, Belize and Canada. Operational detachments in Iraq and Afghanistan are now all part of their day to day professional life.
One member of the Tac ATC team, Flight Lieutenant Gez Currie, described the challenges associated with working in a theatre of operation like Afghanistan.
"The working conditions out by the tactical landing strip are some of the hottest we’ve worked in, regularly above 45 degrees, and likely to rise to over 50 degrees in the next few weeks.
"The unusually fine sand has also proved to be an issue since it is much finer than that seen in the UK and whipped up by the afternoon’s strong winds. Everything, including personnel, has to remain well covered."
Flt Lt Gez Currie at work with TAC ATC in Afghanistan.
[Picture: RAF]
But Flt Lt Currie’s two-man team is also used to travelling light, operating with the minimum equipment required to ensure that the landing strip or airfield can be operated safely, day or night.
"We operate with what we can carry and we can pretty much get what we need into two Lacons," said Sergeant Steve Hutchings, referring to the two steel containers measuring approx 1 meter square that carries their deployable equipment.
"We don’t need a huge amount of space and we operate with the minimum of kit. We carry comms equipment that allows us to speak to aircraft; lights and fluorescent panels to mark the Temporary Landing Zone in poor visibility and night vision goggles to enable operations at night.
"We also carry a portable weather station, but that’s pretty much all we need to ensure that aircraft can operate, even from the most remote of strips."
Despite the possibility of spending up to 200 days a year away from base, there are no shortages of volunteers to join the Tac ATC specialisation. Sgt Hutchings, himself on his third consecutive overseas detachment, sums up the spirit:
"We’re here because we want to be here. The training keeps us current, but out here we’re doing it for real; doing a real job."
Tactical Air Traffic Control keeps 'em airborne in Afghanistan
2 Jun 06
The testing conditions of an Afghanistan summer may be a tough proving ground for the aircraft and equipment operating in its harsh environment, but for the airmen and airwomen deployed on Op HERRICK the requirement to provide support to the ongoing operation continues regardless of the extremes of temperature or dusty conditions.
Members of TAC (ATC) ensure that a Hercules C130 arrives safely at its location.
[Picture: RAF]
No better can this be seen than with the Tactical Air Traffic Control (Tac ATC) Squadron, part of the Tactical Communications Wing based at RAF Brize Norton. The specialist nature of the Tac ATC role means that the men and women who form the Squadron are regularly called on to be away from home. Exercises are often carried out overseas, recently in locations as far afield as Denmark, Botswana, Belize and Canada. Operational detachments in Iraq and Afghanistan are now all part of their day to day professional life.
One member of the Tac ATC team, Flight Lieutenant Gez Currie, described the challenges associated with working in a theatre of operation like Afghanistan.
"The working conditions out by the tactical landing strip are some of the hottest we’ve worked in, regularly above 45 degrees, and likely to rise to over 50 degrees in the next few weeks.
"The unusually fine sand has also proved to be an issue since it is much finer than that seen in the UK and whipped up by the afternoon’s strong winds. Everything, including personnel, has to remain well covered."
Flt Lt Gez Currie at work with TAC ATC in Afghanistan.
[Picture: RAF]
But Flt Lt Currie’s two-man team is also used to travelling light, operating with the minimum equipment required to ensure that the landing strip or airfield can be operated safely, day or night.
"We operate with what we can carry and we can pretty much get what we need into two Lacons," said Sergeant Steve Hutchings, referring to the two steel containers measuring approx 1 meter square that carries their deployable equipment.
"We don’t need a huge amount of space and we operate with the minimum of kit. We carry comms equipment that allows us to speak to aircraft; lights and fluorescent panels to mark the Temporary Landing Zone in poor visibility and night vision goggles to enable operations at night.
"We also carry a portable weather station, but that’s pretty much all we need to ensure that aircraft can operate, even from the most remote of strips."
Despite the possibility of spending up to 200 days a year away from base, there are no shortages of volunteers to join the Tac ATC specialisation. Sgt Hutchings, himself on his third consecutive overseas detachment, sums up the spirit:
"We’re here because we want to be here. The training keeps us current, but out here we’re doing it for real; doing a real job."
