TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
The United States Air Force's mission has been communicated through avenues ranging from media outlets to interpersonal conversations. Tyndall recognizes the 325th Operations Support Squadron’s Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems flight series for helping propel the Air Force mission forward.
The United States Air Force's mission has been communicated through avenues ranging from media outlets to interpersonal conversations. Tyndall recognizes the 325th Operations Support Squadron’s Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems flight series for helping propel the Air Force mission forward.
This week we take a look at the 325th Operations Support Squadron's Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems (ATCALS) flight and their mission to "Advance and Sustain Resources and Infrastructure."
Originally an asset of the Communications Squadron, the ATCALS flight was reassigned to the OSS in October 2014 due to an Air Force wide mandated reorganization. Their flight consists of 12 uniformed military members and seven civilians, across two Air Force Specialties, Ground Radar Maintenance and Airfield Systems Maintenance.
On a daily basis they ensure the mission readiness of 155 pieces of aircraft navigation aids, radars, ground-to-air radios and weather equipment worth $20 million. The equipment they maintain directly supports all of Tyndall's aircraft operations by providing precision approach, aircraft guidance, weather information and pilot to ground communication capabilities to the Radar Approach Control Facility and the Air Traffic Control Tower. ATCALS Technicians perform numerous tasks to include, but not limited to troubleshooting electronic equipment, corrosion control and installation of new equipment.
"We complete over 3,200 preventive maintenance inspections and respond to over 190 critical outages annually," said Staff Sgt. Corey Wiemers, 325th OSS Airfield Systems Supervisor. "Our training consists of approximately 1,250 tasks which is accomplished primarily by on-the-job training. One of our most unique tasks is that all of our technicians are tower climbing certified in order to accomplish inspections on the radio and Navigational Aid antennas."
The ATCALS maintenance team consistently beats the 97 percent Air Force standard for equipment uptime rates with a 99.8 percent and recognized as the best in the 9th Air Force.
"Whether we are locally repairing antiquated parts or implementing new requirements, all of our technicians do an amazing job of thinking outside the box and do whatever it takes to ensure all of Tyndall's ATCALS meet mission requirements," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Tucker, 325th OSS ATCALS maintenance NCO In-Charge.
Recently the ATCALS maintenance flight was recognized during the 325th FW 2015 annual awards banquet.
"Tyndall leadership recognized the ATCALS flight as Team Tyndall Innovators of the Year for 2015," said Lt. Col. Andrew Shurtleff, 325th OSS commander. "Their ability to perform various tasks requiring mission specific skills while simultaneously doing more with less has garnered them the award."
This flight along with the other six flights within the 325th OSS play a vital role in ensuring mission readiness.