Contractor to control air traffic at Bagram

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Russell Wicke
  • 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs
The base here is scheduled to be the first of four supporting Operation Enduring Freedom to replace Air Force air traffic controllers and airfield managers with contracted civilians. The transition is expected by the end of September.

“We expect a seamless transition with no interruption to air traffic services,” said Maj. Shelley Fuerst, 455th Airfield Operations Squadron commander, who is deployed from the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 243rd Air Traffic Control Squadron.

The other locations include Kandaher Air Base, Afghanistan; Karshi-Khanabad AB, Uzbekistan; and Ganci AB, Kyrgyzstan.

The outsourcing was developed to free up airmen with critically-needed skills within Southwest Asia. According to Fuerst, 62 percent of the Air Force’s air traffic control mission belongs to the Guard, which is causing significant stress on the reserve forces.

“In this career field there are too many taskings and not enough people,” said Fuerst. “Once the contractor assumes full air traffic and airfield operations, the people and assets here will be returned to their home stations where they can be reconstituted and ready to deploy for different operations.”

It is not new for the military to contract jobs out to civilians in a combat environment, according to 1st Lt. Pedro Rampolla, the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group’s operations officer.

“Our food services along with a few other services are contracted out,” said Rampolla. “But, Bagram is … the first base in a war zone to contract out air traffic control and airfield management to civilian contractors.”

It appears that contracting controllers will do more than free up airmen for other deployments. Rampolla said this action will save the Air Force money in the long run because people will not have to be rotated out every 120 days.

“We will rotate out once every year,” said Bob Engberg, contracted site manager. “One of the biggest benefits we will bring the Air Force is the continuity from our less frequent rotations.” He will replace Fuerst.

Nevertheless, operations will not change just because contractors are managing the airfield.

“They will be just as much a part of the team as our military people,” said Rampolla. “They will have the same living accommodations and are required to play in all of the force-protection exercises.”

Additionally, the contractors are trained and ready for chemical warfare.

“We know how to use (the) field and (protective) gear,” said Engberg. “I feel comfortable here because I’m surrounded by the U.S. military. They know their job, and I have confidence in their ability.”

According to Engberg, it is an honor for him and his people to be here.

“This job opportunity allows us to serve our country alongside those in uniform,” he said. “I’m proud to be here for that reason.”