Senior Airman Scott Causey examines the new Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System June 17 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. STARS is a part of the noncontiguous, co-located radar approach control facility. The facility will control both Ellsworth AFB and Minot AFB, N.D. Airman Causey is a 28th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control journeymen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kasey Zickmund)
Staff Sgt. Jacob Martin (left) and Senior Airman Scott Causey monitor the old Radar Approach Control system June 17 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. This RAPCON system will be updated with the new Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System June 30, saving the Air Force $28.7 million over the next 20 years. Sergeant Martin and Airman Causey are 28th Operations Support Squadron Air Traffic Control journeymen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kasey Zickmund)
by Staff Sgt. Eric Bolt
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
6/19/2008 - ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFPN) -- Officials from the Ellsworth Air Force Base and Minot AFB, N.D., Radar Approach Control Facilities are preparing to open the Dakota Air Traffic Control Facility this summer here.
The facility will be a noncontiguous, co-located RAPCON and will service both bases and the region.
"The current Ellsworth RAPCON provides radar-based traffic service to all aircraft within 40 miles of Ellsworth, both military and civilian, up to and including 16,000 feet above sea level," said 1st Lt. Nathan Willis, 28th Operations Support Squadron Airlift Operations flight commander.
Members of the Ellsworth AFB RAPCON have the responsibility to sequence arrivals and departures from the base and Rapid City Regional Airport, along with Spearfish, Sturgis, Custer, Wall and Custer State Park airports, the lieutenant said.
"Our mission will be to provide air traffic services to the military and civilian airports from one co-located facility," said Chief Master Sgt. Brian Lavoie, the 28th OSS RAPCON chief controller. "Our new location is unique to the Air Force because of the great distance between Minot and Ellsworth Air Force bases."
Ellsworth AFB airspace and Minot AFB airspace are separated by 265 nautical miles.
