Air Traffic Control - 1C1X1

Mission 
Every day, hundreds of military airplanes and helicopters take off and land all over the world. It is the job of air traffic controllers to monitor these aircraft in order to prevent accidents. Air traffic controllers, or ATCs, direct the movement of aircraft into and out of military airfields all over the world and track aircraft by radar and give voice instructions by radio.

ATCs must also know learn how to operate radio equipment to relay flight and landing instructions, weather reports and safety information to pilots.  ATCs are also responsible for plotting aircraft positions on radar equipment, as well as computing aircraft speed, direction and altitude. 

All ATCs must earn and maintain a Federal Aviation Administration ATC Specialist Certificate. 

ATCs can deploy to or be stationed anywhere in the world in support of airfield or air base operations. However, being an ATC is not for everyone. Due to the hectic nature of the job, it can be overwhelming at times and Air Traffic Control, whether military or civilian, is also commonly listed among the top five most stressful jobs. 

Qualifications
Those interested in joining the air traffic control career field must meet certain eligibility criteria. A candidate must be a high school graduate or equivalent, earn a general score of at least 55 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test and be able to obtain a Secret security clearance. Also, because of the job's hectic nature, applicants should possess a level head and be able to work well under stress.

Senior Airman Hunter J. Maggard, 2nd Operations Support Squadron air traffic control apprentice, uses his binoculars to locate an aircraft on the flightline at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, August 22, 2019. The air traffic control tower is manned 24/7 to facilitate the safe flow of aircraft from the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jacob B. Wrightsman)

Senior Airman Hunter J. Maggard, 2nd Operations Support Squadron air traffic control apprentice, uses his binoculars to locate an aircraft on the flightline at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, August 22, 2019. The air traffic control tower is manned 24/7 to facilitate the safe flow of aircraft from the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jacob B. Wrightsman)
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Staff Sgt. Christian Glover, 39th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, monitors the flight line at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, April 13, 2021. ATC Airmen are responsible for clearing pilots during take-off and landing, and play a significant role in communicating vital flight pattern and weather information. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Derek Seifert)

Staff Sgt. Christian Glover, 39th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, monitors the flight line at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, April 13, 2021. ATC Airmen are responsible for clearing pilots during take-off and landing, and play a significant role in communicating vital flight pattern and weather information. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Derek Seifert)
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Members from the 243rd Air Traffic Control Squadron with the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, set up their mobile Air Traffic control equipment on July 14, 2020 at Camp Guernsey, Wyo. The 243rd ATCS is one of only ten Air National Guard Air Traffic Control Squadrons located throughout the United States. Their mission is to deploy and employ Air Traffic Control services worldwide and an important part of the Guard air traffic control mission includes establishing bases in locations without existing air traffic control facilities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jon Alderman)

Members from the 243rd Air Traffic Control Squadron with the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, set up their mobile Air Traffic control equipment on July 14, 2020 at Camp Guernsey, Wyo. The 243rd ATCS is one of only ten Air National Guard Air Traffic Control Squadrons located throughout the United States. Their mission is to deploy and employ Air Traffic Control services worldwide and an important part of the Guard air traffic control mission includes establishing bases in locations without existing air traffic control facilities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jon Alderman)
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Training
After basic training, Airmen assigned to be ATCs will attend a 72-day Air Traffic Control operator course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., where they will learn ATC principles and procedures. These include: flight characteristics of aircraft, International Civil Aviation Organization and United States federal and military air directives, the use of aeronautical charts, maps, and publications and the interpretation, use, and limitations of ATC radar, communications systems and navigational aids.