Air Force Flight Standards Agency owns rules, regulations of flight

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) --  Picture an airfield. Aircraft taxi along the runway, pilots discussing clearances with air traffic controllers. Ground-flight operators drive the flight line ensuring the lights and navigation aids work and business can continue as scheduled. Their routines are possible because of the Air Force Flight Standards Agency.

Headquartered it an office building in Oklahoma City, the agency employs approximately 160 people. While half are in the office building, others work on base and still others in the Federal Aviation Administration's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. 

Soon the agency will take on more responsibility to better benefit the Air Force.

"What we do encompasses everything in the realm of flight," said Col. Fred Armstrong, AFFSA commander.

"Everything" includes five directorates: flight operation standards, airfield and air traffic control, requirements and sustainment, instrument procedure center and air traffic systems.  The mission is to maximize effectiveness of global air operations.

"AFFSA is kind of behind the scenes because everybody thinks of the fighters coming in or the cargo plane, but without AFFSA, none of that happens safely, or at night or in (bad) weather," said Col. Dan Groeschen, AFFSA director of operations.

"We own the regulations, we write the rules, we set the standards, we enforce the standards and we get the money to support that for every major command," Colonel Groeschen said. "We are one-stop shopping for aviation for the Air Force. The whole goal is safety of flight."

AFFSA relocated to Tinker in 2006 from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., as a result of a Base Realignment and Closure initiative. Colonel Armstrong said overall the move benefited the organization.

"It put us all together and puts us with FAA, so we can do our military thing and then cross-pollinate and work with the FAA," said Colonel Armstrong.

 Colonel Groeschen cited benefits to the taxpayer.

"From a taxpayer's perspective, the FAA has been able to reduce manpower because of what they leverage from us and the synergies they gain from us as well," he said. "It's a win for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense having this collective organization."

Yet, one ever-present AFFSA challenge of working closely with the FAA is coordinating the federal aviation's regulations while still upholding the military's rules.

Colonel Groeschen said a perfect example is that the FAA rules don't permit two commercial aircraft to touch while in flight, but that is a common sight within the Air Force. After all, a KC-135 Stratotanker's mission is air-refueling.

Lt. Col. Ed O'Connor, AFFSA director of airfield and air traffic control standards, said another challenge is transitioning from the old equipment and systems while integrating the new gear and simultaneously performing the mission.

In addition to the unit's day-to-day tasks, officials are looking to expand the responsibilities. In the next year-and-half, Colonel Armstrong said AFFSA leaders will stand up the Instruments and Procedures Center. The organization will be made up of Airmen from other major commands who will work the approach aspect.

Additionally, in the next year, AFFSA officials will start moving employees to their new home at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. Colonel Armstrong said crews are working to refurbish the building and add space.  By fall 2010, the facility should be ready and AFFSA personnel should begin relocating.