New tower cab opens at Ramstein

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mara Title
  • Detachment 4, Air Force News Agency
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNEWS) --  After two-and-a-half years of planning and construction, Ramstein Air Base's new tower cab is finally open for business.

The new cab is vital for mission success, since Ramstein has taken on more air traffic control responsibility with the closing of Rhein-Main Air Base. Among the new improvements to the tower are new consoles.  The previous ones were 30 years old and weren't designed to house the modern equipment in use now. The electrical capacity of the tower also has been improved, along with the ability to expand to meet future requirements.

On hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new tower cab was Gen. William T. Hobbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander; Brig. Gen. Richard Johnston, 86th Airlift Wing commander; and Col. Hank Sanders, 86th Operations Group commander.

"This is a remarkable accomplishment by a lot of folks, so I just want to say thanks for all your professionalism that made this happen," said General Hobbins. He also awarded three tower workers with Airmen Committed to Excellence awards for their efforts.

Master Sgt. Trevor Browning, assistant control tower chief, said the new layout ensures maximum productivity by minimizing operator fatigue and discomfort.

"It's just one step closer to that fruition of what we've been looking for the past three years," he said.

Various squadrons on base helped to complete the tower.

"I think it's outstanding," said Sergeant Browning. "The work the Saber Team did, all the other organizations that came together, the comm squadron, civil engineering ... I mean the list is endless. I think this project probably touched every organization on base, and to finally see it happening is a great thing."

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