Kirkuk’s tower controls sky

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. J. LaVoie
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  “Kirkuk tower; snake one one. Flight of two checking in eight miles out established on final.”

“Snake one one; Kirkuk tower. Check wheels down wind, estimated zero one zero at five, cleared to land.”

Like a scene from a movie, this real-world scenario features the official “talk” of air traffic controllers here.

Air traffic controllers use this special language, referred to as “phraseology,” to give pilots clear and concise directions that will allow them to land safely.

“It’s our responsibility to safely separate and sequence aircraft,” said Tech. Sgt. Bobby Hall of the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron. “We have lives and multimillion dollar aircraft in our hands.”

Though the U.S. Air Force does not have any aircraft of its own here, controllers talk to about 1,500 aircraft operators monthly. They support C-130 Hercules transferring equipment and people, the Iraqi air force training squadron, an oil pipeline security unit, Army helicopters and even unmanned aerial vehicles.

“Some of the UAVs are so small it’s a challenge to keep them separated from the other aircraft,” said Master Sgt. Tom Craine of the 506th EOSS. “They fly low level, so keeping them in sight to advise the numerous transiting helicopters keeps us on our toes.”

The air traffic control tower controls all airspace within five miles of Kirkuk up to an altitude of 4,000 feet, including aircraft on the ground. For Airmen to have this responsibility, they go through extensive training.

After their initial four-month technical school at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., controllers begin upgrade training at their first duty station.

“It can take up to 14 months to become fully certified,” Sergeant Hall said. “Trainees aren’t allowed to work unmonitored until they are certified in every position. Additionally, when controllers (change stations) or deploy, they have to be re-entered into training and certified in every position for the facility they are assigned.”

These positions include flight data, ground control, local control and watch supervisor.

“Flight data is a lot like a secretary,” Sergeant Hall said. “They answer phone lines from other facilities and coordinate information and take care of the flight progress strips for the local controller because local is watching the airplanes out the window.

“The ground controller is responsible for everything in parking and vehicles that want to enter or cross the runway,” he added. “The local controller is responsible for everything within the control tower airspace. The watch supervisor has to be certified in all positions and is responsible for everything that happens during the eight-hour shift.”