Aircrews learned quickly during last year's fire and flood rescues how bad visibility can affect their missions. Air traffic controllers from 4th Combat Aviation Brigade spent the last year perfecting and training hard on a radar system that can help mitigate the risks with missions involving low visibility.
Air traffic control specialists from Company F, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB, 4th Infantry Division, conducted training throughout the month of June, 2014, on Air Traffic Navigation, Integration and Coordination System at Butts Army Airfield on Fort Carson.
"We are going through our readiness level progression stages," said Sgt. 1st Class Erik Wacker, Company F, 2nd GSAB, 4th Avn. Reg. "After a year of training on the equipment, most of our personnel are RLP one certified, which makes our radar team fully functional."
"We are trying to get our controllers rated to RLP four, so our ATCs can be extremely efficient and knowledgeable at controlling the airspace," said Wacker.
"There are four RLP stages," he said. "To complete stage one, the ATC has to know how to use the radar equipment. Stage two includes directing air traffic efficiently. Stage three involves getting an exam from a certified examiner. Finally, stage four involves the successful completion of guiding blind and emergency approaches."
The ATNAVIC system is a tactical radar system that provides a rapid air traffic control response for conditions that keep the air traffic control tower from working effectively.
"I remember using this system when I was in Basra, Iraq," said Wacker. "There was a big sandstorm with a large amount of rain behind it. This made it very hard for aircrews to see. I had to guide in a 737 aircraft containing more than 200 people. I don't rate any radar system above another, but this system is really great."
The ATNAVIC system would work well in domestic emergency missions, said Spc. Kenneth Jones, Company F, 2nd GSAB, 4th Avn. Reg.
"Although we did not get to use the system during last year's (Black Forest) fires and (Boulder) floods, I believe it could be useful in any emergency that we may be called to in the future," said Jones. "It would be useful in situations in which aircrews are traveling through smoke, debris and inclement weather."
We look forward to getting our entire terminal platoon rated on the ATNAVIC system, said Wacker.
"I've been training on this system for a year," said Jones. "I am very confident in our abilities, which makes it easier if we are called to use this equipment. I love working with this system and being able to train (on it) makes us better air traffic controllers."
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