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Airfield operations flight maintains safety from all angles

By Senior Airman Colleen Anthony, 62d Airlift Wing Public AffairsFebruary 8, 2024

Airfield operations flight maintains safety from all angles
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Airmen and civilians with 62d Operations Support Squadron’s airfield management team, maintain safe, secure and efficient airfield environments to ensure aircraft can take off or land at a moment’s notice at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Jan. 31, 2024. The airfield management team falls under the airfield operations flight comprised of air traffic control, airfield management and radar airfield and weather systems. Each plays a crucial role in the success of the 62d Airlift Wing's mission.

(Photo Credit: Senior Airman Colleen Anthony, 62d Airlift Wing) VIEW ORIGINAL
Airfield operations flight maintains safety from all angles
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Stoner, an airfield management operations supervisor, with the 62d Operations Support Squadron uses a measuring wheel to assess flight line safety clearances for aircraft at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Jan. 31, 2024. The airfield management team falls under the airfield operations flight comprised of air traffic control, airfield management, and radar airfield and weather systems. Each plays a crucial role in the success of the 62d Airlift Wing's mission. (Photo Credit: Senior Airman Colleen Anthony, 62d Airlift Wing) VIEW ORIGINAL
Airfield operations flight maintains safety from all angles
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Phelps, left a radar airfield and weather supervisor, and Senior Airman Joshua Hiller, a RAWS specialist, both with the 62d Operations Support Squadron lower the FMQ19 Weather Sensor down to inspect it for damage at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Feb. 1, 2024. RAWS manages air traffic systems, warning radar systems, navigational aids and weather equipment radios. (Photo Credit: Senior Airman Colleen Anthony, 62d Airlift Wing) VIEW ORIGINAL
Airfield operations flight maintains safety from all angles
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Hiller, a radar airfield and weather systems specialist with the 62d Operations Support Squadron, communicates with his airfield operations flight counterparts after an inspection of the FMQ19 Weather Sensor for damage at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Feb. 1, 2024. The RAWS team falls under the airfield operations flight comprised of air traffic control, airfield management and RAWS, each play a crucial role in the success of the 62d Airlift Wing's mission. (Photo Credit: Senior Airman Colleen Anthony, 62d Airlift Wing) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- 

In 2014, the radar airfield and weather systems (RAWS) career field underwent a transition from communication squadrons to operation support squadrons throughout the Air Force. At the 62d Airlift Wing, RAWS is now seamlessly integrated into the 62d Operations Support Squadron's airfield operations flight. A decade after this shift, the impact on flight operations at McChord is unmistakable.

"I've been in for 14 years now, and this Air Operations Flight is one of the most cohesive units I've ever been a part of," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Defaytte, NCO in charge of Airfield Management Operations. "The working relationship between our tower partners and the RAWS team is pretty much seamless."

The flight comprises three units: air traffic control (ATC), airfield management, and RAWS, each playing a crucial role in the success of the 62d AW's mission.

"We get the aircraft from the ramps to airborne; we deliver safety alerts and relay relevant information that the pilots are seeing," explained Airman 1st Class Tyler Oromonde, an ATC specialist. "We operate 24/7, 365 days a year, regardless of rain, sleet or shine."

ATC focuses on ensuring the safe flow of air traffic, while RAWS manages air traffic systems, warning radar systems, navigational aids and weather equipment radios. Airfield management conducts airfield inspections, coordinates maintenance and ensures aircraft can take off or land at a moment's notice. Together, they balance the mission's weight within the airfield operations flight.

The transition for RAWS to OSS streamlined processes. According to feedback, obtaining funding became easier as they aligned within the same squadron they worked most closely with.

"Most communication units don't know, for example, what an instrument landing system is. When we switched to OSS, we became a part of the same squadron as those we were working with most," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Phelps, RAWS supervisor.

The collaborative efforts between ATC, airfield management and RAWS have not only streamlined operations, but also contributed to the overall success of the 62d AW's mission. As the 10-year milestone since the transition is recognized, it is evident this strategic shift has not only improved communication and coordination, but has also facilitated smoother processes, ensuring  mission readiness of the wing with each successful sortie.

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