FORWARD OPERATING BASE FARAH, Afghanistan - A small team of air traffic controllers from F Company, the Skymasters, Task Force Shadow has been assisting U.S. Navy air traffic controllers here to manage an average of 40 air movements daily since late March.
The air traffic at FOB Farah ranges from fixed wing aircraft, such as C-130 Hercules airplanes, to rotary-wing aircraft like UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.
The mission was originally assumed by the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade's TF Talon because of the need to provide positive control of airspace at the forward operating base. Air traffic controllers were sent to maintain and manage this new airfield.
Throughout the Skymasters time here, they have, and plan to continue to, exemplify excellence.
Lt. Col. Bradley Ninness, TF Shadow commander, has often said, "Wherever Shadow goes, it will be apparent that they are the best!"
FOB Farah is a small and densely populated home to U.S. and other International Security Assistance Forces. It is located in Farah province in southwestern Afghanistan which is one of the greatest areas of taliban resistance in the western part of the country.
It would not be far-fetched to say the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade's mission and overall affect on the war is concentrated in RC (South), its primary area of operations.
However, on a Forward Operating Base east of the Iranian border, in the heart of Regional Command (West), the Skymasters are busy seven days a week controlling air traffic in support of coalition forces.
Upon Arrival, the controllers saw problems and safety hazards which they have been able to correct.
Once on the ground, Sgt. Aaron B. Paradise, F Co., TF Shadow tower facility chief, immediately established rapport with all supporting personnel who help provide continuous airfield maintenance.
"Since creating a working relationship with the agencies, we've become more efficient at getting R&R Soldiers and civilians on aircraft going to other FOBs," said Spc. Jeremiah B. Johnson, F Co., TF Shadow tower shift leader.
Paradise has exhibited a keen vision and a "can do" attitude that has won over many of the FOB's key personnel and has been critical to the improvement of daily operations on the airfield.
He is currently working on obtaining a new tower, airfield lighting and dust control for the aprons where aircraft are parked.
The Skymasters have already made improvements to flight schedules by working with the agencies operating here and created an improved method to ensure aircraft have suitable parking and ground handling, said Johnson.
In addition to flight operations, the Skymasters have made improvements to the airfield itself.
They improved the safety of the airfield by teaching the local nationals and other FOB employees how to use hand-held radios and signals from the tower when entering or operating equipment on the runway, said Spc. Malcolm J. Dean, F Co., TF Shadow air traffic controller.
The Skymasters have undergone a rigorous facility training program composed of tasks specific to the mission, equipment and meant to qualify them in successfully managing air traffic in and around the FOB.
Sgt. 1st Class Takia T. Allen, F Co., TF Shadow ATC chief, recently tested and rated each of the controllers.
Allen originally assessed the tower as an Air Traffic Control Services facility, which is a mobile ATC facility in a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle.
The equipment from the HMMWV can be put into a tower to make the tower a tactical terminal control system facility, a self-contained modular air traffic control communication system capable of rapid deployment.
Allen created a facility training program based on this mobile system to qualify them for their ATCS rating.
An ATCS rating is a qualification that a controller can receive while working in a facility or tower that does not utilize any of the ATC systems in the Army inventory. It is considered a fixed base facility managed in a combat environment.
Allen spent approximately four days ensuring that the air traffic controllers followed the facility training program to the letter and as a result, all three of the original controllers are now ATCS rated and very proficient at their new job.
"The changes made have given pilots more confidence in the ATC and operations at Farah," said Paradise.
In addition to their ATCS qualification, the Skymasters have also managed ATC emergencies.
In late April, they assisted with the reporting and recovery of a downed aircraft which landed just outside of the FOBs controlled airspace shortly after take-off.
Dean and Petty Officer 3rd Class Brett T. Swanson, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command air traffic controller immediately called the tactical operations center here informing them of the situation and coordinated for security forces.
A detachment of Soldiers from both the U.S. and Italy were dispatched to recover the aircraft while the crew and passengers loaded onto another aircraft and continued to a nearby FOB.
The Skymasters successfully executed emergency procedures and were critical in relaying information to the TOC during the entire situation.
The air traffic controllers here have managed to adapt to their situation and environment by improving their conditions and procedures. They have proven to be successful in accomplishing their mission, and assisting the U.S. Navy in controlling the airspace around this small FOB.
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