RAPCON

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airmen 1st Class Andrew Shepard and Shawn Menssen conduct a simulator training session here, May 4, 2011. Airmen Shepard and Menssen are air traffic control apprentices who monitor a terminal-control workstation that requires a minimum of two people. Airman Shepard hails from Apple Valley, Minn., and Airman Menssen is a native of Shawne, Kan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert) (RELEASED)

RAPCON

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.-- Staff Sgt. Brandon Dick helps Airman 1st Class Hannah Victor coordinate with an adjacent facility here, May 4, 2011. Air traffic controllers must communicate with other facilities to keep aircraft safe in the sky. Sergeant Dick hails from Charleston, S.C., and is an air traffic control watch supervisor. Airman Victor hails from Cincinnati and is an air traffic control apprentice. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert) (RELEASED)

RAPCON

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Mr. Brian Rockwell gives members of McMichael High School JROTC a tour of their new facility here, May 4, 2011. McMichael High School is located in Mayodan. Mr. Rockwell is the deputy chief controller of the Radar Approach and Control and is a native of Richmond, Mass. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert) (RELEASED)

RAPCON receives $16 million upgrade

Published May 5, 2011
By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The Radar Approach and Control Center received an extreme makeover as they upgraded their aging radar system to the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, April 27.

If the air traffic control tower is the eyes on the skies, the RAPCON is their heavy duty binoculars. Tasked with the strenuous duty of controlling 5,400 square miles of airspace spanning from Duplin County to Kinston, the Airmen and civilians at the RAPCON anxiously welcomed the new STARS system.

"We've known the system was coming since the 90s and have been anticipating it since then," said Brian Rockwell, deputy chief controller at the 4th Operations Support Squadron's airfield operations flight. "The previous systems were very outdated, but our controllers worked the best they could with what they had."

The $16 million dollar upgrade allows air traffic controllers to have a better target quality, increase training capabilities and have better communication with other controllers. With additional features such as an advanced weather radar, the STARS system equips air traffic controllers with the tools needed to protect the skies.

"The usual time it takes to train an air traffic controller straight out of technical school is two years," Mr. Rockwell said. "It is really two years before they ever talk to a pilot, because of the complexity of the job. With this new system, we may be able to knock the training time down, because it allows for much more hands-on training, without the potential of compromising the airspace."

While all previous training was computer-module based, the STARS system allows trainers to save a reallife scenario on the system for a trainee to complete. With this capability, the trainee can rework the scenario, gaining experience on an actual situation rather than an outdated training program.

"This new system is a lot more stable than the previous one," said Tech. Sgt. Shawn Bowers, NCOIC of automation at the RAPCON, who was diverted to Seymour Johnson on his way to Korea to be the subject matter expert of the STARS system. "It really enhances the radar, making it easier for us to track aircraft."

The STARS system is approved by the Federal Aviation Association and, even in its first few weeks here, has already shown its worth. During the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds' practice for the 2011 Wings Over Wayne Air Show and Open House, an aircraft flew into their airspace and the RAPCON rapidly alerted the pilots. Because of the difficulty and precision of the Thunderbirds' maneuvers, an unknown aircraft in their airspace is a potentially deadly situation. Because of the RAPCON, crisis was averted and after a brief intermission, their practice went on as scheduled.

Airmen at the RAPCON are very appreciative of the 4th OSS, the 4th Communications Squadron and the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron because they were instrumental in the installation of the STARS system.