4th CS aids eyes in the sky

Wayne Moriniti and Airman 1st Class Joshua Dishner examine a recording process for Bexr radar equipment at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 5, 2009. Bexr radar equipment communicates with the aircraft by sending an identify friend or foe signal to the pilot or weapons system officer who signals back with a four digit alpha-numeric code. Mr. Moriniti and Airman Dishner are from the 4th Communications Squadron radar maintenance work center. Airman Dishner is originally from Bristol, Tenn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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4th CS aids eyes in the sky

Senior Airman Tashia Kamper, 4th Communication Squadron airfield systems apprentice, checks the voltage on a UHF transmitter used in the air traffic control tower on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 5, 2009. The UHF transmitter is used to communicate with aircraft in the airspace. Airman Kamper is originally from St. Louis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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4th CS aids eyes in the sky

Senior Airman Tashia Kamper, 4th Communication Squadron airfield systems apprentice, closes a UHF transmitter box after completing an inspection on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 5, 2009. This equipment, located in the air traffic control tower, requires an annual inspection to check its serviceability. Airman Kamper is originally from St. Louis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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4th CS aids eyes in the sky

Airman 1st Class Joshua Dishner, 4th Communications Squadron air traffic control radar apprentice, uses a volt meter to check electrical output of a video processor in a GPN-20 airport surveillance radar on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 5, 2009. The radar is part of the Federal Aviation Administration's national airspace, in order to maintain these standards, the communication specialist perform a weekly check to ensure it is functioning properly. Airman Dishner is originally from Bristol, Tenn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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4th CS aids eyes in the sky

Published Nov. 9, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Rae Perry
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Communications Squadron has a hand in just about every form of communication taking place on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Offices using technology ranging from mail servers to ground radar trackers rely on these communications specialist's abilities to maintain their equipment to perform daily operations.

As part of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base air traffic controllers are dependent on the base's communications specialist's skills. If their equipment does not function properly their ability to control aircraft in the base's airspace safe is limited.

One piece of equipment the controllers rely on is the GPR-20, a ground-to-air radar which tracks aircraft by reflecting signals off the metal of the airframes. Members of the 4th CS must inspect this piece of equipment and others similar to it weekly.

A new digital airport surveillance radar is in the construction process and slated for completion in November 2010.