Opening doors to reach new heights

Senior Airman Andrew Shepard, 4th Operation Support Squadron air traffic controller, explains the different functions of the air traffic control display during a tour of the new radar approach control facility at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Jan. 15, 2014. With the new facility, an expansion plan was proposed to nearly double the square mileage of airspace the radar approach control team is responsible for. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)

Opening doors to reach new heights

4th Fighter Wing leaders, community dignitaries and key project advisors cut the ribbon during a ceremony at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Jan. 15, 2014. The ceremony marked the official opening of the 4th Operation Support Squadron’s new radar approach control facility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)

Opening doors to reach new heights

Senior Airman Andrew Shepard, 4th Operation Support Squadron air traffic controller, shows off the squadron’s high-tech radar system during a tour at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Jan. 15, 2014. 4th Fighter Wing leaders and community dignitaries toured the new radar approach control facility to see final product of a project decades in the making. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)

Opening doors to reach new heights

Published Jan. 21, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- After decades of researching, planning and construction, the 4th Operations Support Squadron finally saw a drawing board vision come to life. Despite many obstacles along the way, the squadron's new radar approach control (RAPCON) building opened for business.

To mark the official opening of the new facility, 4th Fighter Wing leaders, community dignitaries and key project advisors participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Jan. 14, 2014.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, those in attendance toured the state-of-the-art structure. With 12,000 square feet of space, nearly double the amount of the old building, it provides better accommodation for the more than 50 personnel and high-tech radar equipment according to Master Sgt. Steven Caskin, 4th OSS RAPCON chief controller.

The $6.9 million building includes radar and non-radar capabilities, which will provide approach control services to military and civilian aircraft arriving, departing, or transiting airspace surrounding Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

According to Caskin, in addition to the larger control room that houses the technical equipment, the most substantial benefits of the new building are the dedicated simulator room and classroom. These training rooms will provide the squadron's Airmen better equipment and an environment to dedicate time to education, allowing them to more effectively complete the mission.

With so many new upgrades, an expansion plan was proposed to nearly double the amount of airspace the RAPCON team is responsible for, which is currently at 5,800 square miles.

"The airspace expansion will greatly simplify air traffic controller (ATC) procedures as well as provide more North Carolina airports with service," said Brian Rockwell, 4th OSS RAPCON deputy chief controller. "Another added benefit will be expanded training airspace for 4th Fighter Wing aircraft."

According to Rockwell, the annual traffic count of military and civilian aircraft, which already exceeds 80,000, will significantly increase if the plan gets approved.

To further handle the increase in the workload, the 4th OSS is also looking into upgrading its ATC tower. As planned, the tower will be adjacent to the RAPCON facility, making it a one-stop shop for all air traffic communication. Currently, construction on the new tower will break ground in 2015.

Having to coordinate hundreds of aircraft traffic on a daily basis is just the norm for the RAPCON team, but with the new improvements they will be able better manage the flow and keep aircrew members safe.