Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, Aug. 10 2018

vol. 2, no. 16 Serving Southern Nevada’s military community, including Nellis, Creech and NTTR August 10, 2018 An Aerotech news And review publicAtion • www.Aerotechnews.com
NATCF: eyes, ears of Red Flag 18-3 aircraft
by Airman Bailee A. Darbasie
Nellis AFB, Nev.
In a large, dimly lit room located in the Nellis Air Traf- fic Control Facility (NATCF), faces are illuminated only by the reflection of air traffic control radar scopes.
Airmen assigned to the 57th Operation Support Squadron monitor the airways of aircraft departing and landing at Nel- lis Air Force Base, Nev., as an aircraft transmission comes through —
“Nellis departure Strike 01 airborne.”
“Strike 01, Nellis departure IDENT (procedure used to iden- tify aircraft).”
“Roger, Strike 01, leaving three thousand feet for flight level 190, two miles off departure end of runway.”
“Strike 01, radar contact.”
The lives of aircrews flying above depend greatly on the critical flight information air traffic control specialists on the ground provide in order to prevent accidents.
ATC specialists are respon- sible for the safety and guidance of air traffic by managing the flow of aircraft for the duration of their flights.
At the NATCF, ATC special- ists guide various aircraft types, from helicopter to fighter jets to heavy cargo planes.
Vigorous training and hours of hands on practice prepare ATC specialists to assure the safeguarding of millions of dol- lars’ worth of equipment and thousands of lives on a daily basis.
Air Force photograph by Airman Bailee A. Darbasie
Three F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets assigned to the 64th Aggressors Squadron fly over the Nevada Test and Training Range during Red Flag 18-3. The 64th AGRS served as part of the red forces during Red Flag 18-3 to prepare combat air forces, joint and allied aircrews for tomorrow’s victories, with challenging and realistic scenarios.
Air Force photograph by Airman Bailee A. Darbasie
Airman 1st Class Jamel Johnson, air traffic controller apprentice assigned to the 57th Operation Support Squadron, guides aircraft as the scope controller at the Nellis Air Traffic Control Facility. At the NATCF, ATC specialists guide various aircraft types, from helicopter to fighter jets to heavy cargo planes.
RIGHT: Senior Airman Orion Furber, air traffic controller assigned to the 57th Operation Support Squadron, prepares flight information for the scope controllers at the Nellis Air Traffic Control Facility. ATC specialists are responsible for the safety and guidance of air traffic by managing the flow of aircraft throughout their flights.
____ See natcf, on Page 4
Commentary — 2; News — 3-8; Nellis Living — 13; Lighter Side — 16
Air Force photograph by Airman Bailee A. Darbasie