News>Air traffic controllers keep eyes on Kadena's skies
Photos
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Bahlman, 18th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, looks over the flight line while awaiting incoming aircraft on Kadena Air Base, Oct. 17. Air traffic controllers go through extensive training so they can facilitate flight missions’ smooth and efficient flight missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Blum, 18th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, gives a crew brief on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 17. As the shift lead, it's Blum's duty to advise his fellow air traffic controllers of the operational requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Lacy, 18th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, looks over the flight line while waiting for an aircraft to land on Kadena Air Base, Oct. 17. Air traffic controllers go through extensive training so they can help flight missions run smoothly and efficiently. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Blum, 18th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, responds to a phone call on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 17. Air traffic controllers go through extensive training so they can help flight missions run smoothly and efficiently. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Liam Taylor, 18th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, gives a light signal on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 17. A light gun signal is a backup communication method for vehicles and aircraft airborne or on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Bahlman, 18th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, points at a standard approach radar system on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 17. A standard approach radar system is a video live feed which shows the correlation between aircraft and the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace/released)
by Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace
18th Wing Public Affairs
10/19/2011 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan, Oct.19 -- Air traffic controllers are the people who expedite and maintain a safe and orderly flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system.
The position of the air traffic controller is one that requires specialized skills.
With Kadena Air Base being the largest combat wing in the Air Force, the overall mission can make the task of being an air traffic controller quite intriguing.
"Every day is a new challenge, we never come in to work thinking it will be like the previous day," said Christopher Bahlman, 18th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller.
