Previous Stories

Radar maintainers keep the wing flying

  • Published
  • By SrA Nick Wilson
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  When A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots were flying to and from Libya in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, Airmen from the 52nd Communications Squadron Ground Radar Systems Element worked night and day to feed pilots and air-traffic controllers the necessary information to complete their mission and arrive home safely.

The communications squadron's ground radar systems Airmen work continuously to accomplish their mission to maintain and control the two radar systems that send information to the air-traffic control tower.

"Our radar sends out a radio frequency pulse that bounces off each aircraft and sends it back as a video signal that is received and processed by air traffic controllers," said Airman 1st Class Jacob Steele, 52nd CS Ground Systems Radar Apprentice. "This tells the controllers the location and altitude of each aircraft."

According to Steele, this radar system is essential because it is necessary for aircraft to fly and land safely.

Ground radar systems Airmen control equipment worth nearly $2 million and undergo six months of technical training on each type of radar equipment used in the Air Force before going to their first base.

A new radar system is currently in construction to replace the old one and will be ready for use in 2013.

"This new system will have increased technology, be more user friendly and require less maintenance," said Staff Sgt. Eric Wachtel, 52nd CS Ground Systems Radar Craftsman.

It costs the 52nd CS more than $70,000 a year to maintain their radar. They perform preventative maintenance to include electrical, physical, corrosion, light inspections and oil-leak checks.

"If there's something that could happen with the radar that would cause a catastrophic failure or a major expenditure, you want to find out about it early," Wachtel said.

As the 52nd Fighter Wing's mission to "seek, attack and destroy" continues, so does the need for ground radar to keep the radar working in order to send information to and from aircraft and support the wing's air-traffic controllers with essential data.

"Without us, the wing can't accomplish their air mission or train," Wachtel said. "When the wing is able to do their mission, we contribute to that mission, which is very important."
Previous Story
Next Story