LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The 37th Operations Support Squadron exercises a major role in flight operations and support at Lackland. Its duties include assistance to Air Force, Reserve, Texas Air National Guard and transient air traffic.
According to 37th OSS Commander Lt. Col. Chris Cozzi, the squadron's mission is wide-ranging.
"We support anything that's related to any type of flying operations," said Colonel Cozzi.
This assistance includes meteorological reports, transient alert services and air traffic control.The unit supports operations at Lackland, Brooks City-Base, basic military training graduation flybys and the arrival of distinguished visitors. The 37th OSS also provides services to the Port Authority of San Antonio through air traffic control and base operations.
"We're currently working with them on the condition of the runway and possible upgrades," said Colonel Cozzi. "It's a cooperative effort that we have with them."
The 37th OSS is also the first choice for Presidential support duties and provides logistical support for functions such as Blue Summit. The unit additionally supports the National Disaster Medical System from its headquarters.
Air traffic control duties are a central aspect of the 37th OSS mission.
This support is carried out from the control tower at Lackland's Kelly Field Annex and directs a significant amount of air traffic.
According to Master Sgt. Peter Cravotta, 37th OSS, this frequently requires cooperation with the San Antonio International Airport and its respective air traffic controllers.
"We work hand in hand with their tower," he said. According to Sergeant Cravotta, close coordination is necessary because of the proximity of civilian and military air traffic over San Antonio. The 37th OSS controllers maintain effective contact with the airport through a direct line to its tower.
Since the airport's flight path is often parallel to the Kelly runway, the 37th OSS watch supervisor or flight data controller at the tower must often coordinate efforts with civilian controllers.
Another important duty of the air traffic controllers is the constant maintenance and updating of the Automatic Terminal Information System, or ATIS. This system is a continuous broadcast of essential weather updates, runway and approach information that informs pilots of conditions at nearby airports.
"They send it to us hourly if something significant changes," said Sergeant Cravotta.
There are four main positions filled by air traffic controllers at the tower. These positions are divided according to the aspects of air operations each controller manages.
The watch supervisor is qualified in all four positions and is tasked with managing the entire tower. The local position is in charge of guiding aircraft in the air or on the active runway. The ground control position manages taxiing aircraft and ground towing.
The fourth position is the flight data controller. This person is tasked with communicating with the San Antonio tower, managing ATIS and coordinating with the fire department. According to Sergeant Cravotta, this person may be the busiest Airman in the tower depending on air traffic conditions.
The four persons in the tower are often complemented by a pilot from the Texas Air National Guard during F-16 flight training.
Training Airmen to become efficient air traffic controllers is also an important aspect of the 37th OSS. Some segments of training are carried out in a simulation building that provides future controllers with a recreation of the real tower's conditions.
The building has a 10-foot screen that simulates the controllers' view of the runway.
"It's got the same view as upstairs," said Sergeant Cravotta. "It's a training tool we use for new personnel."
Prospective controllers are initially enrolled in a two-week introductory course teaching them the fundamentals of air traffic control.
Trainees also receive further instruction in ground control operations. This part of the training curriculum varies according to the experience level of each individual.
Training for the local position is also given, with the instruction process divided into three separate blocks. If trainees fail to pass any level of the overall air traffic control course, they are washed out of the career field.
"We haven't had a big problem here with washing out, but career-field-wide it's pretty bad," said Sergeant Cravotta.
Despite the challenges it presents, he considers air traffic control to be a rewarding career field.
"I originally wanted to do this when I came into the Air Force," said Sergeant Cravotta. "I think that it's one of the best jobs in the Air Force."