COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss -- People across the world have experienced a beautiful pink and orange sunset in their lives, but not everyone will experience that while taking off at speeds of up to 180 knots in an aircraft. As a part of the 14th Flying Training Wing’s mission to Train World Class Pilots,” students looking to earn their wings must earn flying hours at night. Operations like these require support from all parts of the installation.
In 2023, Columbus Air Force Base completed 345,157 operations. As the fourth busiest airfield in the Air Force, CAFB Air Traffic Control provides key flight information to aircraft flying in and around the base. Airman 1st Class Ramsey Everson, 14th Operations Support Squadron Air Traffic Control tower specialist, and his team are responsible for the lives of student pilots and instructors as they coordinate flight patterns, deconflict air space and runway operations and maintain safe flying operations.
“Throughout my career, some highlights have been the constant problem-solving skills and split-second decision-making controllers are required to execute every single day,” said Everson. “Some examples are clearing airspace for Medevac Life Helicopters to transition through, sequencing multiple aircraft into the same pattern on a single runway and expediting the flow of departures with multiple aircraft down a final approach course to the departing runway.”
Nighttime flight operations increase the safety risk for both aviators and ATC personnel as they coordinate the safe and orderly movement of aircraft and deconfliction of airspace.
“During night operations, we are required to take extra precaution when it comes to runway separation. Also adding to the workload, the separation between aircraft on the same runways goes from 3,000 feet to 6,000 feet During most normal operations, our tower controls an average of five planes in air at one time. However, during night operations this number is potentially increased to ten aircraft,” said Everson. “While I was a trainee, I even had a total of 11 aircraft at once on my frequency. This was the week before my facility certification. It proved to my training team that I was ready for my skill level upgrade to a fully qualified 5-level.”
Using a combination of visual, radar and non-radar operations, the tower successfully creates a safe training environment for student pilots.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the ATC team in the tower. We act as a family in the workplace and lookout for each other.” said Everson.
Through the dedication and expertise of ATC tower specialists like Everson, the 14th Flying Training Wing continues to ensure the safety and efficiency of flying operations. Their ability to adapt to the unique challenges that night flying presents, such as managing increased traffic or quick decision making, plays a crucial role in preparing the next generation of pilots.