Air traffic controllers hone skills during exercise

Instead of being in the comfort of an air traffic tower, air traffic controllers, assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, or CAB, are sitting in the grit of the dirt honing their aircraft communication skills.

The air traffic controllers, from Fox Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, or GSAB, 82nd CAB, conducted a field training exercise on Fort Bragg, March 30, in preparation for the upcoming air traffic controller, or ATC, mission in support of the joint operation being conducted by 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and 3rd Parachute Regiment, or PARA.

"What we do is either give aircraft instruction or assistance in order to make their flight and travels safe," said Pvt. 1st Class William Jennings, air traffic control operator, 3rd GSAB, 82nd CAB.

This type of coordination, between the ATCs and the pilots in the air, requires constant training.

"In order for us to do our job, we need to stay proficient," Jennings said. "We do this by conducting these types of field exercises to refine our skills."

 http://www.army.mil/article/146147/Air_traffic_controllers_hone_skills_during_exercise/