Cutting edge tower raises controller capabilities Published May 21, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Amanda Dick 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- With the cutting of a ribbon at Offutt's new state-of-the-art control tower Wednesday, 55th Operations Support Squadron specialists took a giant leap forward in training and air traffic management. With a bigger cab and training rooms for new controllers, "This facility is state of the art," said 55th Wing Commander Col. Jim Jones. "It helps controllers with everything they need to do to be able to control air traffic and to make sure we're operating properly." Colonel Jones, who cut the ribbon to officially open the tower with the assistance of Airman 1st Class Randall Vaughn, the most junior controller with the 55th OSS, told the audience that flyers tend to be the face of the Air Force, but controllers are the ones who guide those flyers. "It is the controllers who have an incredible responsibility, and we need to give them the resources to do their job," Colonel Jones added. The new tower is that resource, he said. One of the biggest benefits of the new tower is training rooms within the same complex as the tower itself. Now, controllers can easily assist with training on the second floor during times of low air traffic, said Master Sgt. William Welsh, a 55th OSS chief controller, because it's a short trip to return to the control cab when air traffic is about to pick up. "I'm very happy to be one of the first to train in the new tower," said Airman Vaughn. "I think it's a milestone for me." Not only is training easier in the new tower, the larger cab makes for a smooth partnership between the supervisor of flying, or SOF, and the controllers. The SOF is the 55th Operations Group commander's representative in the tower for day-to-day flying operations. The SOF also monitors frequencies, is knowledgeable about daily flying activities, and can evaluate unusual circumstances with aircraft comings and goings. The SOF is a senior pilot or navigator in the rank of captain or higher who has taken training classes, been to job-related briefings, and has trained in the tower. On-the-spot decisions regarding flying can be made by the SOF in the tower without having to call someone, said Sergeant Welsh. "If there's a question, whether it is priority, mission, alert or emergency related, it can be answered right then and there," Sergeant Welsh said. Previously, the SOF was positioned between two consoles in the old tower's cab, said Sergeant Welsh. Now, the SOF has his own console. The SOF is not the only person who has more space, so does everyone else who works in the control tower. The old tower had only one office and one bathroom. The new tower includes a training office, chief controller office, briefing room, two equipment rooms, a ready room, four bathrooms, two shower areas with lockers, as well as the simulator and training rooms. The old tower, a few feet away and built in 1974, was dismantled and torn down last month. Wednesday's ribbon cutting ceremony started the next era in Offutt's distinguished air traffic control history.