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Fairchild Air Force Base

Air Traffic Control Specialists

Senior Airman Andrew Huynh, an air traffic control specialist assigned to the 92nd Operations Support Squadron, monitors the flight line at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, July 29, 2024. Huynh oversaw local control, communicating with aircraft to clear them for takeoff or landing. ATC specialists manage the flow of aircraft through all aspects of the flight, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic on the ground and in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan St Marks)

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Air Traffic Control Specialists

A U.S. Air Force air traffic control tower stands nine stories high at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, July 29, 2024. The ATC tower is manned 24/7 to facilitate the safe flow of aircraft to and from the airfield. During their shift, ATC specialists observe weather conditions and assist aircraft during periods or bad weather or aid aircraft dealing with a malfunction. ATC specialists manage the flow of aircraft through all aspects of the flight, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic on the ground and in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan St Marks)

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Air Traffic Control Specialists

Staff Sgt. Michaela Gundersen, a watch supervisor assigned to the 92nd Operations Support Squadron, teaches Airman Samantha Pope, an air traffic control specialist assigned to the 92nd OSS, how to correctly read the radar and locate aircraft at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, July 29, 2024. Learning to read the radar is essential for ATC specialist to provide a safe and orderly flow of aircraft. ATC specialists manage the flow of aircraft through all aspects of the flight, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic on the ground and in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan St Marks)

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Air Traffic Control Specialists

Senior Airman Andrew Huynh, an air traffic control specialist assigned to the 92nd Operations Support Squadron, monitors the flight line at Fairchild at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, July 29, 2024. Huynh used the binoculars to visually identify the location of a distant inbound aircraft. ATC specialists manage the flow of aircraft through all aspects of the flight, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic on the ground and in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan St Marks)

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Air Traffic Control Specialists

Staff Sgt. Michaela Gundersen, a watch supervisor assigned to the 92nd Operations Support Squadron, wears an air traffic control patch while completing duties in the air traffic control tower at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, July 29, 2024. ATC specialists manage the flow of aircraft through all aspects of the flight, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic on the ground and in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan St Marks)

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Air Traffic Control Specialists

Airman Jacob Carlson, an air traffic control specialist assigned to the 92nd Operations Support Squadron, completes an on-the-job training task from another ATC specialist at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, July 29, 2024. Carlson learned flight data, coordination with other facilities, responding to incoming calls, ground control and providing clearance for aircraft to taxi to and from the runway. ATC specialists manage the flow of aircraft through all aspects of the flight, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic on the ground and in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan St Marks)

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PHOTOS: Air Traffic Control Specialists

Published July 30, 2024
By Senior Airman Morgan St Marks
92nd Air Refueling Wing

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --

During their shift, ATC specialists observe weather conditions and assist aircraft during periods or bad weather or aid aircraft dealing with a malfunction. ATC specialists manage the flow of aircraft through all aspects of the flight, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic on the ground and in the air.

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