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The guiding light

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean Campbell
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Col. Brian McDaniel, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Christian Pugh, 92nd ARW command chief, experienced firsthand how an airfield lighting check is done while visiting Fairchild airfield management Oct. 20.

The 92nd Operations Support Squadron airfield management night-shift team conducts a check of all the lights on the airfield, including the taxiways, every two hours. It's their job to ensure that lights are operational so aircraft can take off and return safely.

Conducting the lighting inspections is only one part of what airfield management does to maintain the readiness of Fairchild AFB. They are also depended on by pilots and air traffic controllers to keep the airfield systems - which include airfield navigational instruments and radars - working, up-to-date, and within the standards of operation.

Airfield management is an essential part of base operations. Without them performing their role Fairchild would not be able to conduct its mission of providing responsive, precise air refueling and operational support for the full range of military operations.