Features

Lajes ATC enables trans-Atlantic bridge

Photos by Senior Airman John Wright
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
May 6, 2022
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Shine, 65th Air Base Squadron Air Traffic Control watch supervisor, right, and Portuguese air force Furriel Rui Freitas, Air Base 4 ATC Squadron air traffic controller, monitor the airfield from the ATC Tower at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, April 26. Airmen and Portuguese air force service members work side-by-side at Lajes to accomplish the 65th Air Base Group’s trans-Atlantic bridge mission. The group enables expeditionary movement of warfighters and warplanes, and global communications to combatant commanders, supporting joint, coalition and NATO operations, and promoting regional partnerships.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dallas Moore, 65th Air Base Squadron Air Traffic Control watch supervisor, verifies flight progress strips in the Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) facility at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, April 26. Air traffic controllers at RAPCON record the general information and intent of each aircraft on the strips. By monitoring this information and keeping constant communication with pilots, RAPCON ensures the safe arrival and departure of aircraft.
Portuguese air force Furriel Rui Freitas, Air Base 4 Air Traffic Control Squadron air traffic controller, facilitates the movement of aircraft from the ATC Tower at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, April 26. Working with its counterpart, Radar Approach Control, the Tower facilitates the safe and efficient flow of air traffic through Lajes, home of the U.S. Air Force 65th Air Base Group. The 65th ABG provides base and transient support for Department of Defense, allied nations and other authorized aircraft crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Shine, 65th Air Base Squadron Air Traffic Control watch supervisor, verifies inbound aircraft information in the ATC Tower at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, April 26. The Tower is the counterpart to the Radar Approach Control, collectively making up the ATC complex. By monitoring flight information and keeping constant communication with pilots, air traffic controllers ensure safe arrival and departure of aircraft. 
« Previous × Next »