Gosport - July 05, 2019

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VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com

Vol. 83, No. 26

July 5, 2019

NAS Pensacola air traffic controllers keep skies safe above ‘Cradle of Naval Aviation’

From NAS Pensacola Public Affairs

At any given moment there are an estimated 5,000 aircraft in U.S. airspace – approximately 44,000 flights operating daily, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Although much of that traffic is centered around metropolitan areas, the air traffic above Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola remains significant, with more than 60,000 aircraft operations each year at the “Cradle of Naval Aviation.” Directing that traffic in the skies above NAS Pensacola – a responsibility involving millions of dollars and countless human lives – has been entrusted to Sailors for more than 80 years. These service members, each of whom have successfully completed courses at Naval Air Technical Training Center’s (NATTC) Air Traffic Control (ATC) schoolhouse and are part of the U.S. Navy’s Air Traffic Control (AC) rate, are responsible for safely and effectively directing aircraft operating from and to Forrest Sherman Field onboard NAS Pensacola. “It is a fulfilling job where you consistently surprise yourself by applying the knowledge you gained from countless hours of studying and continuous training,” AC2 Aaron Maddox said.

AC2 Joshua Nichols from Western Grove, Arkansas, visually identifies aircraft at the air traffic control tower onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola July 1. Sailors and civilian employees assigned to NAS Pensacola’s air traffic control department are responsible for more than 60,000 aircraft operations each year.

Sherman Tower, named for former chief of naval operations (CNO) and naval aviator Adm. Forrest Sherman, houses the NAS Pensacola Air Operations Department’s Air Traffic Control division. Here, the air traffic controllers work in two teams standing eight-hour watches up to seven times each week. These Sailors control the movement of aircraft and vehicles on airfield taxiways and runways, issue flight instructions to pilots by radio communication

systems and light signals, and direct all aircraft airborne operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Air traffic controllers additionally operate surveillance radar, precision radar, data link approach systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment and other air traffic control equipment. They also maintain current flight planning information and reference material and assist pilots in

preparation and processing flight plans, all of which AC1 Chad Bradley said is critical to the continued safe operation of aircraft at one of the busiest air traffic control centers in the southeastern United States. “This job requires attention to details during every moment you are controlling traffic,” Bradley said. “Complacency is not an option. There are lives at stake. Air traffic controllers save lives every day.” With the sheer number of training flights originating onboard NAS Pensacola, ACs ensure the safe flow of NAS Pensacola air traffic, directly supporting training missions for naval aviation students from Training Air Wing 6 (TRAWNG-6); TRAWNG 5; the U.S. Air Force’s 479th Flying Training Group; the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels; and other area training commands. Additionally, these Sailors support exercises for U.S. armed forces in the Gulf of Mexico as well as support for ship testing and certifications for all pre-commissioning ships from the Pascagoula shipyard. “The job is rewarding in so many aspects. Not only do we gain immediate job satisfaction at the end of each launch and recovery, we also get to see See NASP ACs on page 2

‘Five Things to Know’ on the Graduate Education Voucher (GEV) program From Naval Education and Training Command

Naval officers have an additional advanced education option to pursue graduate studies with the FY-20 Graduate Education Voucher (GEV) program. The GEV program offers eligible officers funding for graduate education during off-duty hours. Through GEV, unrestricted line (URL) officers can apply to receive funding for Navy-relevant graduate education meeting the requirements of at least one subspecialty code as specified by the Naval Postgraduate School.

Here are “Five Things to Know” on the FY-20 Graduate Education Voucher (GEV) program: 1. The GEV program offers an accelerated funding path to an off-duty master’s degree with financial support of up to $20,000 per fiscal year, with a total limit of $40,000 for up to a 24-month course of study. 2. The GEV program is open to URL active-duty officers in pay grades O-3 through O-5, in designators 111X (Surface Warfare), 112X (Submarine Warfare), 113X (Special Warfare/SEAL), 114X (Special Operations), and 13XX (Naval Aviator/Naval Flight Officer). 3. Who can apply? Officers with demonstrated su-

NASP hosts Lombardi Trophy Story, photo by Greg Mitchell NAS Pensacola Public Affairs

Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola service members, civilian employees and other Department of Defense (DoD) employees had the opportunity to witness the unveiling of a replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a Salute to Service Tour event held on the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Portside Lawn June 25. Named in honor of late National Football League (NFL) head coach Vince Lombardi, who led the Green Bay Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowls, the trophy is awarded each year to the winner of the Super Bowl. Along with viewing the trophy, those in attendance had the opportunity to participate in four performance-measuring mechanisms: throwing, catch-

perior performance and upward career mobility who are transferring or have recently reported to shore duty to allow sufficient time for completion of a graduate program. 4. GEV applicants select an accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education, choose a graduate degree program, and choose a specific course of study meeting their community’s subspecialty requirements. 5. Update your e-mail in MyNavy Education to alert you to notifications about the most up-to-date information on GEV program announcements, eligibility See GEV on page 2

Navy College Program marks success with expanded virtual tools, customer service From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

(Left to right) Marine Pfc. Chris Howard-Pitney, Pfc. Daniel Salas, MA3 James Henningsen and Chris Glennon, volunteer and retired U.S. Navy Force Master Chief, take a group photo with a replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy during an NFL Salute to Service Tour event held aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola June 25.

ing, kicking and the tread sled, which is used by offensive linemen to gauge their power off stance to initial blocking force. “During the course of this interactive NFL experience, we hope that service members and

their families gain an appreciation for what we are doing for them,” Joel Wood, Salute to Service Pro Day tour manager said. “This takes a load off of See Lombardi on page 2

Celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, the Navy College Program (NCP) is having a banner year after receiving several nationally recognized awards for customer service and expanded virtual tools. The Navy College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC) program was nationally recognized with the Live Help Now Challenge Award. This award is given to the top customer service providers in the world, measured by Live Help Now’s customer service metric score. Additionally, NCVEC received a Net Promotor Score (NPS) of 84; a score of 70 or more is in the “World Class” category. More than two-thirds of Fortune 1000 companies use NPS as a standard metric. Much of the Navy College Program’s customer service accomplishments has been due to the virtual tools for Voluntary Education (VOLED), aimed at providing an easy and intuitive experience for the Sailor. “The approach we used was to simply make the entire tuition See Navy College on page 2

Published by Ballinger Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy. Opinions contained herein are not official expressions of the Department of the Navy nor do the advertisements constitute Department of the Navy, NAS Pensacola or Ballinger Publishing’s endorsement of products or services advertised.


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