Airfield Operations: The heart of an air base

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The heart of any Air Force base is its airfield - the hub around which the coming and going of aircraft is made possible. That, says Randy Jackson, Airfield Operations manager, is why his 16-member team operates at such a high level every day. When a small scrap of tin on the runway, a chunk of loose concrete on the flightline or even a stray raccoon can mean the difference between a successful takeoff and an aircraft disaster, you can't afford to let your guard down, Jackson said. There are many elements to the job of managing the airfield, including maintaining painted demarcation and traffic lines, supervising construction projects, and maintaining lights. But whether it's managing operations during disasters such as hurricanes, or mowing the grass around the airfield, pride and professionalism rule. That was recognized in 2008 and 2009, when the unit was named the top Airfield Operations unit in Air Mobility Command. One of the biggest tasks is keeping pilots and crews informed of airfield conditions. Knowing whether the surface is wet, if there are closed sections and construction areas, or if flocks of birds are in the area, is essential information for pilots taking off and landing at MacDill. While anything from a stray tortoise to fast food carton poses a threat to a jet on the airfield, perhaps nothing worries the members of the Airfield Operations team as much as loose bits of concrete that can work lose from the surface of the airfield and runway. Should the powerful engines of a KC-135 Stratotanker or other aircraft suck up a chunk of the material, the result would be catastrophic, said Jackson. "It's one of our biggest fears, and one of the things we stay vigilant about," he said. "Our people are always looking for it." When discovered, loose material is removed and the spot patched. It's an ongoing job, as there is a lot of concrete in the three million square feet of airfield at MacDill. Another concern is voids under the concrete surface that could cause a collapse under weight. Over the past 12 years, Jackson and his crew have been working to discover such voids and sinkholes using ground-penetrating radar. The work also revealed old drain pipes that were deteriorating, and could collapse under weight. They were replaced with new pipe, ensuring the ground beneath the airfield doesn't give way under the massive weight of planes. Another important job of Airfield Operations is to remove residual rubber from the runway. Planes touching down lay down strips of rubber when landing and braking, the buildup eventually reaching a point where the surface can become slick, especially when wet. The job is undertaken every six months. Another important job is preparation and managing the airfield for MacDill AirFest. Work begins two months ahead of the event to prepare the field, layout display areas, define boundaries and receive and marshal the many aircraft arriving for the show. It's one of the most intense periods of activity in the unit, which works virtually around the clock during the show to ensure a successful event. Additional duties include coordinating with the other units that share the Airfield at MacDill. NOAA, the 310th Airlift Squadron, the 91st Air Refueling Squadron and working with the Transient Alert crew that services visiting planes. It's a lot to keep up with, but Jackson said his team works hard. "We've got a really good team here," he said. "Everyone understands the importance of the job."