Wednesday, February 20, 2013

17 Jan 13 - Annual Leave

Question: Can employees take annual leave in 15 min increments?

Answer: Yes, employees can take annual leave in 15 minute increments based on the bargaining agreement. 

17 Jan 13 - Traffic Stops

Question: Why does DES ask for your SSN during a routine traffic stop?

Answer: The use of SSNs on CBVs is contained in federal law.  The back envelope flap on the CBV reads: Privacy Act Disclosure Statement Furnishing your social security number (SSN) on this notice is mandatory under the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 31 U.S.C. § 7701(c). Your SSN may be used to facilitate collection of forfeited collateral or any adjudicated fines and penalties, and may be disclosed to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service for this purpose. Your SSN may also be disclosed to other federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies in connection with other possible violations of law.

17 Jan 13 - Additional accessto tower on HAAF

Question: What can be done to provide additional access to the tower?

Answer: There is a draft project to connect the tower to perimeter road just south of the Belmont Cemetery.  The project is estimated to be over $1M.  This will be an MCA project.  We are working to move this forward as a formal project and compete for prioritization with a focus on the out years as part of FS/HAAF 2020- 2030.

17 Jan 13 - Increase safety for runners on HAAF

Question: What can be done to increase safety in reference to runners on at the Intersection of Stephen Douglas and Lightning Road?

Answer: The cross walk markings were verified.  A flashing cross walk sign was installed for traffic accessing Lighting Road from Stephenson for better SA for both runners and drivers.

17 Jan 13 - ATC Specialists

Question: Are other installations doing this?

Answer: Not aware of any major installation which uses Base Ops air traffic assistants (GS-2154)to perform AIC functions. IMCOM AICs are all staffed with properly qualified GS-2152 ATC Specialists.

17 Jan 13 - FAA Rules & Practices

Comment: FAA Rules and Practices

Answer: All FAA rules (and DA regs) are being followed for qualification, certification, and proficiency of assigned GS-2152 ATC Specialists. The FAA does not allow GS-2154 Air Traffic Assistants to perform ATC functions. They assist qualified air traffic controllers who work the aircraft and provide aircraft separation services. The FAA does not have AICs such as Marne Radio which provides point-to-point radar flight following and hazardous range advisories in high density Special Use Airspace (SUA.) The FAA does have Regional Flight Service Stations (FSS) that employ GS-2152 Air Traffic Control Specialists (Station) that provide, flight planning, weather information, relay of ATC Clearances, and limited flight following within the NAS.

17 Jan 13 - ATC Best Business Practice

Comment: ATC Best Business Practice

Answer: The best business practices are currently being followed by employing properly qualified, certified, and classified GS-2152 ATC Specialists (Terminal) to perform AIC and CTO functions IAW US Army and FAA directives.  The ATC positions at Wright AAF are dual-rated and perform Tower and AIC functions that are properly classified at the GS-11 level.

17 Jan 13 - GS Level for ATC Specialists

Question: Bump to GS8 and GS9.

Answer: The median grade for Air Traffic Assistants across IMCOM the large Airfields is GS-8. Others are lower grades (GS-6 or 7). There is only one location where Base Ops operators are GS-9 Air Traffic Control Specialists (Fort Benning, GA). Fort Benning has been written up during IMCOM Quality Assurance Evaluations for improper classification of these positions.

17 Jan 13 - WAAF/Marne Radio

Question: WAAF/ Marne Radio at FS but not at HAAF.

Answer: AICs are established to provide flight following and airspace management in high activity cantonment areas, training areas, and ranges. Marne Radio provides AIC service for Fort Stewart R3005 which is Special Use Airspace (SUA) located in a complex area of the National Airspace System (NAS). This includes monitoring high density IFR and VFR flight activities around Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Hunter AAF, Wright AAF/MidCoast Regional Airport, the Fort Stewart Military Operations Areas (MOAS), the Coastal MOAs, and R3007 Townsend Bombing Range. There are over 200 ranges on Fort Stewart, multiple tactical airfields and drop zones, and 279K acres of training area. Air traffic operations includes all types of helicopters, tactical fighters, and Unmanned aircraft systems. Marne Radio air traffic controllers must possess a high level of ATC skills to include a thorough understanding of radar, STARS automation functions, communications and data functions, IFR, VFR, and adjacent NAS. Hunter AAFs airspace is controlled by Hunter Tower ATC Specialists who provide Control Tower Operator services within the Class D airspace and air traffic advisory services within the HAAF cantonment area similar to Marne Radio AIC.

17 Jan 13 - HAAF CTO Traning

Question: Can folks be CTO certified w/ 3 months of training?

Answer: Control Tower Operator (CTO) certificate ratings are for Control Tower positions not Airspace Information Center (AIC) ratings. AIC ratings are issued on an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) Certificate. Only experienced air traffic controllers would achieve a CTO rating within 3 months. An initial CTO rating requires a minimum of 6 months in training to become rated by FAA standards. IAW Army standards the AIC rating period is 4 months with additional training time extensions as required.

17 Jan 13 - HAAF Base Ops Cross Training

Question: Can we cross train personnel at base ops to do "flight following"?

Answer: No, the Current Army requirement is that AICs must be staffed by qualified air traffic controllers. Air Traffic Assistants (GS-2154) are not air traffic controllers (GS-2152). Base Ops GS-2154-8 air traffic assistants have not been screened for qualifications of ATC positions. i.e. must have completed training in a recognized ATC course of instruction (i.e. US Army or other DoD  ATC School), possess ATC Specialist Certificate (ATCS Card) with previous facility ratings, be on flight status and possess a current Class IV ATC flight physical, meet maximum age restriction of 36 for initial entry into ATC duties (or possess an age waiver to perform ATC duties), etc.