Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Air Traffic Controllers Put to the Test for Hurricane EvacuationAir Traffic Controllers Put to the Test for Hurricane Evacuation
                        
                        
                        Senior Airman Jordan Futch, 2nd Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, watches an aircraft tracker in preparation for a plane landing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 8, 2017. Air traffic controllers typically speak to 10-30 planes a day, however during the evacuations caused by Hurricane Irma, they coordinated with more than 70 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sydney Campbell)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Air Traffic Controllers Put to the Test for Hurricane EvacuationAir Traffic Controllers Put to the Test for Hurricane Evacuation
                        
                        
                        Airman 1st Class Tristin Kessamann, 2nd Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, watches for aircraft out of the tower’s cab at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 8, 2017. Air traffic controllers experienced an increase in normal work load Sept. 8, 2017, as multiple aircraft evacuated due to Hurricane Irma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sydney Campbell)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Air Traffic Controllers Put to the Test for Hurricane EvacuationAir Traffic Controllers Put to the Test for Hurricane Evacuation
                        
                        
                        Senior Airman Carlos Griffin, 2nd Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, organizes aircraft as they prepare to land on the flight line at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 8, 2017. All levels of the air traffic control tower work together to keep aircraft safe on the ground, and in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sydney Campbell)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Air traffic controllers put to test during hurricane evacuationPublished Sept. 13, 2017
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Sydney Campbell
                    
                    
                    2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
            **BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) --**Barksdale Air Force Base welcomed over 70 aircraft, and more than 180 personnel, Sept. 8-10, 2017, as a result of Hurricane Irma.
Bases along the East Coast in the hurricane’s projected path took proactive measures by evacuating their aircraft to Barksdale AFB, staying ahead of the storm.
Airmen from the 2nd Operations Support Squadron air traffic control flight coordinated more than 93 aircraft arriving to Barksdale AFB, a 200 percent increase from normal day-to-day operations.
“No matter how many planes come through our radar, we put out the same amount of effort and teamwork,” said Senior Airman Eric Mason, 2nd OSS air traffic controller. “During the hurricane evacuation, we were performing our job just like any other day, just with more stress.”
While Air Force bases along Hurricane Irma’s path got stormed on, Barksdale AFB offered a safe harbor from the storm.
“It is an honor to look out of the tower’s cab and see all our guests here on the flight line,” Mason said. “Barksdale (AFB) is a safe haven for them.”
For Mason, it was just another day on the job, for others it was a time to push through and succeed.
Focused on her radio, Senior Airman Jordan Futch, 2nd OSS air traffic controller, effortlessly coordinated with approaching aircraft.
"I know my job is crucial to an everyday mission,” said Futch. “I help make sure our pilots come home safely to their families. Dealing with the hurricane evacuation, I can see just how imperative it is to make sure these planes have someone to talk to on the ground.”
Teamwork is crucial when dealing with pressure during big missions, such as the hurricane evacuation.
“We all work together really well. Our team dynamic helps get the mission done,” Futch said.
With the help of Barksdale AFB’s air traffic controllers, the hurricane evacuation was deemed a success. Air traffic controllers provided the strength and teamwork it takes to navigate military aircraft down to safety, before sending the planes and crews back home.Barksdale AFB 



2nd Bomb Wing 



Global Strike Command 



ATC 



air traffic control 



AFGSC 



evacuation 



2nd OSS 



hurricane irma Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander emphasizes five focus areas during AFA Warfare Symposium
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil