Eyes to the skies for 100th OSS Airman

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  For redeployers, the first voice they may hear while flying on a military aircraft entering RAF Mildenhall airspace is an air traffic controller in the tower.

One Airman redeployers may hear is Senior Airman Andrew Kalina, 100th Operations Support Squadron Air Traffic Controller from Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

"You really feel like you make an impact," said Kalina. "When they arrive, I always enjoy welcoming them home. It's my favorite part."

His job involves ensuring aircraft and their crews are safe in the air, not only as they take off and land, but in the airspace surrounding base.

"It's my job as a tower controller to control five miles of airspace," the Illinois native explained. "We control from the ground up to [an altitude of] 3,000 feet here."

As with any team, they can't work alone to achieve their mission.

"It's our job to coordinate with the controllers at RAF Lakenheath Radar Approach Control and tower for any inbound and outbound aircraft departing from here," the air traffic controller added. "The airspace surrounding ours is controlled by RAF Lakenheath, (so) anybody coming into our airspace is handed off from them -- we work hand-in-hand."

For air traffic controllers, each base is different and presents new challenges. 

"I like that my job can be challenging. Every time you go to a new base you almost have to re-learn your job. Every facility you go to has a different airfield and airspace with new layouts and rules," Kalina said.

The role is challenging and they must learn a great deal to keep people safe in the skies.

"There is a lot of book work that comes with this job," he explained. "We abide by Federal Aviation Administration's set of rules, which are the U.S. laws. We also follow Air Force instructions, as well as the base's regulations. On top of that, we have agreements with our host nation and their controllers."

There is good reason for having so many rules in place -- safety.

"I love my job. I love how challenging and rewarding it can be. I love that it keeps you on your toes. If you become complacent in this job, then people could get hurt," he said.

Kalina has a team behind him to ensure he's equipped to deal with any situation.

"Team cohesion is huge. We always have each other's back and make sure that what we are doing is the right thing, always in a respectful manner of course," he stated. "Every day we have aircraft and their crew coming in and it's our job to expedite the flow of traffic and make sure they all land safely."

The Airman also enjoys meeting distinguished visitors.

"When you work in the tower it's a high visibility job. Whenever Col. Bibb (Col. Kenneth T. Bibb Jr., 100th Air Refueling Wing commander) wants to show visitors what we are doing on the airfield, that meeting is usually in the tower," Kalina said proudly.

Kalina is proud of his Air Force service and his homeland.

"I definitely have a lot of pride in my country. I joined the Air Force to serve my country and keep up my family's proud heritage of service," the air traffic controller said. "My family has been in the military dating back to World War I. I wanted to keep that tradition going."

He said he chose his career well when he joined, and wants to keep going in his career field.

"I wouldn't leave air traffic control as long as I have a choice," he laughed.

His leadership also hopes to keep him as a valuable member of their team.

"We are extremely lucky to have Senior Airman Kalina as part of our team and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have working in the tower with me. Kalina is a gifted air traffic controller who really knows the rules and regulations," said his supervisor, Staff Sgt. Allen Jones, 100th OSS Air Traffic Control watch supervisor from Frizzleburg, Pennsylvania. "It takes a certain kind of person to be able to separate aircraft with the precision and skill that he does. Senior Airman Kalina's positive attitude and pride for his career field are major factors in his success."