Military ATC Facilities

Nodak Rookie Valdosta, GA

I was just wondering how some of the other facilities in the AF are.

I've been stationed at Grand Forks AFB and the traffic was pretty good due to University of North Dakota flying program. Spent some time in Iraq at Ali (Talil AB) and it was alright mostly overflight traffic. I'm at Moody now and the traffic is garbage...don't think I've seen more than 2 aircraft sequenced at one time.

Let me know, on the rocks about staying in but if I do I would like to go somewhere with some good traffic.

KillaMike Junior Member

I was at CBM rapcon and we had great traffic due to pilot training. nice mix of t38s, texan II, and t1s. also plenty of satellite airports. we had most traffic in the AF in 2004. only downside is that it's 1 1/2 hr drive to birmingham, al and 2 hour drive to memphis. the gulf coast is about a 3 hour drive away. basically it's BFE. CBM has a new rapcon with STARS and a new tower. radar there is fun but i hear that tower can be kinda slow due to RSUs controlling the vfr pattern for the t38s and t6s. if you like rural USA, then you'll love Columbus, MS.

Jefferyd Junior Member So. Cali

Eglin AFB, FL and Nellis AFB, NV are probably still the best military bases to go to, in regards to best traffic. Edwards AFB, CA used to be humpin as well, but due to budgeting, the traffic has went down alot. But with all the lakebed runways, and multiple patterns the aircraft fly, makes for a good workout!

polo708 Epic Member tower

the USAF is hit or miss... they have plenty of busy bases and plenty of very slow bases. I was at Aviano AB in Italy. Pretty busy fighter base but when a fighter squadron deployed it was sooooo slow. One month we'd be busy the next month we'd be slow. You never knew what to expect there.

Radium Epic Member SoCal Tracon

Got_Busa Junior Member Houston TX

It's hit or miss. You need to decide if you want to control the rest of your career or ride a desk. With the way manning is now you are headed for a desk as a SSgt and almost guaranteed it as a TSgt or above. Things have changed a lot. There are great bases that you will love and have a blast at but many other bases with a lot of BS that you will HATE! The BS and family needs override everything else so getting out was the better option for me.

What are your goals and needs...?

polo708 Epic Member tower

most facilities are going to DOD contractors so the number of active duty controllers will start to decrease

Got_Busa Junior Member Houston TX

True but you still need deployment coverage/rotation and I just don't see DOD filling that slot...

polo708 Epic Member tower

thats what active duty controllers are for... get ready for an Army-like deployment schedule.

Tarheel Newcomer

What's up BZ? its' dw form Aviano. Congrats on your new job. You'll do fine with it, sorry u have to go to OKC..... It was very basic, take some redbull with you..

On topic, my good friend is a dod controller at edw and they are trying to get 2152's to start taking some deployments. They get paid some crazy amount because even off duty time is considered overtime. They get paid for something like 12 hours a day, everyday. My friend said he would make 50k just on overtime for a 6 month deployment. We'll see if they actually do it or if its just bs.