MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, a 200-foot tower filled with Marines controls every aircraft and essentially manages the mission of the station.
The Marines who work in this tower are air traffic controllers. Controllers manage the air space and runways here at Iwakuni, keeping everything moving quickly and safely.
“The primary purpose of ATC hasn’t changed over the years,” said Cpl. Robert M. Williams, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron tower watch supervisor. “It’s still to separate aircraft, prevent collisions and expedite the flow of traffic as well as to give other information as necessary.”
Air traffic controllers manage the flow of traffic for aircraft on the ground and in the air, including Japanese aircraft and sea-lanes. Air traffic controllers support all flights aboard station, including a wide variety of aircraft and pilots.
The biggest challenge is the language barrier.
The controllers conduct operations in English, a second language for most Japanese pilots. “They understand all of the nomenclature,” said Staff Sgt. Xavier W. Wethington, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron air traffic controller. “But it forces the conversation to be less personal and more by the book.”
Pilots and controllers have strange relationships. Pilots must put their lives in the controllers’ hands, while only speaking short-term commands back and forth.
“Over the radio, there is a strong trust between controllers and pilots,” said Wethington. “When weather goes bad, all these pilots go by is that voice in the box.”
During inclement weather, air traffic controllers use modern technology to give pilots directions, but assert they can function even without it.
“If our equipment was to go out, we would just revert back to the basics,” said Wethington. “Some of our luxuries would go away, but basic air traffic controlling doesn’t change.”
All controllers are trained in backup systems and to visually spot aircraft as it was done in days gone by.
“Even with all this great technology, you will never get rid of a Marine,”
said Wethington.
Despite pilots using the most advanced technology and advanced training, they ultimately rely on their eyes on the ground, the air traffic controllers, to have a safe and successful flight.