Airfield Management team ensures safe aircraft, support operations

Senior Airman Laura Hackman, 375th Operational Support Squadron airfield managament shift leader, stands in front of a Northrop T-38 Talon Trainer on the air field at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois on May 24, 2016. Airfield management is responsible for ensuring the safety of aircraft landing and depoarting runways by inspecting the airfield, coordinating necessary repairs and responding to airfield emergencies. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Daniel Garcia)

Airfield Management team ensures safe aircraft, support operations

Senior Airman Laura Hackman, 375th Operational Support Squadron airfield managament shift leader, radios for request to another side of the runway while a KC-135 Stratotanker lands at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois on May 24, 2016. When driving on an airfield, vehicles that need access onto the Controlled Movement Area are required to gain permission from Air Traffic Control Tower. This allows ATCT to communicate with vehicle operators to advise where they can and cannot travel to assist with aircraft traffic around and through the aerodrome. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Daniel Garcia)

Airfield Management team ensures safe aircraft, support operations

Senior Airman Laura Hackman, 375th Operational Support Squadron airfield managament shift leader, goes over the flight planning checklist in the flight planning room at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois on May 24, 2016. the FPR is where the transient aircrew can access paper or digital flight information publications, air navigation charts or relax between flights. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Daniel Garcia)

Airfield Management team ensures safe aircraft, support operations

Published June 8, 2016
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Illinois -- Members of the 375th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management team work around the clock to provide a safe, efficient and effective airfield environment for aircraft operations.

“Every successful mission begins and ends at the airfield,” said Master Sgt. Larry Furlough, 375th OSS Deputy Airfield Manager. “Aircraft delays, unsafe airfield conditions and aircraft mishaps are all detrimental results if our mission is not carried out effectively.”

For this reason, you will find 375th OSS Airfield Management Airmen tending to the airfield 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As the only service that sustains an active duty Airfield Management career field, Air Force enlisted servicemembers provide a functional capability that supports and enables a broad range of joint operations and capabilities.

“One of the most difficult aspects of this job is constantly having to differentiate between and evaluate U.S. military, FAA, NATO and international airfield criteria in order to produce a safe airfield environment,” said Furlough.

For instance, Scott AFB currently hosts the only Joint/Shared Use airfield in Air Mobility Command. Airfield managers conducts daily inspections of Scott’s military airfield and portions of Mid-America Airport which increases the required knowledge level due to both DoD and FAA criteria.

“We establish aircraft parking plans, facilitate and monitor airfield obstruction removal, coordinate on all airspace waivers and monitor the status of airfield pavements,” said Furlough. “All of these efforts are to guarantee mission success.”

Senior Airman Laura Hackman, 375th OSS Airfield Management shift lead, said she feels their mission is an important one that if not carried out successfully, could lead to assets or lives lost.

“The Air Force’s mission to fly, fight and win would be greatly compromised if aircraft are unable to safely operate on, to and from our airfields,” she explained. “We’re here to make sure aircraft and aircrews operate in the best, safest conditions possible.”