Domestic air traffic control is one thing, but military air traffic control takes it to new heights, not only in a variety of locations Australia-wide but with the opportunity to serve on missions overseas. Air Force Air Traffic Controllers have served in places such as Somalia, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Iraq and most recently Bandah Aceh.
Job Details
Officer
RAAF Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a service established to provide the safe and expeditious control of military and civil aircraft in the air and upon the ground for military and joint user (civil and military) aerodromes within Australia and overseas. RAAF Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCO) come under the command of No 44 Wing, and may be posted to any 44 Wing position within Australia, or upon exchange to our allies.
Not only is a RAAF ATCO responsible for aircraft control and airspace management in the garrison (Australian Defence Force air base) environments, but also assumes those responsibilities upon the battlefield. Consequently, a RAAF ATCO is expected to operate at short notice from established and temporary airfields anywhere within Australia and overseas. In addition to processing flying operations at airfields, ATCOs provide specialised skills in the deconfliction of artillery, aircraft and UAV operations. Consequently, ATCOs can expect to be deployed upon RAN ships, with Army Brigades and Parachute Regiments, or as part of a larger Australian Defence Force operation. Some ATCOs are selected for further tactical training.
Because of its operational tempo, 44 Wing members have received many awards and decorations. For example, a significant number of 44 Wing members were awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for their work in Baghdad. Other operational experiences have included the Sinai, Somalia, East Timor, Iraq, Solomon Islands, Banda Aceh (Indonesia) and Khartoum (Sudan). Typical overseas exercise deployments may include New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States.
Due to the nature of military operations, ATCOs are shift workers and may be posted to a Detachment which operates 24 hours a day.
Additional areas of employment are:
ATC Training Officer. An ATCO who is proficient in either the Tower or Approach environment and has attended Training Officers Course may become a Training Officer. It is the responsibility of the Training Officer to train all new graduates or newly arrived ATCOs from other ATC Detachments.
ATC Supervisor. A highly proficient ATCO employed as a Supervisor in the Tower and/or Approach environment. It is the Supervisor's responsibility to oversee flying operations in either Tower or Approach.
ATC Senior Training Officer. A Senior Training Officer is a highly proficient, suitably qualified and well reported Flight Lieutenant ATCO who is posted to a Detachment specifically to perform the duties of the Senior Training Officer. This officer is responsible for ATC theory training, training administration and the management of Training Officers within the Detachment.
ATC Instructor. An ATC Instructor is an experienced and well reported controller who is posted to the School of Air Traffic Control to carry out instructional duties.
Operations and Training Flight Commanders. Operations and Training Flight Commanders at each Detachment are responsible for supervising the daily function of ATC services and the training and proficiency assessment of ATC personnel.
Detachment Commander (Senior Air Traffic Control Officer). The Detachment Commander is the manager and co-ordinating authority for the overall control of all air traffic operating within a RAAF area of responsibility. The Detachment Commander not only manages the ATCOs but is also responsible for the technical workforce that maintains the air traffic control equipment.
ATC Staff Officer. There are a number of staff positions available in Canberra, Glenbrook, Williamtown or Melbourne where an ATCO can be responsible for the airspace management, tactical deployment, administration, long-term planning and policy development for the ATC specialisation.
Australian Defence Force Academy
Not only is a RAAF ATCO responsible for aircraft control and airspace management in the garrison (Australian Defence Force air base) environments, but also assumes those responsibilities upon the battlefield. Consequently, a RAAF ATCO is expected to operate at short notice from established and temporary airfields anywhere within Australia and overseas. In addition to processing flying operations at airfields, ATCOs provide specialised skills in the deconfliction of artillery, aircraft and UAV operations. Consequently, ATCOs can expect to be deployed upon RAN ships, with Army Brigades and Parachute Regiments, or as part of a larger Australian Defence Force operation. Some ATCOs are selected for further tactical training.
Because of its operational tempo, 44 Wing members have received many awards and decorations. For example, a significant number of 44 Wing members were awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for their work in Baghdad. Other operational experiences have included the Sinai, Somalia, East Timor, Iraq, Solomon Islands, Banda Aceh (Indonesia) and Khartoum (Sudan). Typical overseas exercise deployments may include New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States.
Due to the nature of military operations, ATCOs are shift workers and may be posted to a Detachment which operates 24 hours a day.
Additional areas of employment are:
ATC Training Officer. An ATCO who is proficient in either the Tower or Approach environment and has attended Training Officers Course may become a Training Officer. It is the responsibility of the Training Officer to train all new graduates or newly arrived ATCOs from other ATC Detachments.
ATC Supervisor. A highly proficient ATCO employed as a Supervisor in the Tower and/or Approach environment. It is the Supervisor's responsibility to oversee flying operations in either Tower or Approach.
ATC Senior Training Officer. A Senior Training Officer is a highly proficient, suitably qualified and well reported Flight Lieutenant ATCO who is posted to a Detachment specifically to perform the duties of the Senior Training Officer. This officer is responsible for ATC theory training, training administration and the management of Training Officers within the Detachment.
ATC Instructor. An ATC Instructor is an experienced and well reported controller who is posted to the School of Air Traffic Control to carry out instructional duties.
Operations and Training Flight Commanders. Operations and Training Flight Commanders at each Detachment are responsible for supervising the daily function of ATC services and the training and proficiency assessment of ATC personnel.
Detachment Commander (Senior Air Traffic Control Officer). The Detachment Commander is the manager and co-ordinating authority for the overall control of all air traffic operating within a RAAF area of responsibility. The Detachment Commander not only manages the ATCOs but is also responsible for the technical workforce that maintains the air traffic control equipment.
ATC Staff Officer. There are a number of staff positions available in Canberra, Glenbrook, Williamtown or Melbourne where an ATCO can be responsible for the airspace management, tactical deployment, administration, long-term planning and policy development for the ATC specialisation.
