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Taking off or landing, they do it all

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  "I see you've approached, now let's see your departure" is a sign that can be seen in the office of Col. Bill Malec, Air Mobility Command headquarters Air, Space and Information Operations airspace and airfield operations division directorate chief. 

Although Colonel Malec only works with 13 other Air Traffic Control Terminal Instrument Procedures specialists located both at Scott and MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., the benefits of their work are seen globally. 

Recently, the AMC Terminal Instrument Procedures branch, or TERPS, was selected for the Earl F. Ward Memorial Award by the Air Traffic Control Association. This international award is presented to a group for an outstanding achievement during the previous year, which has added to the quality, safety or efficiency of air traffic control. 

"TERPS is not a very glamorous job, but it's very critical," said Colonel Malec. "Every 90 seconds an AMC aircraft lands or departs and the approach and departure procedures require a review." 

The TERPS branch, composed of military and civilian employees with more than 200 combined years of air traffic control experience, is responsible for managing all foreign instrument procedure requirements for the White House, 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, 89th Airlift Wing and other Mobility Air Force missions.

The importance of TERPS and Foreign TERPS became evident after April 3, 1996, when Honorable Ron Brown, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and 30 others crashed into the side of a mountain in Croatia. The cause of the accident was attributed to three faults: pilot error, second-rate navigational equipment and improper approach procedure. 

Since 1996, the U.S. Air Force has reviewed over 75,000 approach and departure procedures. TERPS is also responsible for major command guidance for instrument procedure development, base-level TERPS program management, airfield obstacle databases, waivers to TERPS criteria with the air staff, bare-base airfield surveying, mobile air traffic control system installation and contingency/exercise instrument procedure developments. The information is used for 12 AMC locations, Central and South America and the Caribbean. MAJCOMs include AMC, Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Force and U.S. Air Force Europe. 

"We work 24/7. There is always someone on duty in case of a short notice mission," said Matthew Rush, AMC HQ TERPS branch chief, who has more than 28 years of air traffic control experience. "This is the most effective team that I have ever worked with, and I have worked with some great people during my career. It was a collective effort." 

"I am very proud to serve with these warriors," added Colonel Malec. 

An example of the TERPS branch at work occurred during an overseas Presidential support mission. In less than a week, 75 foreign instrument approach and departure procedures at eight airfields were reviewed. Deviations were identified in 20 percent of procedures and alternative were created to provide a safe landing. 

"Working with less developed countries is the hardest, because their information is not the same standard as ours" said Mr. Rush. 

The TERPS branch uses the Global Decision Support System or Giant Report, a website where approach and departure procedure information can be posted real time and are valid for up to seven days. This allows instant access to airfield information and approach and departure procedures for all U.S. Air Force aircrews. 

To further the TERPS branch's success they are working on a centralized Foreign TERPS cell that will be located at Scott to serve the entire Air Force. 

"It will be a more efficient, one-stop shop," said Colonel Malec. 

In addition to the hard work done in the shop, the TERPS branch goes above the call of duty to volunteer. 

"We are very active in Meals on Wheels, the Combined Federal Campaign and we raised about $6,200 to help pay the medical bills of a friend who fell and is suffering from a brain injury," said Mr. Rush. 

Earl F. Ward was a pioneer airmail and airline pilot who recognized the need for aircraft separation as air traffic increased. As a pilot for American Airlines, he saw the need to have America's radio operators exchange traffic information between all American Airline flights in and out of Chicago. He implemented mandatory procedures and routes assigned by the adherence to altitudes and routes assigned by a central control group. 

ATCA began in Wash. D.C., in 1956 by air traffic controllers interested in the progress in the science of air traffic control and the preservation of a safe-flight environment. 

The TERPS branch will be officially recognized at the ATCA Annual Awards Luncheon Nov. 4.