Airfield compliance tested during AOCI

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Inspectors from Air Combat Command and the Air Force Flight Standards Agency conducted an Airfield Operations Compliance Inspection, or AOCI, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., April 20-27.

When it comes to airfield operations, the AOCI is one of the most important inspections for the wing, said Senior Master Sgt. Rodney Wilson, 49th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control chief.

"Basically it's a spot check that occurs once every two years to make sure all of the rules and regulations of the airfield environment are still being applied," he said. "They inspect all operations of the airfield from the (49th Communications Squadron) support of the airfield, the (49th Civil Engineer Squadron) support of the airfield, air traffic control, and airfield management operations. It's done to ensure the airfield environment is safe of any hazards and to make sure we are providing a safe flying and airfield environment to our customers - the aircraft flying in and out."

For the inspection, members of the AOCI team observed operations first-hand at the White Sands Radar facility, which provides the radar approach control for Holloman AFB, the air traffic control tower, the airfield management section and the airfield itself.

"They looked at (49th CS) for the air traffic control landing systems, or ATCALS, the instrument landing systems for our runways, the radar system, the normal preventive maintenance schedules of the systems, and the airfield's infrastructure," Wilson said. "They also observed the tower to make sure we're following all the rules and regulations we're bound by. One other piece that they're looking at is automation, which is how are we using the digital maps - the tower simulation system that we use to train our controllers."

Because of the importance of the inspection, every Airman involved worked twice as hard to prepare, said Wilson.

"If we don't pass this inspection, they'll be back in a year for another inspection to reevaluate our entire operation, and depending on the severity of the discrepancies, our airfield can be shut down," he said. "Our Airmen did a great job of getting ready for and performing during the inspection. I just really want to thank them because it was truly their efforts, not leadership's, but the Airmen themselves, that got us ready."

Because of their preparation, the wing had 562 satisfactory to outstanding inspected items out of 620 total evaluated items.

"You have an excellent, first-rate program here," said Maj. D. Scott Harris, AOCI team chief, during the AOCI out brief. "You provide outstanding service to all users in a unique and demanding airspace. It's the clear directions and effective tools that are the keys to the program's success. The support given to the flying community is managed, organized and executed by very passionate individuals."

Holloman AFB's success during the AOCI is due to the entire wing's preparations, not just units in the 49th Operations Group, or 49th Mission Support Group, said Col. Kenneth Johnson, 49th OG commander.

"It was the entire wing's performance that made this possible," he said. "I'm very proud of the wing and what we've done to prepare for the AOCI, however, it wasn't just for the AOCI, it's the daily operations that I'm proud of. The professionals that we have here at Holloman Air Force Base come through time- and-time again to get the job done right."