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New AMC radar system guides OEF aircraft

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OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (USTCNS) --- The skies within 100 miles this deployed location are more defined now, thanks to the recent installation of a new air traffic control radar system that adds a second precision and non-precision approach capability for aircraft here.

The 60th Air Expeditionary Group here recently deployed a AN/MPN-25 Rapid Deployable Radar System capable of providing approach control services to aircraft arriving, departing, or transiting airspace controlled by the facility here.

The mobile radar approach control unit is one of three owned by the Air Mobility Command designed to be deployed anywhere in the world where airfield services are required at forward operating locations. The system includes an Airport Surveillance Radar and a Precision Approach Radar, and a team of 11 people to operate and maintain it.

An ASR is an approach control radar used to detect and display an aircraft's position in the terminal area. It provides range and azimuth information, but does not provide elevation (altitude) data. PARs are primarily used to determine the position of an aircraft during final approach in terms of lateral and vertical deviations relative to an expected approach path. It also provides range relative to touchdown.

"The system was bought specifically for these types of missions, where aircraft deploy and require a safe means for separation and precision approaches for safe landings," said Capt. "Chris," 60th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight commander.

"This radar was set up and ready for an operational flight check in two days," said Chris. "The (Federal Aviation Administration) from Oklahoma City flew out here in a 'Hawker Siddeley' (BAe-125) jet to ops-check the radar before it could be certified. We needed FAA certification because civilian contract carriers fly in here and use our services, too."

The new ASR/PAR system allows pilots to fly approaches guided by a two-person military air traffic controller team. The approach controller vectors the aircraft to the final approach fix and the final controller picks them up and brings them on in to the runway.

"We've tracked five and six aircraft at a time in the weather around here," said Tech. Sgt. "Sean," chief controller assigned to the 60th EOSS. "With the traffic and weather here, it's apparent (the airfield has) needed this radar for awhile."

Col. "Chris," 40th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, was one of the first to experience the system's capabilities while flying a B-52 Stratofortress returning here from a mission. "It's nice and reassuring to have radar vectors coming in after a long mission," the colonel said.

Until now, the only means of precision approaches into here was through an (Instrument Landing System) approach on (one of the runways here), according to Lt. Col. "Mike," 9th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron commander and KC-10A Extender instructor pilot. (An ILS is a precision instrument approach system that provides aircraft course guidance to the approach-end of the runway.)

A VASI is visual ground lighting system at the approach end of the runway that provides a vertical reference for pilots during an approach and landing. The VASI radiates a directional pattern of high-intensity red and white light beams that lets pilots know if they are too high or low on their approach, or if they are on the proper glide path for a safe landing. VASIs are used for precision ILS and PAR approaches and non-precision visual flight rule, or VFR, Tactical Air Navigation, and ASR approaches.

The new radar system also adds a precision approach capability another runway here. Before, the runway was only rated for a non-precision approach, providing bearing and distance to an aircraft from a navigation aid called a TACAN located at the airfield.

(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

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