News

Police work with tower to increase efficiency, safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Members of the Delaware State Police worked with Team Dover air traffic control Airmen in an effort to establish guidelines to assist the DSPD's aviation unit in dealing with Dover Air Force Base Airspace March 15.

The meeting, which started as an informal meet-and-greet luncheon followed by a facility tour and incentive rides in DSPD Bell 407 helicopters, was the start of a much larger project to increase the synergy of the DSPD and Dover AFB's air traffic control flights.

"We hope to have these events every six months," said Master Sergeant Jason Milam, 436th Operations Support Squadron tower assistant chief controller. "We want it to be very informal and just pass ideas between the two groups while sharing thoughts on how we can better improve procedures and bring these two groups closer together."

The DSPD works with Dover AFB's tower every day during their routine, and not so routine, operations. Many times, their emergency medical airlift operations will fly over Dover AFB airspace in order to get their passenger to the hospital to receive medical care.

"Our pilots talk to Dover AFB every day," said Master Corporal Don Pope Troop 2 Bell 407 helicopter pilot. "We've always had a close relationship with Dover AFB, so we felt this was the perfect opportunity to get together and share notes, maybe add some extra value to the relationship."

During the meet-and-greet, Master Corporal Pope asked the Airmen present to look over the safety cards that the helicopter pilots use in the case of an emergency with their aircraft. He asked them to annotate on them any chances they thought might help the pilots make better use of the tower at Dover AFB during a crisis.

"Being an Emergency Medical Service helicopter pilot was the most dangerous job in the United States last year," said Master Corporal Pope. "Our goal with working with Dover AFB is to mitigate that danger, so we can do our jobs safely and effectively. We'd like to increase cooperation and coordination on a daily basis; we both serve the community as a team."