Airfield Management

Published June 23, 2014
By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Team Dover personnel conduct thousands of missions each year to locations around the world. In order for these missions to be successful, they require fully operational runways.

It is the job of the 436th Operations Support Squadron's airfield management to ensure the airfield is ready for all Team Dover's needs.

"We have a wide variety of task we deal with to provide a safe environment for aircraft to operate," said Mike Georgules, 436th OSS airfield management shift leader. "We identify problems and issues, such as grass height, runway lighting or holes in the surface area."

Simple things can lead to large problems or even death, said Georgules.

"The flight line driving program is one of the programs we monitor to ensure the people driving on the flight line are qualified," said Georgules. "The biggest things we have to watch out for is runway incursions, which is someone going on the runway or taxiway without permission from the control tower. Runway incursions can be deadly."

Navigating off the runway can be difficult for pilots as well as finding out where to taxi or which radio frequency to tune into is also challenging. Fortunately, airfield management provides a large array of information for the pilots.

"Internally, we handle the publications, charts and maps for the pilots," said Senior Airman Spencer Dougherty, airfield management coordinator. "We also file flight plans for pilots, across the Air Force, other branches, as well as other nations. Additionally, we facilitate weather and intelligence briefings for the pilots."

The pilots are airfield management's primary customers and are appreciative of the support they receive daily.

"They are always very helpful with filing flight plans and getting the classified things we need for missions," said Capt. Jay Blinn, 3d Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III pilot. "They always have a positive attitude and I think they do a great job."

For airfield management to provide the best service they have hours that work well with the pilots' schedules.

"Basically, our main thrust is making sure the airfield is in compliance with DoD, FAA and any other guidance we need to abide by," said Bruce Williams, 436th OSS airfield management airfield manager. "And our 15 or so individuals on the counter are eyes on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to ensure the airfield and its users stay on mission."