RAPCON: Airfield Operators Keep Control

Staff Sgt. Valerie Ashlock, 8th Operations Support Squadron Radar Approach Control watch supervisor, controls the airfield while in MOPP gear during exercise Vigilant Defense 24 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 1, 2023. RAPCON controllers trained dawning MOPP gear, which includes a voice admitted to ensure clear and concise air traffic procedures, enabling them to effectively control aircraft within a contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jovan Banks)

RAPCON: Airfield Operators Keep Control

Staff Sgt. Valerie Ashlock, right, 8th Operations Support Squadron Radar Approach Control watch supervisor, and Senior Airman Adam Emmons, 8th Operations Support Squadron RAPCON specialist, check airfield radars during Vigilant Defense 24 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 1, 2023. RAPCON controllers direct aircraft on the best route of flight to and from the military operating areas while also factoring in weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jovan Banks)

RAPCON: Airfield Operators Keep Control

Staff Sgt. Valerie Ashlock, 8th Operations Support Squadron Radar Approach Control watch supervisor, checks airfield radars during Vigilant Defense 24 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 1, 2023. RAPCON controllers trained dawning MOPP gear, which includes a voice admitted to ensure clear and concise air traffic procedures, enabling them to effectively control aircraft within a contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jovan Banks)

RAPCON: Airfield Operators Keep Control

Airmen from the 8th Operations Support Squadron don their mission-oriented protective posture gear during operations as part of exercise Vigilant Defense 24 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 1, 2023. Radar Approach Control controllers trained dawning MOPP gear, which includes a voice admitted to ensure clear and concise air traffic procedures, enabling them to effectively control aircraft within a contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jovan Banks)

RAPCON: Airfield Operators Keep Control

Senior Airman Adam Emmons, 8th Operations Support Squadron Radar Approach Control specialist, uses specialized communication tools while wearing mission-oriented protective posture gear during Vigilant Defense 24 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 1, 2023. RAPCON controllers direct aircraft on the best route of flight to and from the military operating areas while also factoring in weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jovan Banks)

RAPCON: Airfield Operators Keep Control

Master Sgt. Jeremy Williams, 8th Operations Support Squadron Assistant Chief Controller, checks the conditions and status of the runway during Vigilant Defense 24 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 1, 2023. Radar Approach Control controllers are responsible for providing safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic for military and civilian aircraft transiting through air space. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jovan Banks)

RAPCON: Airfield operators keep control

Published Nov. 2, 2023
By Staff Sgt. Jovan Banks
8th Fighter WIng Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

8th Operation Support Squadron radar approach control personnel tested their ability to provide safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic despite contested environments during 7th Air Force’s Vigilant Defense 24 Combined Flying Training Exercise, Nov. 1.

During Vigilant Defense, more than 25 various types of fighter, cargo, tanker, and reconnaissance aircraft from the U.S., ROK, and Royal Australian air forces are conducting flight operations in the military operating areas above the ROK. 8th OSS air traffic controllers from RAPCON were there to assist in managing the increase in flight operations conducted in ROK MOAs and enabled 8th Fighter Wing F-16s to hone their “Take the Fight North” capabilities by directing their movements to coordinates within the Vigilant Defense scenario.