Pope airfield management 'a benchmark' for command

by Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Moody
440th Airlift Wing, Public Affairs

5/4/2014 - POPE FIELD, N.C.  -- Air Force Reserve Command has recognized the 440th Airlift Wing's Mid-Air Collision Avoidance program as a benchmark for other command airfields.

Maj. Jimmy West, Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command airfield operations branch chief, said Pope Airfield Operations is "unlike any other." West said the airfield operations team went "above and beyond"  to engage the community, communicate operations, educate adjacent airfield and controlling agencies and that program managers should "model their programs after the 440th OSS/OSA benchmark."

MACA is a subject gaining heightened awareness among both civilian and military aviation communities. With increasing numbers of aircraft taking flight and many airports approaching gridlock, knowledge of safe air traffic and airfield operating procedures is vitally important for pilots and aircrew.

"The Pope MACA program is a proactive program to educate and inform the general aviation community on military aircraft operations around Pope Army Airfield," said Richard Holtzman, 440th Operations Support Squadron deputy airfield operations manager here. "This is accomplished through frequent visits with airport managers, pilots and students at general aviation airports within the Pope local flying area," said Holtzman, who is also a retired Air Force flight commander.

MACA programs also include sophisticated collision avoidance systems in aircraft, such as Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems and transponders in aircraft. Equally important is continual communication between flight crews, air traffic control and ground control for the safe operation of all aircraft.