Letter to Michael Huerta, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration - Keep Airport Tower Available for 180th Fighter Wing

Letter

The Honorable Michael P. Huerta
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

Dear Administrator Huerta:

We appreciate the Federal Aviation Administration's efforts to move forward with a strategy to implement NextGen. Modernizing our National Airspace System should be a top priority and is critical for both safety and efficiency of future air travel. However, we are writing to you to express our concern about the FAA's proposal to relocate the Toledo Express Airport's Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) and would like to highlight the potential impact it could have on national security.

As you are aware, the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing is stationed at the Toledo Express Airport and relies on the airport's tower and TRACON to rapidly, safely, and successfully carry its Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) mission. The 180 FW's ACA mission provides critical protection of the homeland in the event of a national security event such as those experienced on September 11, 2001.

We are concerned that relocation of the Toledo Express TRACON could negatively impact the ability of the 180 FW to carry out its vital mission in two major ways:

1. Controller experience and familiarization with the processes and procedures for launching ACA F-16 aircraft is imperative to mission success. The ACA mission requires extremely tight timelines for takeoff and radar release clearances, and the 180th conducts practice alert scrambles twice a week to ensure the success of future missions. Should the TRACON relocation occur, experienced Toledo controllers would share the ACA mission with an increased number of new controllers who presumably have little-to-no familiarity with the mission. Additionally, the bi-weekly practice alert scrambles would be shared by this larger group of controllers, meaning that each controller would have fewer opportunities to practice the vital mission.

2. Communication is essential for ensuring the success of critical defense missions. The strong face-to-face communication between the 180 FW and Toledo Air Traffic Control has contributed to the success of the ACA mission and a perfect safety record controlling and integrating fighters with other civilian traffic. Geographic limitations will obviously complicate this important face-to-face communication.

Keeping the TRACON at the Toledo Express Airport is essential to the continued success of the 180 FW. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and we hope you strongly consider these facts when making future decisions. We look forward to your response.