Regional Center
The Kabul Air Control Center officially opened July 12th with a
ceremony presided over by the second vice president of
Afghanistan.
"The formal opening of the Kabul Air Control Center symbolizes
the success of the people of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Transport
and coalition forces," said Brig. Gen. Allen G. Peck, deputy
Combined Forces Air Component commander.
Air routes over Afghanistan are the shortest distances between
Asia and Europe. The high-level airspace handles commercial
civilian and cargo aircraft flying over the country, and low-level
airspace services a mixture of civil and military aircraft flying
within the country.
The Kabul center took the reigns of the high-altitude structure
May 15th and the low-level July 11th. To date, Afghanistan has
handled 10,104 and 562 aircraft in these high- and low-altitude
structures respectively. Each flight generates hundreds of dollars
of revenue to improve infrastructure and promote the establishment
of a comprehensive aviation structure for Afghanistan.
The installation of an instrument landing system in Kabul
provided Afghans with the capability for an all-weather
international airport in their capital city.
This progress began in 2003 when the combined forces air
component commander approved the use of the Air Force contract
augmentation program to outsource four terminal air traffic control
locations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, ensuring the
safety of coalition aircraft and providing positive control of all
air traffic in Afghanistan.
Under this contract, former Federal Aviation Administration
officials advised Afghan civil employees in controlling some of the
world's most congested airspace.
As start-up successes became evident, the Air Force began to
develop and operate a nonradar air traffic control system in
Afghanistan, providing for both instrument and visual flight rule
services to Kabul and throughout the country.
"The coalition maintains a commitment to support this
achievement and all goals ensuring the speedy and effective
transition of airspace control to the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan," General Peck said.
Air Force contractors will continue to serve in an advisory
capacity to help manage civil and military flights.
"This achievement offers significant potential for the people of
Afghanistan to revitalize their military and commercial
infrastructure in the 21st century, reaping the benefits of today's
globalized world trade," said General Peck.
"Afghanistan once again has the opportunity to reclaim its
unique stature as a regional leader and global diplomatic force by
rebuilding a strong civil society fortified by modern
infrastructure," said the general. (Thanks to Staff Sgt. Chyenne A.
Griffin)