Maxwell AFB lands $18 million for new air traffic control tower
Montgomery-based Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base will receive $18 million from the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2019 military construction account for a new air traffic control tower. Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby made the announcement Wednesday. “Updating the Air Traffic Control Tower at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base is long overdue. I have personally climbed up the antiquated tower and can attest to how dangerous it is and how badly it needs to be replaced,” Roby said in a statement. “I am very pleased that this issue is being addressed through the recently passed military funding bill, and I look forward to seeing this improvement become reality as Maxwell continues to support the needs of the Air Force in the River Region, including the 187th Fighter Wing’s missions.” Maxwell’s existing Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) was constructed in 1955 and is one of the oldest active ATCT in Air Force inventory and fails to meet current mission requirements. “This needed upgrade will increase the base’s functionality by improving the structural conditions and enhancing the safety and visibility of all operations,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby. “Without the replacement tower, the current facility’s health and safety issues could result in ground accidents and costly damage or loss of assets. Maxwell AFB is the second busiest distinguished visitor base in the Defense Department. Controllers in the current tower do not have 100 percent visual contact of all aircraft landing surfaces or ground controlled movement areas due to obstructed views. Further, the facility does not have an elevator and therefore does not meet National Fire Protection Association line safety code. It also has numerous additional health and safety issues resulting from the tower’s age and deterioration. “This allocation is more than a construction project – this signifies that the Air Force and our congressional delegation recognizes and supports the long-term national significance of Montgomery’s military installations, international students, thought leadership, cyber defense and business systems it supplies to the Air Force,” added Montomgery Mayor Todd Strange. The construction is expected to begin June 2019 and conclude December 2020.
Maxwell AFB reserve unit dedicates C-130 aircraft to Troy University
Maxwell Air Force Base’s 908th Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command, celebrated the “Trojan Warrior Spirit” on Tuesday when they unveiled a C-130 Hercules airplane with Troy University “nose art.” The artwork was revealed during a ceremony at Troy’s Municipal Airport Tuesday that designated the plane “The Trojan Warrior Spirit.” “We’e got several of our C-130’s that are dedicated to state universities. We’ve got one from the university of Alabama, one from Auburn University, and now we’ve got Troy University added to the mix,” explained Colonel Don Richey of Maxwell Air Force Base during the ceremony according to the Alabama News Network. “This is one of the most famous and venerable aircraft in the storied history of the Air Force,” said retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Walter Givhan, Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Economic Development and a former command pilot according to Troy Today. “We are certainly honored to have this aircraft at Troy Municipal Airport on the ramp with the opportunity to dedicate it as the Trojan Warrior Spirit.” According to the U.S. Air Force, the C-130 is workhorse of the Air Force combat airlift fleet and the C-130 Hercules has been in service for more than half a century. Designed specifically to transport troops and equipment in the combat zone via airdrop or short runways, the Hercules operates throughout the U.S. Air Force fulfilling a wide range of operational missions in both peace and war situations. During Saturday’s football game against Coastal Carolina the airplane will fly over the stadium for Military Appreciation Day where the school will highlight the service of Vietnam veterans, as the C-130 played a prominent role in the Vietnam War.
Ronda Walker: Appreciating the 908th Airlift Wing and Maxwell AFB
I recently had the opportunity to fly in a C-130 from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery to MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida as part of a civic leader tour. The tour, hosted by the 908th Airlift Wing based at Maxwell, included about 30 Alabama business, political, and community leaders mostly from the River Region and Wiregrass. The purpose of the trip was to give Alabama leaders the opportunity to learn more about the mission and impact of the 908th Airlift Wing as well as the 927th Air Refueling Wing based at MacDill. Established in 1963 at Bates Field in Mobile, the mission of the 908th Airlift Wing is to recruit, organize and train Air Force Reservists to provide theater airlift and flexible combat support across the spectrum of military operations. In 1969 the 908th was moved to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery and after several aircraft changes they now fly the C-130. The C-130 accommodates a wide variety of oversized cargo, including utility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehicles. It also accommodates standard palletized cargo, up to 92 military personnel, 64 paratroopers and can convert to an Aeromedical platform, moving up to 74 patients on life saving missions. This was my first time on a C-130 and the experience was fantastic. As stated, the C-130 is a cargo plane so this was not a luxury commercial flight. Typically passengers in the C-130 fly in netted seats along the aircraft’s two outer walls. But for our trip commercial grade airline seats were placed inside of the plane. As we boarded we were each given earplugs as the C-130 is not heavily insulated and the interior noise level is high. Again, because of the lack of insulation it gets cool inside the aircraft, so long sleeves and jackets were a must. We were encouraged to take a pit stop prior to boarding, but were told, “the latrine will be lowered and a curtain hung in the event anyone needs a comfort break in flight.” I made it to Tampa fine, but had too much coffee prior to boarding for the return flight so I got to experience a most unique “comfort break”. Just imagine balancing on something the size of a TV tray, several feet off the ground, while surrounded by a shower curtain! For take off I had the privilege of being seated in the cockpit of the plane. There were several military personnel in the cockpit manning the controls. We took off from Maxwell and flew west over Autauga County, we flew low over Wendland Farms in Autaugaville and enjoyed the view from above. Upon hitting our cruising altitude of about 22,000 feet the trip to Tampa took less than two hours. Upon arriving at MacDill we were greeted by Alabama native Col. Randall Bright, Commander of the 927th Air Refueling Wing. Col. Bright briefed us on their mission at MacDill and being a good Alabamian he also talked a little SEC football. The next 24 hours were filled with base tours, static displays, Central Command and Special Operations Command briefings, and a tour of the MacDill air traffic control tower. There are at least half a dozen airports in the greater Tampa area so the skies stay busy. The exterior deck around the tower offered great views of downtown Tampa as well as St. Petersburg. A highlight of the tower tour was seeing the air traffic simulator and learning about the rigorous training necessary to become an air traffic controller for the Air Force. There was not a wasted moment during our brief trip with the 908th. The trip was extremely well organized and executed. It was clear that the members of the 908th work very hard and take their jobs seriously, but they are also extremely proud of what they do. Commanded by Col. Adam Willis, the 908th is the best of the best and their contribution to Maxwell-Gunter and the entire River Region cannot be overstated. The economic impact of a military base on the local economy is something most civilians do not fully appreciate. The total economic impact of the 908th Airlift Wing is $69.3 million per year. They have 1,199 total people of whom 192 are full time and the rest part-time traditional reservists. Then if you expand the view and consider the impact of Maxwell-Gunter the numbers grow exponentially. The total impact of Maxwell-Gunter and all military missions and contractors in the River Region is $2.6 billion annually. Maxwell AFB has a payroll of $680 million and provides 24,500 jobs to include active, reserve, guard, Department of Defense civilians, and contractors that work on the installation. Everyone in the River Region should be thankful that we have Maxwell-Gunter in our midst. But of course the benefit is far beyond economics. The men and women serving in uniform are working for all of us, to protect us, and that is a debt we can never repay. Every day as we are out and about in town we see uniformed military personnel – in our grocery stores, restaurants, churches, and businesses. Let us never see one of these men and women without thinking of the sacrifices they make on our behalf. Express your gratitude to them generously, teach your children about these heroes who are willing to die for our freedom, and never forget that we are the land of the free because of these brave men and women. Ronda M. Walker is a member of the Montgomery County Commission.
