14th OSS vital to producing pilots

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jamerson Watts
  • 14th OSS Air Traffic Control Training NCO in-charge
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The 14th Operations Support Squadron is comprised of various career fields that have very different responsibilities, but all come together to equal one amazingly diverse and critically important squadron.

The Weather Flight provides timely, accurate, and tailored weather information for all 14th Flying Training Wing flying squadrons by providing mission execution forecasts, observations, and local expertise to the 26th Operational Weather Squadron. Their scope of responsibility expands to a range of 300 nautical miles. Additionally, they are charged with accomplishing daily briefings for all Columbus Air Force Base flying squadrons and providing more thorough one-on-one briefings for missions to off-base locations.

The Aircrew Flight Equipment Flight fits, inspects, maintains and repairs 100 percent of the 14th FTW's flight gear that connects the aviator to the aircraft.  Every sortie incorporates numerous pieces of equipment that have been meticulously scrutinized by AFE personnel to ensure their safety and functionality. AFE is instrumental not only to the wing mission, but also to the safety of our aviators.

The Operations Flight is responsible for synchronization of all wing flying operations to include scheduling, airspace coordination, and aircrew flight records management. Not only does the Operations Flight manage the largest flying hour program in the Air Force, but it also deconflicts airspace schedules at Columbus AFB and throughout the southeast to include Memphis and Atlanta Centers. 

Host Aviation Resource Management ensures accountability for 100 percent of the wing's flight records.  They are often called the lawyers of flying because they thoroughly review each aircrew member's records to ensure compliance prior to stepping to their aircraft.  HARM's global reach is immense as they work closely with other HARM agencies all around the world on a daily basis.

The Airfield Systems Flight, or Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems, is another extremely vital part of the squadron.  ATCALS manages and maintains all navigational aids for Columbus AFB and three remote sites, including almost 200 radios, weather equipment, and various other systems. Every sortie will use numerous pieces of this equipment to safely arrive and depart the airfield.

The final piece directly connecting the 14th OSS to the wing mission is the Airfield Operations Flight, which is accountable for all airfield and air traffic control activities. Airfield Management Operations is responsible for all Columbus AFB runways, coordinating airfield construction, conducting daily runway and lighting inspections, managing the airfield driving program, and processing all flight plans. The flight's Radar Approach Control and tower consist of over 100 Federal Aviation Administration certified air traffic controllers who safely direct aircraft within a 40 nautical-mile radius from the surface to 23,000 feet.  Additionally, they direct all aircraft movement on Columbus AFB and 13 additional satellite airports. The Airfield Operations Flight's teamwork ensures the safety and efficiency of 270,000 operations conducted annually at one of the busiest airfields in the Air Force.

The 14th OSS proudly bolsters all aspects of the 14th FTW mission, and none of this could be accomplished without an exceptional team. Efforts to advance Airmen in the past year have resulted in 50 enlisted Airmen receiving promotions for excelling in their respective career fields. Six squadron members have answered the call of duty and are deployed to various locations throughout the world to feed the fight.  Finally, each person within the 14th OSS directly supports aircrew members, sortie execution, and the wing's primary mission of producing pilots.