High Desert TRACON (E10)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents 2

Welcome Letter 3

High Desert TRACON Today 4

Directions to High Desert TRACON 7

High Desert TRACON Management, Staff and Operational Teams 8

Policies 9

Expectations of All Employees 11

Local Area Information and Online Resources 12

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Welcome Letter

High Desert TRACON, E10 100 East Sparks Drive, Bldg. 2580 Edwards AFB, California 93524 Dear New Employee, Welcome to High Desert TRACON! A career as an Air Traffic Controller is both challenging and rewarding. Here you will have an opportunity to work with an outstanding team of professionals that help make this a great place to work and develop your skills. Your knowledge, abilities and positive attitude make you a highly regarded addition to our team, and I am certain that you will make a positive impact on our future. You will soon embark on a challenging, but exciting training phase when you report to High Desert. Your training may consist of classroom, simulation, and, ultimately, on-the-job training. All of us want to make your tenure at High Desert TRACON as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. Please feel free to ask any questions and express your thoughts and ideas to the staff and senior leadership. Our aim is to create an informal atmosphere and involve everyone in the process of making our facility an exceptional place to work. I look forward to working with you, and would like to welcome you again to our team! Sincerely, Mark Heinrich Air Traffic Manager High Desert TRACON

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High Desert TRACON Today

The new, state-of-the-art High Desert TRACON was completed in 2005. Over a two year period the old Administrative wing was demolished, and the new operations room and office complex was built in it’s place. We have an advanced automation system called REHOST. This system uses off-the-shelf computer equipment that can be easily maintained and updated regularly.. REHOST was commissioned at High Desert in 1993. Our operation is supported by a highly dedicated staff of Tech Ops professionals.. The men and women at High Desert TRACON control and service a very complex network of air traffic as part of the National Airspace System. Their mission is to safely move that air traffic into, and out of a very unique airspace.

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“Special Use" Airspace” Of the 25,000 square miles of airspace High Desert's controllers oversee, 20,000 is ‘special use airspace’ which spans over seven Restricted Areas, ten Military Operations Areas, (MOA’s) and 12 Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace, (ATCAA’s) . This special use airspace is commonly referred to as the R-2508 Complex All branches of the military use this airspace for a variety of purposes, including Unmanned Aerial Systems operations, military and civilian aircraft testing and development for both airframes and systems, pilot proficiency training, various atmospheric science and reseach testing conducted by NASA with multiple types of aircraft. Airborne Laser testing,

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Army air-to-ground support missions, carrier strike missions, air to air and air to ground combat, cruise missiles and weapons testing. The R-2508 Complex is very dynamic airspace and the types of daily operations within the complex change with military’s needs. The R-2508 Complex is unique in that it is not exclusive use airspace, meaning several missions can be working in the same airspace at the same time. During most parts of the day, a variety of military aircraft enter the “airspace” from several surrounding facilities. Commercial and general aviation aircraft, are provided service through the inactive parts (the parts that the military is not using) of the complex on a “real time” basis. To these aircraft we provide overflight and en route services just like an Air Route Traffic Control Center would do. Aircraft are normally handed off from Los Angeles Center and Oakland Center Sectors. Additionally we work with SPORT MRU, China Control MRU, Nellis Approach, Socal TRACON and Bakersfield Approach. Additionally, approach control services are provided to multiple airports within our airspace and to Southern California. Controllers often talk to military pilots (on a number of different “special missions frequencies”) at the same time talking to aircarrier aircraft on ATC frequencies. A career as an Air Traffic Controller here is both challenging and rewarding. Military Exercises Essentially, the military conducts war games within our airspace. Since World War II, Edwards Air Force Base has been used as a testing location for new types of aircraft, weapons and military exercises - all of which are part of High Desert controllers' daily experience. Because of all the variety (and mixture) of activities that occur in the High Desert airspace, it has been described as having a free-flowing and unstructured feel. As part of the war games waged within High Desert TRACON's airspace, the U.S. Navy frequently flies airborne warning control system (AWACS) aircraft overhead and launches strikes into the MOAs - adding further excitement and complexity to the operation.

Unique Traffic Controllers routinely “talk” to a number of different types of aircraft on the radios, and then, can walk out of the facility, and observe an F-16 on the runway, a B-52 on final, a B-2 on the downwind, and occasionally the space shuttle dropping out of the sky. Where else in the agency can you see something like that?

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Directions to High Desert TRACON

From CA Hwy 14 Exit at Rosamond Boulevard and proceed east. In approximately 12 miles, you will reach the Edwards AFB West Gate (Procedures for access to the base will be provided). After passing through the gate, continue on Rosamond Boulevard for another 8 miles. Once you have gone through two “4-way stops,” you will see High Desert TRACON on the hill ahead and to the right. There is an F4 fighter on display at the entrance of East Sparks Drive. From CA Hwy 58 Exit at Edwards AFB and proceed south. In approximately 1 mile, you will reach the Edwards AFB North Gate (Procedures for access to the base will be provided).After passing through the gate, continue South on the same road (Rosamond Boulevard) for approximately 7 miles. Once you have passed 5 stop signs, you will see High Desert TRACON on the hill ahead and to the left. There is an F4 fighter on display at the entrance of East Sparks Drive. From East Avenue E Proceed east on Avenue E to 120th Street East. Turn left on 120th Street East. In approximately 5 miles you will reach Edwards AFB South Gate. (Procedures for access to the base will be provided). Continue northbound for about 5 miles on Lancaster Boulevard (120th Street East becomes Lancaster Boulevard north of the gate). Proceed through 2 traffic light and at the 4-way stop sign turn right onto Rosamond Blvd. Go east on Rosamond Boulevard. Continue through the “4-way-stop,” you will see High Desert TRACON on the hill ahead and to the right. There is an F4 fighter on display at the entrance of East Sparks Drive.

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High Desert TRACON Management, Staff and Operational Teams The Management team consists of the following:

- Mark Heinrich, Air Traffic Manager - Susan Marmet, Operations Supervisor Front Line Managers - Roy Awana - Eric Corscadden - Scott Knutson Support Specialist - Alan Staabs Operational team - Joel Ortiz, NATCA Facility Representative - Air Traffic Control Specialists:

Christopher Alexander Travis Mortensen Rachel Apodaca Joy Purpus Christopher Bastion Thomas Purpus Ryan Casey Ryan Reeves Donroy Bernabe Ronald Runsvold Franklin Ceruti, Jr. David Schmidt Farmel Dalton Fritz Sperling Phillip Delgado James Sudduth Donald George, Jr. Sarah Titone Devin Hunt Gregory Turner Christopher Hurn Jonathon Wigfall Robert Long Dave Wilson

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Policies

Reporting for Duty

Employees are to report for their assigned shift on time. If a situation arises that will prevent you from reporting on time, call the TRACON at 661-258-6300. Since the facility is located on Edwards AFB, you will be given specific information for reporting on the first day.

Hours of Duty

Initially, you will be assigned to training. Your shift will be from 0730 to 1600, Monday through Friday (subject to change), until you are assigned to the operation. Your Front Line Manager (FLM) will discuss your new schedule once you are assigned to a Team. Upon arrival, policies will be discussed with you concerning breaks, leaving the facility, recall policies, emergencies, leave, etc.

Parking

Ample parking is provided in the facility parking lot. There are two sections directly north of the front entrance to the building. Any available parking space may be used. However, the area closest to the entrance is reserved for Handicapped Parking.

Security

Security is of the highest priority. Badges are to be worn at all times. There are certain requirements for entering and driving on base and for entering the building. Your training and orientation will cover this information in detail.

Building Access

Each employee is issued a Proximity Card to gain access to facility exterior doors and to some interior doors as well. Until you receive a card, there is a phone at the front door to be used for entry. Dial 7-2023 for Air Traffic.

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FAA ID Cards

FAA photo ID cards must be worn and visible at all times when you are on Edwards AFB and High Desert TRACON property.

Guests and Visitors

Guests and visitors must be approved ahead of time by the facility manager, or his designee. Each person must sign in, wear a temporary badge, and be escorted by an employee at all times.

Cell Phones

Cell phones must be in the off position while in the operational area. This is strictly adhered to as an interference with air traffic systems may occur if they are left on.

Smoking

There is an indoor smoking area along with outdoor smoking areas on the property.

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Expectations of All Employees

High Desert TRACON Leadership Team expects all employees to: - Come to work, be on time - Be prepared – mentally and physically - Understand leave policy and manage your leave appropriately - Be cooperative and professional - Treat people with respect and dignity - Take initiative - Be accountable - Lead by example – be a good role model - Do not tolerate or engage in any form of harassment or discrimination - Actively participate in training - Know your airspace and systems, know your equipment - Use prescribed phraseology/correct facility and equipment names - Follow rules and procedures - Be open to feedback – provide honest information - Be an effective team member

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Local Area Information and Online Resources

High Desert TRACON at Edwards AFB is situated in the southeast part of Kern County, the northeast corner of Los Angeles County, and the western part of San Bernardino County. Cities within commuting distance are Palmdale, Lancaster, Rosamond, Mohave, California City, Tehachapi, Victorville and Apple Valley. Kern County www.co.kern.ca.us Los Angeles County http://portal.lacounty.gov San Bernardino County www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us Edwards Air Force Base http://www.edwards.af.mil Palmdale - 40 miles SW- www.cityofpalmdale.org Quartz Hill- 35 miles SW- www.quartzhillchamber.org Lancaster- 30 miles SW- www.cityoflancasterca.org Rosamond- 20 miles W- www.rosamondca.us California City- 25 miles NW- www.californiacity.com Mojave- 20 miles NW- www.mojave.ca.us Tehachapi- 60 miles NW- www.tehachapicityhall.com Victorville- 65 miles E- http://ci.victorville.ca.us Apple Valley- 70 miles E- www.applevalley.org

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Edwards AFB (www.edwards.af.mil) consists of approximately 301,000 acres of largely undeveloped or semi-improved land that is used predominantly for aircraft test ranges and maintained and unmaintained sites (i.e., dry lake beds). High Desert TRACON sits on a hill that overlooks the main base runways.. Significant amounts of U.S. military flight testing is performed here. NASA Dryden Flight Research Center is a tenant organization, (as well as McDonnel Douglas, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and many others) at Edwards AFB. NASA space shuttles originally landed at Edwards because the lake beds offer a vast landing area. Since the landing strip was built at the Kennedy Space Center, Edwards remains the backup in case of bad weather at Cape Canaveral. (See http://www.edwards.af.mil).

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. USAF ATCT at Edwards AFB

Northwest of Edwards, is the town of Mohave, home of America’s first civilian spaceport, and a nexus of transportation modes. According to their website, “Mojave is a dynamic, diverse community that hasn’t lost the best in what being a ‘small town’ is all about. (See www.mojave.ca.us).

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SpaceShipOne (Flight 15P)

Landing at Mojave Air & Space Port (June 21, 2004) Rosamond is the closest community to the facility. Housing is reasonable. Attractions include Willow Springs Raceway, which is becoming “THE” racing center for the southland, and an Exotic Feline Breeding Compound. Rosamond Skypark is a privately-owned and operated residential skypark located west of town. It is open for public use (See www.rosamondca.us). Palmdale: All the amenities that you can expect are found in Palmdale. Antelope Valley Mall, Rancho Vista Public Golf Course, Air Force Plant 42/LA-Palmdale Regional Airport (limited commercial schedule). Air Force Plant 42, co-located with the airport is a large facility where projects are conducted that include maintenance and modification of aircraft such as the B-2 bomber and F-117 stealth fighter, and production of the Global Hawk and other unmanned craft). (See www.cityofpalmdale.org).

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Lancaster is the home of the minor League Jethawks baseball team, the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, The Lancaster National Soccer Center (35 soccer fields), and The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (the annual Antelope Valley Poppy Festival). (See www.cityoflancasterca.org

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Quartz Hill is a small rural town to the west of Palmdale/Lancaster. (See www.quartzhillchamber.org). Tehachapi is one of our unique mountain communities with a more moderate climate (cooler summers and colder winters), and usually appeals to folks that prefer the tranquility of the country life. (See www.tehachapicityhall.com). Victorville is located on the old “U.S. Route 66”/Interstate15 highway corridor. Southern California Logistics Airport (on the site of de-activated George AFB), provides service to the military – primarily, the army – and to Commercial Enterprises that ship foreign goods into southern California. It is also home base for the wide-body jet Air Tanker 910, contracted to California Department of Forestry. (See: http://ci.victorville.ca.us). California City is the third largest city in terms of area, but one of the smaller one’s in terms of population. (See www.californiacity.com

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Chambers of Commerce www.palmdalechamber.org www.avchambers.com for Lancaster www.quartzhillchamber.org www.tehachapi.com www.vvchamber.com for Victorville http://www.2chambers.com/rosamond,_california.htm http://www.2chambers.com/mojave,_california.htm www.californiacitychamber.com www.avchamber.org for Apple Valley

Local Restaurants There are several good restaurants in all of the local communities listed above; however, those convenient to the facility, on base, are listed below:

On Base: Burger King 661 258-5987 Charley’s Eatery 661 258-1078 X 226 Club Muroc (Officer’s Club) 661-275-2582 Robin Hood Sandwich Shop 661 258-1078 X 226 Panda Express 661 258-0755 Pizza Hut 661 258-4907 Popeye’s Chicken 661 258-1078 X 257 Sandbagger Grill (Golf Course) 661-275-7263 Subway Sandwich Shop Wolfe Ave 661 258-7623 Kincheloe Ave 661 258-9856 Taco Bell 661 258-1078 X 227

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