SAAF geared for the Confederation Cup
Date: 12 June 2009
By Lt Ruddy Phakoe, BACS Mission Controller and photos by WO2 David Nomtshongwana
With the Confederations Cup and the World Cup around the corner, the Department of Defence has been assigned to assist with the Safety and Security for these two major events. The role of the South African Air Force (SAAF) would be to assist the whole process by means of aerial safety operations.
The function of Bushveld Airspace Control Sector (BACS), situated at SAAF Headquarters in Pretoria, is having/conducting tactical Command and Control of all aircraft in a given flying zone and to have a tactical mobile radar system and the Umlindi radar system positioned under their control.
All the radars are currently located at three different areas, namely Rustenburg, Magaliesburg and Bloemfontein. For the sector to maintain the safety and security precautions of all stadiums they have amalgamated the important aspects, which are tracking and identification, flight authorisation, air traffic control coordination, air defence and mission control.
Through the installation of new Air Picture systems at the sector, it makes the command and control more effective and also creates more space for the staff of BACS. It has the ability to operate twenty-four hours should the situation necessitate any action to be taken.
Furthermore, the sector would be able to provide a real-time accuracy air situation picture by tracking and identifying all aircraft in the area of operation with the help of ground-based radar and radio systems in order to compile a flight plan statistic directory used by identification officers and controllers. For this purpose Command and Control personnel have developed a unique system in order to restrict flying over certain zones.
All aircraft entering restricted airspace need to request permission from the screening cell. The permission includes an Intelligence background check against three National Intelligence organisations.
During previous exercises a pilot submitted the request via e-mail or telephone to the screening cell. The application process was reviewed and it was decided to implement a web site for information distribution and online forms that will be used by the pilots to request either pre-screening and/or requesting access to restricted air space. The pilot screening authority will be valid for a period of six months from the date of issue. It is envisioned that the Internet-based application at http://www.airspace.af.mil.za/ will result in a speeding up of applications. Should this Internet web page not be operational, the following telephone numbers at the BACS Vetting Cell are also available: +2712 312 1728 /29/30/31/32/33/34/35/36/37.
The system will distribute the completed requests to all role players. Provision has been made to ensure continuity of service should the primary systems fail. Such an electronic system will also reduce the possibility of human error during the capturing of data, as well as the duplication of authority codes. It will also enhance the professional image of the SANDF by migrating from a manual, paper environment to an electronic environment.
In addition, the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) ensures a safe environment between civilians and operational aircraft, and the direct communication amongst the SAAF ATCs, Mission Controllers and civilian ATCs are of the highest significance.
Moreover, air defence particularly assesses the air situation and determines the actions that must be taken by the aircraft under their control. Such an exploit is based on numerous dynamics such as Intelligence reports, observation-post reports, tracking and identification, liaison officers or even a direct command from the higher authority. Interrogation, repelling and a forced landing would be the actions taken by the aircraft.
The mission controllers control all services to military aircraft engaged in the operation, and guide pilots to Combat Air Patrol positions. They also repel any possible renegade airplanes and exercise close control of interrogation missions.
It is evident that a lot of hard work goes into ensuring all soccer games are played with both spectators (foreign and domestic) and the players having confidence in their safety during the upcoming events.
