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Grissom opens new $7.4 million ATC tower

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  With a snip of giant scissors, the 434th Air Refueling Wing celebrated the completion of a new $7.4 million air traffic control tower.

Marking the occasion, Col. Don Buckley, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, presided over a ribbon cutting ceremony here Aug. 3 attended by local civic leaders, elected officials and base personnel.

"It's outstanding," said Terry Albaugh, 434th Operations Support Squadron air traffic manager, referring to the new tower.

Construction on the new tower began in March 2011 and it was designed to replace the previous one built in 1969 that was located outside Grissom's boundary.

The new control tower maximizes safety and efficiency, provides an improved view, and is in a much closer and more secure area, said Robert Ulibarri, 434th OSS airfield operations manager.

The new facility also offers more space for modern equipment, requires less maintenance, and has an improved safety design making it more resilient in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes.

Ulibarri said the new tower has an increased operational capability that benefits not only the military, but the general aviation community as it provides control for all aircraft that travel between Chicago and Indianapolis, going as far west as Lafayette, Ind., up to 10,000 feet.

Standing in front of the tower during the ceremony, Buckley commented on the inception of the project, and then with some of the guests joining him, they cut the ribbon of the new tower, officially dedicating the new structure.

Afterward, the guests then had the opportunity to take a tour of the tower.

Among those in attendance were Jim Walker, Mayor of Peru, Ind., Dave Murtaugh, representing Senator Dan Coats, Tresa Baker, representing Congressman Dan Burton, and Meredith Perks, representing Congressman Joe Donnelly.

Buckley also presented awards to three of Grissom's controllers during the ceremony and congratulated them on their success.

Ulibarri, was honored with the Col. Darrel L. Dempsey Air Traffic Control Officer of the Year for 2011 award.

Robert Moore, 434th OSS training and standardization manager, was awarded the AFRC Air Traffic Control Training Achievement of the Year for 2011.

Theresa Wilson, 434th OSS air traffic controller, was named the AFRC Air Traffic Controller of the Year for 2011.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer