Afghanistan launches regional air control center

KABUL, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- The Kabul Air Control Center officially opened July 12 with a ceremony presided by the second vice president of Afghanistan.

“The formal opening of the Kabul Air Control Center symbolizes the success of the people of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Transport and coalition forces,” said Brig. Gen. Allen G. Peck, deputy Combined Forces Air Component commander.

The air routes over Afghanistan are the shortest distances between Asia and Europe. The airspace is split between high-level, which handles commercial civilian and cargo aircraft flying over the country, and low-level, which services a mixture of civil and military aircraft flying within the country.

The Kabul center took the reigns of the high-altitude structure May 15 and the low-level July 11. To date, Afghanistan has handled 10,104 and 562 aircraft in these high- and low-altitude structures respectively. Each flight generates hundreds of dollars of revenue to improve infrastructure and promote the establishment of a comprehensive aviation structure for Afghanistan.

Additionally, the installation of an instrument landing system here provided Afghans with the capability for an all-weather international airport in their capital city.

This progress began in 2003 when the combined forces air component commander approved the use of the Air Force contract augmentation program to outsource four terminal air traffic control locations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, ensuring the safety of coalition aircraft and providing positive control of all air traffic in Afghanistan.

Under this contract, former Federal Aviation Administration officials advised Afghan civil employees in controlling some of the world’s most congested airspace.

As start-up successes became evident, the Air Force began to develop and operate a nonradar air traffic control system in Afghanistan, providing for both instrument and visual flight rule services to Kabul and throughout the country.

“The coalition maintains a commitment to support this achievement and all goals ensuring the speedy and effective transition of airspace control to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” General Peck said.

Air Force contractors will continue to serve in an advisory capacity to help deconflict civil and military flights.

“This achievement offers significant potential for the people of Afghanistan to revitalize their military and commercial infrastructure in the 21st century, reaping the benefits of today’s globalized world trade,” General Peck said.

“Afghanistan once again has the opportunity to reclaim its unique stature as a regional leader and global diplomatic force by rebuilding a strong civil society fortified by modern infrastructure,” the general said.