An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

No Line Between Us: How civilians and active duty work shoulder-to-shoulder in Air Traffic Control

  • Published
  • By Adam Bowles
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

About 75% of Edwards Air Force Base's direct workforce is civilian with roughly 25% being military: a statistic you probably haven't known.  Continuing on with our series "No Line Between Us", we show how civilians and active duty work shoulder-to-shoulder for the mission in Air Traffic Control on Edwards Air Force Base. The 412th Operations Support Squadron depends on this comradery to succeed in the mission.

With the 412 OSS in the Air Traffic Control Tower, experienced civilians train first time active duty Airmen to become proficient Air Traffic Controllers.

"Civilians are here in Air Traffic Control primarily because of the mission at Edwards and the complexity of it," Scott Diprofio, Air Traffic Control Supervisor said. "For continuity and the services we provide and our experience levels that we possess from all being prior military controllers; this is why we get hired here: for our expertise and to mentor and train our young active duty Airmen."

The ATC Tower is a great example of the Edwards AFB workforce: civilians and active duty working shoulder-to-shoulder.  

"What makes this tower special in my opinion is all the diversity that's here," Carlos Lucero, Air Traffic Controller said.  "With all the different tests, a lake bed, and airframes that Edwards has to offer and all the different patterns and landscapes Edwards has to offer, it's very complex and having us civilians work with the active duty definitely helps with the hectic environment that goes on in the tower."

More than two million public employees protect the nation through service in the armed forces, and more than 183,000 of them are Air Force civilian full-time, part-time, temporary, and non-appropriated fund Airmen.

Often working behind the scenes in support of their military teammates, civilians help provide a stable foundation at installations worldwide, shouldering in-garrison missions to enable military members to deploy in support of overseas contingencies.

In the ATC, this bond is just another example of how important this comradery is that strengthens the overall mission and also helps with the stresses like airframes, different types of jets and the requirements of each, busy radio traffic and more.

"This base in particular has a lot of different things, operations, and tests," Airman 1st Class Calvin Tayloe, Air Traffic Controller explained. "So, it's definitely more helpful to have civilians around to learn to be more comfortable and help you deal with those stresses rather than deal with a strict military environment."

"We share that bond," Diprofio said. "After years of training, I can talk to an Airmen and say I have been there where you are at, doing the same thing you are doing and trust me; you'll get there."

To learn more how civilians and military work hand-in-hand on Edwards AFB visit No Line Between Us.

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.