Flightline violations causes munitions trailers reroute

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Because of recent increases in controlled movement area violations on Edwards' flightline, the 412th Test Wing commander has prohibited munitions trailers from crossing the runway. 

Col. Bill Thornton mandated rerouting munitions trailers to take base public roads such as Jones Road, Rosamond and Lancaster Boulevards and FitzGerald and Wolfe Avenues. 

"Mission accomplishment is my number one priority," said Colonel Thornton. "We are going to do that as safely as possible. Placing an aircraft moving at 200 miles per hour with a vehicle going15 mph on a runway has to be done in a very safe, controlled manner with a specific process." 

Flightline traffic volume increased due to the ongoing new runway construction. Bombers, including B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress units, were moved from South Base to the Main Base. However, maintainers stayed on South Base, prompting them to cross the runway more often. 

"We've attacked (these violations) as diligently as possible," Colonel Thornton said. "We've increased training, and we've worked with individuals who committed those violations. However, we were still seeing those violations. This is unacceptable." 

With munitions trailers driving on base public roads, motorists will begin seeing maintenance vehicles on the roads. 

"It is very unusual for us to have munitions trailers out on our public roads," said Col. Mike McKenna, Air Force Flight Test Center chief of safety. "These trailers, with their munitions, can only travel at maximum speed of 15 miles per hour." 

Drivers will need to drive responsibly, slow down and obey the speed limit these trailers impose, said Colonel McKenna. 

"Once we've changed our training program and get drivers with better training and procedures, we will reinstitute (the munitions trailers) to cross the runway," Colonel Thornton said. "We are accomplishing our mission safely, and we appreciate everybody's patience."