N/TSW-7C Air Traffic Control Center - United States - 1979-2001
Type: Mobile Air Traffic Control Tower
Manufacturer: Craig Systems Corp. Helicop-Hut Division
Equipment:HF/UHF/VHF communications, NAVAIDS and environmental monitoring, landlines, light guns, emergency warning system
Crew; 3 (local, ground and flight data controllers)
This tower provided Air Traffic Control capabilities where no control tower existed or where the fixed control tower was not operational. The AN/TSW-7 provided controllers with the minimum items necessary to rapidly launch and recover aircraft. Designed to be installed in two hours, experienced operators could set up in as little as 45 minutes. The tires are removed so that it could be mounted on a 2.5 or 5 ton truck. Three operators controlled airborne aircraft and runway traffic (local controller), all other aircraft ground movements and vehicles (ground controller), and administrative coordination (flight data controller). Serial Number 0001 indicates this unit was probably the first of 22 systems contracted for production in 1979.
This Mobile Air Traffic Control Tower was used by the Louisiana Air Guard's 236th Combat Communication Squadron from Hammond, until 1995 when it was transferred to the 259th Air Traffic Control Squadron in Alexandria and used by that unit until decommissioned in December of 2001.
SN: 0001; Object ID# 896746