77-foot radar tower provides realistic air control training

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Beth Woodward
  • 388th Fighter Wing public affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The 729th Air Control Squadron, a unit that relays communications between pilots and ground units calling for air support, marked the opening of its new, 77-foot radar tower and operations center here Jan. 10.

The $700,000 tower allows 729th ground radar specialists to have a full view of the Utah Test and Training Range and more effectively direct aircraft in training scenarios.

"Having this technology in our backyard will better prepare us to control hostile airspace when we deploy," said Maj. Edward Spinelli, 729th assistant director of operations.

The tower and radar system decrease the time the unit spends traveling to the UTTR or neighboring bases for realistic training.

The unique combat capabilities of the 729th make it a low-density, high-demand asset for the Air Force. It is one of only three, active duty air control squadrons in the U.S., providing radar air surveillance and command and control of coalition aircraft for combatant commanders.