59th Air Traffic Control Battalion Unit Crest (Voice Of Control)

On 1 October 1978, the 14th Avn Unit (ATC) was deactivated and the 59th Air Traffic Control Battalion was formed to correctly reflect the scope of its wartime mission. While the fixed station requirements remained basically the same, the battalion's 3 companies and Army Flight Operations Detachment accepted their dual mission by extensive training with their supported units, setting the standards for combat support air traffic control.

The battalion continues to strive to establish new and innovative tactical ATC doctrine and concepts that could doctrinally pave the way for both Army and Air Force tactical ATC usage.

The 59th Air Traffic Control Battalion is comprised of a total of 777 assigned personnel, has personnel and equipment in 34 locations, and is spread over 50,000 square miles of Germany and Italy. The Battalion is responsible for providing all peacetime and transition to war tactical air traffic control support to two US Corps (Fifth and Seventh), two Armies (CENTAG and SETAF), and to the entire European Communications Zone (COMMZ) that stretches from the North Sea to Turkey. To this end, the Battalion provides operations, administration, and logistical support to a mission that doctrinally requires an ATC Group, and two ATC Battalions.

During peacetime, the 59th Air Traffic Control Battalion provides staff administration, operational and logistical planning, and personnel for the support of both fixed base and tactical air traffic control operations to the entire U.S. Army, Europe, Theater.

The Battalion is organized as a Modified Table of Organization that is authorized 393 personnel, augmented by a Table of Distribution Allowances (TDA) that is authorized 359 personnel. In garrison, the Battalion is responsible for two flight following facilities that monitor aircraft movements in the essential and critical Air Defense Identification Zone, terminal services at twelve fully instrumented and certified airfields, six visual flight rule tower facilities, and communications/electronics maintenance support at 16 advisory airfields. In addition to the operation of the above facilities, the assigned tactical mission responsibility is to provide tactical terminal and enroute air traffic control navigational aids, air warning, and other assistance to inflight aircraft for the Fifth and Seventh US Corps and the USAREUR Communications Zone (COMMZ) area of operation. The 59th ATC Bn supervises and manages the operation of the Army Flight Operations Detachment (TDA AFOD) which is responsible for the coordination of flight planning information with host nation flight activities and for the coordination of search and rescue and other flight service support for U.S. Army aircraft in USAREUR.

During wartime, the 59th ATC Bn reverts to its doctrinal support mission of providing air traffic support to one Corps, but that is not until arrival of the doctrinal ATC elements addressed above.

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