The History of
Air Traffic Services Command
"ATSCOM"
The genesis of Army Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM) can be traced back to a 1956 Continental Army Command (CONARC) concept to develop, equip, field and train an Air Traffic Control (ATC) organization. As a result, the Army Aviation Operation Detachment (AAOD) was created to assist Army Aviation elements in combat and communications zones to enable aviation units to operate at night and adverse weather conditions. The first AAOD was the 6th Aviation Operating Detachment activated at Fort Bragg, NC, on 4 September 1957. The 6th AAOD was structured into sections: Flight Operations Section, Air Traffic Control Team, Approach Control Team, and Airfield Service Section. Following intensive training as a prototype unit, the 6th AAOD was certified and assigned full-mission status in May 1958. In its wake came a new AAOD every quarter until the full Army force structure was accomplished.

During the Vietnam War, air traffic controllers proved their effectiveness by assisting the heretofore-small Aviation force, as war fighting techniques in Aviation evolved. At that time the majority of Army aviators were trained mainly for Visual Flight Rules, which caused safety concerns during the monsoon season with low ceiling and visibility. This was a defining time for ATS as new procedures and equipment were developed, tested, and fielded to include the integration of the pathfinder role in ATS.

In 1986, ATS was reassigned to the newly established Aviation Branch and the USAATCA was moved from Fort Huachuca, Arizona to Fort Rucker, Alabama.

In 1990, during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield, air traffic controllers were again called upon to provide joint and coalition Air Traffic Control towers, radar facilities, and provide Joint Airspace Command and Control (A2C2) support and expertise in the heavily congested skies over Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq. Army ATC was an integral, enabling part of the overall decisive combat operations for the liberation of Kuwait.

Many air traffic controllers were found in Army Corps and Division rear airfields, the forward battle areas at field landing sites, tactical aviation assembly areas in support of requirements for pick-up zone, landing zone, and drop zone operations throughout the enemy front and rear areas. These operational roles were exemplified in a 48-hour period prior to the start of Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Two Tactical Air Traffic Control Teams from C Co, 1-58th ATS, attached to the 101st Airborne Division along with the division’s pathfinder elements, were the first to cross into Iraq to conduct critical pathfinder operations in support of the largest Air Assault operation in history.

Every major contingency operation since 1983 has seen Army air traffic controllers as a part of the lead elements into every war zone or conflict to which our military has been sent to include: Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, and since the 9/11 attack against the US, in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 1995 the Aviation Branch Functional Area Analysis (FAA) identified operational, training, and maintenance challenges across the ATS mission area. As a result, General Shinseki, then the Army Vice Chief of Staff, approved the concept of a separate command for ATS.

On 18 October 2001, COL Don M. Adkins assumed command of the ATSCOM (Provisional) as a major subordinate command under FORSCOM at Fort McPherson, GA. The provisional colors were uncased and formally presented to COL Adkins by General Hendrix, Commanding General of FORSCOM.

Immediately after the provisional activation of ATSCOM, the Command became active in all aspects of ATS. The Command immediately tackled the creation of an ATSCOM and FORSCOM Matrix Team that partnered ATSCOM staff functional experts with their counterparts in FORSCOM. This matrix team under the direction of COL Adkins began the complex task to formulate and refine budget, personnel, and operational concept development to support the Army’s formal approval and activation of ATSCOM. The Command began an aggressive schedule to introduce the Command to the field units and to construct an accurate picture of the state of ATS worldwide. The ATSCOM elements participated in several conferences and multiple Army and Joint-level exercises to identify future ATS and airspace issues of concern to Army commanders. Within a month of provisional activation, ATSCOM hosted its first Worldwide ATS Leaders Conference at Fort McPherson on 27 November 2001.

On 28 August 2003, the ATSCOM was formally activated under COL Don M. Adkins and CSM Johnny D. Hatten in a ceremony conducted by Major General Burns (G3/5/7, FORSCOM), and officially relocated to Fort Rucker, Alabama.

The Institute of Heraldry approved the official ATSCOM colors and insignia on 31 October 2003, and these colors you see before you became part of the ATSCOM history. Air Traffic Services has a long and proud history. Always at the forefront ready to answer our nation’s call. Proclaiming a clear voice of Freedom, wherever Army aviators are called to serve… Calm, Expert, Professionals… Freedom’s Voice!
Freedom’s Voice!
Although ATSCOM dates from 1956, US Army Air Traffic Control dates from at least World War II, if not earlier. On July 4, 2003, I found out that a cousin's father was an Army Air Controller (I think he said it was called at that time) during WWII.