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MCAS Cherry Point News

 

Photo Information

Aircraft flight patterns over the air station form an intricate web. Sgt. Chas Martinetz helps weave that web and keep the aircraft safe. As a Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron air traffic controller, his primary mission is to help maintain aircraft separation in Cherry Point controlled airspace. At Cherry Point, that mission is executed from high in the control tower and down in the radar room. Martinetz said the tower and the radar room play two major roles in his job field. The tower allows for a 5-mile line of sight while the radar can track aircraft more than 60 miles away. “The services we provide are vital to the (Marine Air-Ground Task Force’s) mission,” said Martinetz. “We provide all-weather services inside or outside of combat for aircraft support or defense.” Martinetz worked as an aviation communication technician with Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 28 under Marine Air Control Group 28 during his first enlistment but changed jobs after he reenlisted. “The opportunities for this job both in and out of the Marine Corps were worth the switch,” he said. “It was a good career move.”

Photo by Lance Cpl. S. T. Stewart

Fly By: Sgt. Chas Martinetz

17 Jan 2013 | Lance Cpl. Glen E. Santy Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

Sgt. Chas Martinetz

Job Title: Aircraft traffic controller

Unit: Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron

Hometown: Rockford, Ill. 

Age: 23

Date Joined: April 2, 2007

 

Aircraft flight patterns over the air station form an intricate web. Sgt. Chas Martinetz helps weave that web and keep the aircraft safe.

As a Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron air traffic controller, his primary mission is to help maintain aircraft separation in Cherry Point controlled airspace. At Cherry Point, that mission is executed from high in the control tower and down in the radar room.

Martinetz said the tower and the radar room play two major roles in his job field. The tower allows for a 5-mile line of sight while the radar  can track aircraft more than 60 miles away.

“The services we provide are vital to the (Marine Air-Ground Task Force’s) mission,” said Martinetz. “We provide all-weather services inside or outside of combat for aircraft support or defense.”

Martinetz worked as an aviation communication technician with Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 28 under Marine Air Control Group 28 during his first enlistment but changed jobs after he reenlisted.

“The opportunities for this job both in and out of the Marine Corps were worth the switch,” he said. “It was a good career move.”


Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point