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The 1st Combat Communications Squadron’s TPN-19 tactical radar system recently completed a three-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The transportable radar system is the only one of its kind assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and consists of an airport surveillance radar, primarily used to control aircraft in the airspace around an airfield; a precision approach radar, used to guide aircraft in on final approach; and an operations shelter, where air traffic controllers receive the radar data from the ASR and PAR to control and communicate with aircraft in their airspace.
Upon completion of the TPN-19’s OIF deployment, it was determined that the radar system was in dire need of a complete overhaul and was sent back to the states for depot level maintenance.
“After operating in the desert for three consecutive years, the TPN-19 was definitely ready for a tune-up,” said Tech. Sgt. Tyson Wilhelm, 1st CBCS radar systems technician.
A true statement since an overhaul is recommended every five years, and this system’s last trip to depot was in 1997.
“When I got down there and saw the radar, I was amazed that it withstood the severe conditions for three years. I couldn’t believe it still worked,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathon Parker, one of the technicians sent down to pack and send the system to depot.
Along with the overhaul of the TPN-19, depot is also making two overdue upgrades to the system. One upgrade is to transfer the ASR and PAR into new larger shelters. This will allow more room for operations and maintenance and increase mobility by eliminating an extra storage unit. The other is to upgrade from old solid state target display indicators to computer-based flat screens.
“The new displays will be great; they are much more user friendly and the picture is 110 percent better,” said Tech. Sgt. Gregory Martin, 1st CBCS air traffic controller.
The upgrades will bring the 1st CBCS system up-to-date with the other TPN-19s assigned stateside.
As the radar system is currently going through the overhaul and upgrades, the 1st CBCS radar work center is preparing for its return. They are currently building up the radar mobility package that was depleted while deployed.
“Everything took a beating down there in the desert, from test equipment to tents,” said Sergeant Wilhelm.
The work center is also working on all the requirements needed to maintain and train on the TPN-19 on Ramstein, such as getting frequencies approved and finding the best location to operate. In addition, the personnel will be rotating through the 435th Communications Squadron radar shop to remain technically proficient, and will occasionally fly back to Robins Air Force Base, Ga., to train on TPN-19 systems there.
The radar is due back to Ramstein sometime in fall.
