Kirtland, Albuquerque Sunport operate joint-use airport

  • Published
  • By Capt. Erin Dorrance
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Passengers on commercial airline flights taking off from or landing at Albuquerque's International Sunport are likely to see military aircraft using the same runways.

The Sunport and Kirtland Air Force Base operate a joint-use airport, sharing responsibilities that benefit the base and the city of Albuquerque. The FAA is responsible for maintenance and operations of the airfield, while the Air Force provides crash and rescue services. Together, the two entities ensure a safe and efficient airport facility for all customers.

Kirtland-based aircraft account for 15 percent of the air traffic at the joint use airport, while commercial is 45 percent, and general aviation accounts for 40 percent, said Bob White, Albuquerque Air Traffic Control Tower manager, who has worked for the FAA since 1981.

"We have a great working relationship with the Air Force and city of Albuquerque. We hold regular meetings and ensure responsibilities on both sides are always covered," he said.

The airport has three active runways, said Maj. Philip Bryant, 58th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration operates the air traffic control tower for all flights in and out of the airport, including the 58th Special Operations Wing's seven types of aircraft flown at Kirtland.

Military pilots say the civilian-operated air traffic control tower on an Air Force base isn't an issue for them.

"There is no difference, from an aircrew perspective," said Bryant. "It is a seamless operation, no matter who is running the tower, military or the FAA."

White said the biggest challenge for air traffic controllers is the speed at which some of their customers arrive.

"The military has high-speed jets, while most commercial and general aviation traffic is low-speed. We have to sequence timing between these types of aircraft performance."

Kirtland aircrews have access to a small auxiliary airfield five miles south of the airport, enabling military pilots to conduct required training with almost no impact to air traffic at the Sunport.

"C-130s can do multiple touch-and-goes at the Sunport, with limited disruption to air traffic flow," said Bryant. "We can also use the auxiliary airfield and surrounding airspace for helicopter emergency procedure maneuvers, airdrops, and crash and rescue ground training, among several other training currencies we have to maintain."