Keeping Yokota personnel safe

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ruth Curfman
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Impatient drivers endanger themselves and others daily by not obeying runway crossing lights at the north and south overruns.

"Everybody has experienced waiting for the red lights here at some point," said Master Sgt. Dan Hauger, 374th Operations Support Squadron RAPCON assistant chief controller. "However, I don't know if they realize they are actually driving over an active runway."

Because the road is paved on the overrun, which is still part of the active runway, there are inherent dangers.

"Crossing over an active runway is a dangerous event for everybody," said Sergeant Hauger. "Because the light controlling [vehicular and pedestrian] traffic on the ground is unique to Yokota, it also presents a challenge to the controllers in the tower and the pilots flying their mission."

There are a number of situations during any takeoffs or landings, which could result in an accident. It is important for people to understand why Yokota has these lights.

Air Force air traffic controllers follow the same guidelines as the Federal Aviation Administration controllers.

"According to the FAA, we have specific requirements on maintaining a clear zone, also known as the safety zone, during aircraft takeoffs and landings," said Sergeant Hauger. "This requirement is not only for the safety of the aircraft, but for people on the ground as well."

The traffic lights are used to cordon off the clear zone. Even though they can be bothersome, people should have patience while dealing with this unique feature of Yokota, he said.

"We seem to see a lot of people running the lights or stopping between them when they are activated," said Sergeant Hauger. "Mostly people seem to stop during retreat right on the overrun, which forces us to send an aircraft around."

These actions are also illegal and people could face penalties for these offenses.

"Running the flashing red is equivalent to running a stop light and drivers will be cited and can lose four points off their license," said Staff Sgt. Rosa Rodriguez, 374th Security Forces Squadron Reports and Analysis NCOIC. "This is important to know, because if a driver receives three tickets in one year or loses 12 points off their license their driving privileges will be suspended anywhere from 60 days to six months."

Yokota members should remember they are on an Air Force base with a very vital mission.

"The base's mission will always come first here," said Sergeant Hauger. "The only thing higher on the priority list, other than the mission, is ensuring safe flying operations."