Aircraft Base Radio Operator

ABRO decorative banner: photos depicting ABRO position. ABRO Position Description: The Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO) reports to the Helibase Manager or Fixed-Wing Base Manager and is responsible for establishing communication between incident assigned aircraft and airbases, Air Tactical Group Supervisor, Air Operations Branch Director, and the Takeoff and Landing Coordinator.

abro Homepage Button Position Incident Position Description Button Position Reference Materials Button Position Qualification Requirements Button

ABRO Incident Position Description

The Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO) serves as a member of an aircraft base staff, assisting the Helibase Manager (HEBM), Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM), and/or Fixed Wing Base Manager (FWBM) in the performance and completion of aircraft missions. The ABRO reports to the HEBM, ATBM, and/or FWBM and works in the Aviation functional area.
Click here to comment on this IPD

Prepare and Mobilize

  • Ensure individual readiness.
  • Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
  • Travel to and checks in at assignment.
  • Review Base Operations Plan and obtain initial briefing from supervisor.

Build the Team

  • Conduct self in a professional manner.
  • Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
  • Use Incident Command System (ICS) terminology, organization, and command structure.
  • Participate in proficiency checks and drills.
  • Calculate amount and type of additional supplies and equipment required and obtain through established ordering procedures. Ensure adequate staffing is in place for anticipated or expected activity.

Lead, Supervise, Direct

  • Model leadership values and principles. Provide positive influence. Emphasize teamwork.
  • Follow and communicate objectives, priorities, work assignments, and performance expectations.
  • Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
  • Adjust actions based on changing information and evolving situation awareness. Communicate changing conditions to assigned resources and supervisor.

Perform Aircraft Base Radio Operator Position-Specific Duties

  • Assist supervisor in ensuring operational readiness of aircraft base.
  • Check functionality of assigned radios prior to daily operations.
  • Operate multiple radios (AM, FM, VHF) simultaneously.
  • Verify radio frequencies daily with supervisor and notify them if additional frequencies are needed.
  • Use current flight following software.
  • Flight follow aircraft using the identified procedures and maintain a log of aircraft takeoffs, landings, estimated time of arrival (ETA), estimated time of departure (ETD), and flight route check-ins.

Communicate and Coordinate

  • Communicate using ICS terminology and clear text.
  • Obtain daily or more frequent briefings from supervisor.
  • Coordinate aircraft departures from base with appropriate aerial supervision or dispatch.
  • Maintain communication with appropriate incident functions including, but not limited to dispatch, logistics, helispots, or incident aircraft.
  • Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
  • Communicate changing conditions to supervisor.
  • Participate in daily briefing and/or functional area briefings and After Action Review (AAR).

Manage Risk

  • Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461:
    • Identify Hazards.
    • Assess Hazards.
    • Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions.
    • Implement Controls.
    • Supervise and Evaluate.
  • Report hazards, injuries, incidents, and accidents to supervisor immediately.
  • Review the helibase crash rescue plan, incident medical plan, NWCG Aviation Mishap Response Guide, PMS 503, and/or local emergency response plan and compete a scenario-based exercise for overdue aircraft, missing aircraft, or other aviation mishaps. Manage the medical emergency based on procedures stated in the Medical Incident Report, helibase crash rescue plan, and/or other relevant guidelines.
  • Implement the SAFECOM process when necessary.

Document

  • Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
  • Ensure forms/logs are appropriate to assignment complexity.
  • Acquire and post necessary materials and documents in the work area for reference.

Demobilize

  • Follow demobilization instructions from supervisor.
  • Check out with incident or dispatch to demobilize.
  • Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures and work/rest standards are followed.
PRINT IPD

 

Return to the top

 

 

Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2021-07-12

Please Provide Feedback

NWCG values your constructive input and we thank you for taking the time to provide feedback.

Although contact information is optional, we hope that you provide a way for us to contact you in case we need clarification on your comment. If you would like to be contacted regarding your feedback, you must provide contact information. 

If you would like a response, you must provide contact information below.
More information
  • Files must be less than 2 MB.
  • Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png pdf.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.