I would not be here today if it wasn’t for a certain Airways Facilities (AF) technician…my Dad, Keith Messina.  He worked at Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center in Florida.  This is a picture of him at the FAA Academy- Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He was so cool with his knee high socks, short shorts, and BluBlocker Sunglasses. 

 AF is responsible for the maintenance, calibration, and upkeep of all air traffic control equipment and facilities.  It is an important role that affects the safety and efficiency of National Airspace System, and without them, we as controllers could not do our job.  “They’re the guy behind the guy.”  Their thankless position and unrecognized expertise is always available to our profession. 

In the blind side of the aviation community, AF also maintains most of the nations navigational aids and instrument landing systems.  The FAA technicians’ job seems to be taken for granted, but I for one recognize and appreciate their efforts, especially when they make my job easier.