"One of the best parts of my job is that I spend my day moving metal through the sky with my voice," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael B. Aguilera, a Harlingen, Texas native, and one of the Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center (AATCC) Watch Officers onboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).

Air traffic controllers play a key role in the effective use of naval airpower throughout the world in operational and training environments. They control the movement of aircraft and vehicles on airfield taxiways and issue flight instructions to pilots by radio. Aguilera's responsibilities include organizing and expediting the flow of air traffic on the ship using radio, radar and other signaling devices. They also provide pilots with critical information on other air traffic, navigation systems and airfield conditions essential to safe operations.

In addition, he operates and adjusts computer-based shipboard controlled navigation and radar approach systems, interprets data from radar screens and plots aircraft positions, all while maintaining aeronautical charts and publications.

"Bataan is the first ship I have been assigned to. It was challenging for me to come here as a second class petty officer," said Aguilera, "The amount of responsibility expected of me was greater than when I reported to my first command as a seaman, so I had to hit the ground running in order to complete all of my in-rate and shipboard qualifications quickly."

Aguilera said he enlisted at age of 21 because he wanted something more for his life and doesn't regret his decision. In his position now, he works directly with the air boss, navigator, officer of the deck and sometimes even the commanding officer.

Aguilera is committed to his job and his career, aiming to make himself a better candidate for advancement and a better Sailor.

After his time in the Navy is complete, Aguilera is thinking about pursuing a position with the Federal Aviation Administration, or with the Department of Defense as an air traffic controller.

"I love this job way to much not to do it when I get out of the Navy," said Aguilera. "I can't think of a better way to spend my day than making sure pilots are safe in the sky."




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