Squadron Leader Andrew ‘Daisy’ Butterfield – USAF A3A (Afghanistan) - HQ ISAF

With 50% of all civilian and military air incidents occurring in tactical airspace, Sqn Ldr Andrew ‘Daisy’ Butterfield’s role in ISAF HQ, is vital for Flight Safety, “It’s pointless protecting 18 year old soldiers on the ground if they’re going to be killed in an air accident”, which is a very valid point.

Butterfield is an Air Traffic Control Officer embedded within a USAF team who are responsible for monitoring current and future airspace conflicts and helping to alleviate them. As part of his duties, Sqn Ldr Butterfield visits airspace users and airfield operators throughout the country to find out their concerns before returning to Kabul where he tries to find a workable solution that suits both the ground scheme of manoeuvre and the wishes of Afghan Government Officials within the Ministry of Transport. “It can be quite surreal to go from wearing full battle order one day to wearing a business suit the next but this type of liaison is particularly important as use of the skies over Afghanistan is increasing rapidly, with both military and civilian flights vying for primacy.”

One particular problem investigated by the Sqn Ldr concerned Bost Lashkar Gah Airfield, where Task Force Helmand was having major problems with civilian aircraft overflying the military helicopter landing site on final approach to the runway. “We were concerned that the risk of collision was growing rapidly so after visiting Lashkar Gah and the airfield itself we had a better picture to take to the officials at the Ministry. Ministry officials took the matter very seriously and they contacted airline operators immediately and told them to cease flying in the vicinity of the landing site. It was a good example of how we could use our unique position to bring matters to a safe conclusion”.

Another instance described by Sqn Ldr Butterfield concerned US operations in Khost Province, on the Pakistan border “ US forces were getting hit hard by insurgents from neighbouring North Waziristan and wanted to protect the runway from attack using Hesco barriers; unfortunately, these would have prevented a C-130 aircraft from landing. After spending some time on-site, my team were able to find an effective solution that would prevent attack but not affect Flight Safety”.

Sqn Ldr Butterfield has thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Coalition personnel. “I worked with US forces during my Tactical Air Traffic Controller days and I have always wanted to experience operations as a full embed. This deployment has allowed me to witness how the war is fought in many different regions from many different perspectives and I have been very impressed with my colleagues’ dedication and professionalism”.

Editor: Sqn Ldr S N Moore.

Photography: Corporal Dave Blackburn RAF.