Army Air Traffic Services Command

The Army Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM) is a unit of the US Army that provides airspace and air traffic support to army bases and other commands globally. The command certifies air traffic controllers for the service, inspects airfields,^[1] ensures safe aircraft operations in installation air space as well as civilian air space at home and internationally.^[2]

The unit began in 1956 as the Army Aviation Operation Detachment (AAOD) under the Continental Army Command (CONARC) to assist aviation units to operate at night and in bad weather conditions. United States Army Air Traffic Control Activity (USAATCA) grew during the Vietnam War as army aviation grew to meet the needs of the fighting force and was based at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

In 1986, USAATCA was moved to Fort Rucker, Alabama. In August of 1990 the Army needed better air traffic control in Saudi Arabia due to the buildup for Operation Dessert Storm and USAATCA sent the 256th Signal Support Company to inspect all air traffic control sites in the region.^[3] As USAATCA improved Army ATC sites, they also needed to cooperate with U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Center (TACC) as operations increased.^[3]

In 1995 the Vice Chief of Staff approved of a separate command for air traffic services. In 2003, ATSCOM was officially created.

The command flies the C-12S Hurons from Beechcraft for air field flight inspection and calibration missions.^[1][4][5]

On December 5, 2025 was moved under the command of the United States Army Western Hemisphere Command as part of a larger reorganization of the US Army.^[6]