Going to See the Wizard is what we call it when you get the opportunity to take a tour of the Flight Control Tower here at the Air Field. Some friends and I 
were lucky enough to have a connection, giving us access to the tower. We met up with Dave, a former Navy Air Traffic Controller who now works as the supervisor of the Control Tower here at KAF. He was a very nice, older man, who obviously enjoys being a tour guide in addition to his current job.
To access the control room of the seven story tower, you have to climb up 14 flights of stairs because there is no elevator, only a utility hoist up to the top.
We definitely got our workout! The building of the tower was funded by NATO and was just completed the end of March. Prior to this, the tower was essentially a shack, one-quarter of the size of the new tower with several blind spots. The new tower provides for better visibility and operational control.
The tower is staffed 24/7 by 3-4 staff members employed by ATC Midwest, a company contracted by NATO. One person is assigned to Ground Control, one
is assigned to Air Traffic Control and the third person is responsible for administrative tasks and paperwork.
While we were up in the tower, we were able to see a C-130 take off, several helicopters practicing take-offs and landings and two RAF Tornados (British jets) take off. I went out on the cat-walk outside to watch the jets take off and they are so loud that you can feel your lungs rattle inside your body. I will miss the
sound of the jets when I leave KAF; no matter how many times I have heard it and watched those jets take off, it is still exciting each and every time! And there is no where in the states that a civilian person can be that close to a jet taking off.
The visibility was so good that we could see all of the mountain ranges on all side so of KAF, even the ones 
in Pakistan. We could also see outside of the base into Kandahar city. I took a picture of the mosque that is just on the other side of the wall. This was a really great experience and I am grateful to the Midwest staff members for allowing us to temporarily intrude on their world.
My Great Adventure into the Sandbox 
Krista, what an amazing blog. We enjoyed looking at all the pictures. We have been in the tower in Buffalo, but nothing like that. Thank you for telling us about it and sending the pictures.
Be safe and happy!
Love you, Marita and Erhard
Yeah — rattle them lungs, baby! Even your pacifist old man gets excited when one of those beasts roars over head. That’s my favorite part of the Ashland July 4th parade. It’s primal. Glad you had a chance to visit the KAF tower and stand out there on the catwalk. Memorable, huh?
Krista!
I have been following your adventures, I just saw that you got the good news about going back to Bellingham. I am excited for you and sad for us:( I guess this means you won’t be coming back to VM- although I don’t know that you would have wanted to after all of your new adventures. Hope you are well and healthy.
Lara
Hi Krista! Just read your last three blogs and am very happy you will be returning to Bellingham soon! Great news! I am looking so forward to seeing you back home. Do you know when you will be back? For Valentine’s Day, I will be going to Umi on 1st Ave and will be thinking of you and sending you my best wishes. Happy belated birthday! The necklace and rug both sound like beautiful gifts to yourself. Thank you for all that you do. Sending my love to you, Margaret Walser, RN, CRU.