Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
Several military aircraft were flying within the designated refueling track. Two of the aircraft were tankers; one of which requested to depart back to base and requested a climb to 39;000 FT. That aircraft was given the requested clearance. Shortly after the other tanker reported he was responding to an RA and would be back within the assigned block altitude shortly. No other aircraft were involved and both aircraft continued on without further incident. Working military aircraft is an uncommon event in our airspace and there has always been some sort of confusion as to how to properly clear military aircraft apart and out of the active airspace. In this event it involved much more than just two aircraft that were flying inside of this airspace. The only recommendation is that controllers need a definitive answer and training on what exactly to do in these instances; especially when it is uncommon in our specific airspace.
ZAU Controller described a TCAS RA event involving a military tanker operation break up maneuver. The reporter suggested increased training for facility personnel covering these types of procedures.