Fighting Falcon F16
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
Relieving Controller advised me that Shirley was hot Alpha; Bravo; and Charlie. We then finish the position briefing and operated as if nothing was wrong. Aircraft were getting routed around the MOA/ATCA and I assume all was normal until just prior to Shirley going cold there was a question about the status of Charlie. My FLM asked me if Charlie was hot. My answer was 'affirmative; it has been for about an hour.' At this point he disappeared to the TMU office to ask questions. A TMU supervisor and my FLM returned. They begin to tell me that Charlie area cannot be active without 1 hour prior notice for publishing a NOTAM. This is clearly a large safety violation on someone's part as there were 8 fighters dog fighting in this MOA today. I feel like it should be investigated and learned from. The flying public would certainly have been at risk had they been in this airspace at the same time as these high performance aircraft. Communicate! There was a lack of communication between the military and our airspace personnel. This activity was not even scheduled to my knowledge. Also the controllers working the aircraft that were requesting the airspace need to be made aware of these requirements and learn the procedures.
ZME Controller described a failed coordination event when military fighters were conducting maneuvers in a MOA that was considered 'cold'.