Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 9
Confusion; Workload; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
The DOD was doing radar testing reference windmill interference. They scheduled this testing during the sectors busiest time of the year. During this time of year we have AFPs in place to control the level of traffic in and out of the sector; we also will decline equipment outages for the volume. As an FLM; I was told about the testing a week in advance and told the Airspace and Procedures office this was the worst possible time; my OM also told them this. The response we got was there was a lot of planning and coordination done prior to the event and we weren't allowed to say no. To summarize; the test involved several VFR aircraft around the BKX airport one above 10000 [feet] without transponders or Mode C. They were also planning an aircraft without transponder and Mode C to fly in the flight levels. The day that I worked R33; I was an FLM as well. The NOM (National Operations Manager) requested radar search for the test. I denied it based on traffic. I was told by my OMIC (Operations Manager In Charge) that I couldn't as it was owned by the DOD and it was their equipment and don't worry about it the search out is transparent. Later; I worked the sector and the DOD did something with the radar that created false targets; target jumps and a loss of radar. It happened probably 5 or 6 times within 20 minutes with a return to normal after approximately 30 seconds to 2 minutes. I was busy at the low altitude sector and so was our high altitude sector. I am not aware of any other days during this test that this happened.If we as a facility find a need to incorporate an AFP for a large traffic volume event; we should be able to decline equipment outages and experiments. I have attached a briefing sheet from a different day then the one I am referring just to assist with information.
ZMP FLM reports of a shift where the DOD was testing a radar system reference windmill interference. The radar system created false targets; target jumping; and a loss of radar.