During December’s severe weather, Maintenance and Operations employees worked to ensure safety at King County International Airport – Boeing Field (KCIA). While ice coated planes and froze the region, the short runway was closed for about a day and a half and the main runway was closed for about six hours.
There were some diversions of flights, forcing UPS to fly to Spokane and Salt Lake City. Once the runway reopened, the aircraft from Spokane flew to BFI to continue their operations.
Photo: A Kenmore Air Caravan during the freezing rain last month.
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“We saw snow, sleet, ice and mixed precipitation, challenging us to adjust frequently,” said Raleigh Salazar, Maintenance Supervisor.
The airport activated the Snow Team response on December 17 with Airport Operations and Maintenance crews transitioning to 12-hour shifts the morning of December 18. During the seven-day event, Snow teams combined mechanical and chemical means to combat the weather that hit the airfield and threatened to close it numerous times.
Photo: Crews clear snow and ice with a huge "snow broom."
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In total, crews used 10,250 gallons of deicer fluid and 54.5 tons of solid deicer product to keep the airfield operational as much as was safely possible. The snow response deactivated December 24, allowing crews to get home for Christmas Eve with families.
Photo: An Operations truck was many of several types of vehicles on duty.
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After a UPS semi-truck accidentally struck a low hanging tree branch late one December night, blocking the main airport exit and one lane on Airport Way South, airport employees responded immediately. Sandy Trevino and Jonathan Moseley, Airport Maintenance employees, cut the tree into pieces with a chain saw.
Sergeant Graydon Matheson of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) responded and provided traffic safety while Aaron Ison and Erick Araiza, Operations employees, coordinated with 911 dispatch and all departments involved.
The scene was cleared and re-opened within 30 minutes!
Photo: Sandy Trevino makes quick work of the downed tree branch.
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Anoop Dhillon, receptionist/badging specialist, recently passed the American Association of Airport Executives’ Airport Certified Employee (ACE) course to become a Trusted Agent. This certification is designed to establish the knowledge base for professionals working in the Airport Credentialing Office. It helps the employee better understand the complexities and requirements of complying with security requirements. The program consists of a thorough training program and a comprehensive examination at the end of the course. Congratulations, Anoop!
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Congratulations to these airport employees who have completed the American Association of Airport Executives’ Certified Member (C.M.) program:
- Erick Araiza, Airport Duty Manager
- Clint Herman, Sergeant, ARFF
- Donald McClendon, Supervisor, Maintenance
- Jorge Sanchez Yubero, Capital Project Manager
To become a C.M., a member must successfully complete a 180-question, multiple-choice examination. This designation signifies that employees have a diverse knowledge of how an airport operates.
Welcome to Evan Larson, who joins KCIA as an airport duty manager this month.
Larson brings a decade of experience in the aviation industry, working at Sea-Tac International Airport in various roles including ground service, the TSA, Airport Customer Service, and Airport Operations. His most recent role was as an Airport Duty Manager where he helped oversee day-to-day operations along with supporting $20 million in terminal projects.
“As someone who has primarily commercial experience, one of the topics I am most excited about learning at KCIA is general aviation,” Larson said. "I am also greatly looking forward to learning/growing with my team members and the skilled professionals at KCIA and King County!”
He has a bachelor’s degree in aviation business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
His hobbies include weightlifting and hiking in the summer. He is also an avid gamer and casual follower of football.
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Austin Peterson joined Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting at King County International Airport in December. A deputy sheriff with the King County Sheriff’s Office, he is scheduled to start the Fire Academy in February and then will add firefighter to his qualifications.
“I am very happy for the change,” Peterson said. “The people I’ve met here on Boeing Field have been a breath of fresh air.”
As a deputy sheriff, Peterson worked in southeast unincorporated King County, Burien, and SeaTac for seven years. He has an associate degree in Administration of Justice from Highline Community College.
He has lived in the Puget Sound area for most of his life, with childhood spent between Wyoming and White Center.
“I love spending time outdoors, exploring the mountain roads, and going to the lakes in the area. I try take my Jeep further in the snow than anyone else has every winter,” Peterson said. “My wife just had our first child this last November, so spending time with our son is our newest favorite thing to do.”
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