SAME Midlands – February Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, 10 February 2026 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
WHERE:
RAPCON Facility (Building 1997)
402 Lark Rd
Shaw AFB, SC 29152
WHAT: Tour Shaw AFB’s New Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) Facility
**Box lunches will be provided for registered attendees**
February’s monthly meeting takes us behind the scenes at Shaw Air Force Base with an exclusive tour of the base’s brand new Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) facility.
Operated by the 20th Operational Support Squadron, RAPCON is the nerve center for air traffic around Shaw AFB. The team manages everything from ground operations up to 17,000 feet, guiding F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft, coordinating closely with the base air traffic control tower, and keeping Class C and D airspace running safely and efficiently.
This state-of-the-art facility replaces the previous RAPCON and represents a FY23 MILCON investment, a congressionally authorized and appropriated military construction project critical to sustaining daily flight operations.
Members of the base NAVFAC team and the 20 OSS will lead the tour, offering rare insight into the mission, technology, and infrastructure that keep Shaw AFB flying.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Please respond to Ashley Nichols, ashley.nichols.3@us.af.mil or 251-545-7402, (cell) by COB Wednesday, February 4, 2026, if you plan to attend. This will allow processing time for new parties requesting base access. If your information was previously provided for last year’s ARCENT tour, contact me and I can gather from the previous data.
Please register in advance, so we can accommodate everyone.
$15 for current/former military & govt employees
$20 advance registration for others
Students free (advance registration required)