ZAU controller described a TCAS RA event involving a military tanker operation break up maneuver. Th...

Narrative:

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.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: 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.

Narrative: 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.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1016568
Time
Date	201206
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZAU.ARTCC
State Reference	IL
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Stratolifter (C-135)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

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.