ZLC controller described a loss of separation event when a military tanker; participating with a fli...

Narrative:

When I took over the position; I was briefed about a altrv flight that would come through sector 5 later in the shift. On the briefing sheet; it said all aircraft would be marsa. A flight of F16's entered sector 5 from hif (west of sector) in block altitude FL240 to FL260. Two minutes later; a K35R entered from the south of sector 5 at FL280 requesting FL260. Initially; without realizing he was part of the altrv; I replied 'unable due to traffic crossing over ocs; several F16's; to which the aircraft said that he was the tanker looking to join the altrv with the F16's over ocs. I advised K35R of F16's position and cleared him to FL260. I then advised K35R to advise when marsa with F16's. As the group of F16's and the K35R neared ocs; I once again inquired if K35R was marsa with the the F16's and gave a position report of the F16's. K35R replied negative marsa and I issued and expedited climb to K35R to FL270 to miss the F16's. I then placed a 'halo' on K35R target and it appeared that the lead F16 target may have entered the 'halo' or at least got very close. It was difficult to tell per the scope range was at 165. Shortly thereafter K35R declared marsa and said he was having radio issues and that was the reason for delayed marsa. Recommendation; don't assume that because a participating aircraft is requesting the altrv altitude that he/she will be able to declare marsa before separation is lost.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZLC Controller described a loss of separation event when a military tanker; participating with a flight of F16's in a ALTRV exercise; did not declare MARSA prior to losing separation with the flight of fighters.

Narrative: When I took over the position; I was briefed about a ALTRV flight that would come through Sector 5 later in the shift. On the briefing sheet; it said all aircraft would be MARSA. A flight of F16's entered Sector 5 from HIF (West of sector) in block altitude FL240 to FL260. Two minutes later; a K35R entered from the South of Sector 5 at FL280 requesting FL260. Initially; without realizing he was part of the ALTRV; I replied 'unable due to traffic crossing over OCS; several F16's; to which the aircraft said that he was the tanker looking to join the ALTRV with the F16's over OCS. I advised K35R of F16'S position and cleared him to FL260. I then advised K35R to advise when MARSA with F16'S. As the group of F16's and the K35R neared OCS; I once again inquired if K35R was MARSA with the the F16's and gave a position report of the F16's. K35R replied negative MARSA and I issued and expedited climb to K35R to FL270 to miss the F16's. I then placed a 'HALO' on K35R target and it appeared that the lead F16 target may have entered the 'HALO' or at least got very close. It was difficult to tell per the scope range was at 165. Shortly thereafter K35R declared MARSA and said he was having radio issues and that was the reason for delayed MARSA. Recommendation; don't assume that because a participating aircraft is requesting the ALTRV altitude that he/she will be able to declare MARSA before separation is lost.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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	910621
Time
Date	201009
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZLC.ARTCC
State Reference	UT
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Stratolifter (C-135)/Stratotanker (KC-135)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Fighting Falcon F16
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 Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

ZLC controller described a loss of separation event when a military tanker; participating with a flight of F16's in a altrv exercise; did not declare marsa prior to losing separation with the flight of fighters.