Air traffic controllers might have the most mentally taxing job at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. When on duty, controllers are responsible for billions of dollars of aircraft and equipment, not to mention lives on the ground and in the air.

“In one day, people in the tower probably are responsible for the lives of more people than any one person will be in their entire lives,” Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby Wright said.

Wright, a tower supervisor, calls his work area “The Fishbowl.”

It’s an apt description. The tiny space is surrounded by huge windows on all sides. “Spectacular” describes the view on a sunny day. Views from water to mountains as well as movement on the base command attention — at least when nothing’s flying.

When “birds” are in the air, every attention is focused on the job.

“Tower controllers have the best office space on Whidbey Island,” Chief Petty Officer Ken Gentry said.

Gentry works local controI. He is responsible for aircraft from the runway to other airspace. Ault Field’s airspace ranges five nautical miles (5.75 statute miles) and goes from the ground to 2,000 feet.

Inside, there’s little room to maneuver. Consoles of equipment topped with more computers and gauges take three of six sides. Four controllers man stations and sweep binoculars around, locating planes and people. One recent day, three of the four stations had trainees. In maybe four short steps, a person could cover the floor, as long as they sidestepped chairs and other people.

In such tight quarters, where they typically spend up to eight hours but never more than 10, people must work well with others and not be bothered by stress, pressure or fast-paced days.

“Air traffic control is not for the weak of heart,” Wright said. “We’re adrenaline junkies.”

Their margin of error is very small. Mistakes can’t happen or someone dies, Wright and Gentry say.

In the first six months of 2004, the tower has handled 43,089 flights. When radar-handled flights are counted, the average annual facility operations level hovers at 190,000.

Wright said the degree of concentration required mentally drains people by the end of a shift. Luckily, controllers can look at weather conditions and flight schedules and know how busy they will be and when, so quick breaks can be taken.

At Whidbey Island, tower controllers need strong knees to withstand the walking and climbing required to get to work. From offices, controllers must walk a quarter-mile to reach the hangar that houses the tower. Multiple flights of stairs and passageways lead to an almost vertical ladder before reaching the tower.

Hiking and climbing will end this fall when a new, $3.4 million control tower opens complete with an elevator. New, updated equipment will await controllers.

“What we do won’t change,” Wright said. “How we do our jobs will.”

Controllers are looking forward to the new tower’s larger area — it has almost twice the space as the current tower. The new tower is much taller, but stairs and ladders won’t be an issue. The new tower has an elevator and rest rooms. Currently, controllers on a break must head down the ladder to the hangar to find relief. And then they must head right back up.

The tower is fully staffed from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Other hours depend on mission requirements. When the airspace is empty, controllers train and study. The 16-week school teaches them the bare bones of air traffic control. The rest they learn on the job and the learning never stops. Wright said information comes regularly and controllers must keep up with new data.

Although his job requires constant study and mental challenges, Wright wouldn’t change what he does.

“I have the best job — with the best view — in the Navy,” Wright said as he watched Prowlers refuel for another round of carrier landing practice.