What is a necessary action before maneuvering vehicles on the airfield?

Notifying the control tower before maneuvering vehicles on the airfield is crucial for maintaining safety and coordination in an area where aircraft operations are taking place. The control tower oversees all movements on the airfield, including vehicle traffic, and provides necessary instructions to ensure that vehicles and aircraft do not interfere with each other. This communication is vital to prevent accidents, as airfields can be busy environments with multiple aircraft movements happening simultaneously.

The control tower's oversight includes issuing clearances, ensuring that all personnel follow established protocols, and making real-time decisions to facilitate safe operations. By notifying the tower, vehicle operators contribute to the overall safety management system of the airfield, aligning with the principles of aviation safety where air and ground operations must be coordinated effectively to mitigate risks.

Engaging in actions like checking fuel levels, obtaining permissions from security, or conducting a safety briefing, while important in their respective contexts, do not address the immediate need for communication with the control tower, which is integral to successful airfield operations.