No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron monitor a tactical airfield within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. The 378th EOSS routinely practices landing zone operations to hone skills required to rapidly provide insertion of personnel and equipment, even in the most austere of locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman David Giraldo, 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron air traffic control liaison officer, monitors a tactical airfield within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. Air traffic controllers utilize night vision goggles to accurately assess airfield conditions when controlling airspace and airfields in blackout conditions, ensuring the ability to remain ready and conduct operations at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron communicate with an HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, as it passes over a tactical airfield within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. Using a PRC-152 handheld radio, air traffic controllers communicate with pilots to inform them of airfield conditions as they prepare to land on tactical airfields prepared in austere environments. The 378th EOSS maintains its readiness for any threat or mission objective by routinely practicing operations under unconventional conditions and on tactical airfields. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron flies over a tactical airfield within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. The 26th ERQS utilizes the HC-130J Combat King II in line with the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment initiative to project combat power from dispersed locations, rapidly unload cargo and personnel, and conduct operations in austere locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron unloads cargo during a landing zone operation training within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. The HC‑130J Combat King II’s diverse mission set of night operations, airdrops, aerial refueling, and Combat Search and Rescue missions make it an ideal airframe to use as part of the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment strategy of generating airpower under threat, in less-than-ideal conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman David Giraldo, 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron air traffic control liaison officer, takes measurements to mark and create a tactical airfield within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. The 378th EOSS air traffic controller team constructed a modified AMP-3, Box and Box airfield lighting setup, which is a specific type of airfield marking used for unconventional airfields and landing zones, enabling operations to continue in austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lucus French, 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron assistant chief controller tower liaison, hammers a metal stake into the ground within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. The stakes secure mobile airfield lights which signify the end of the runway, touchdown areas and landing thresholds, enabling pilots to land in unconventional areas to ensure mission success regardless of the operational environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Lisa-Marie McKinney, and Senior Airman Isabella Sotelo, 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron air traffic control liaison officers, secure a mobile runway light to a metal stake within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. The lights provide visual guidance for pilots during approach and landing, making it safer to land in remote or otherwise inaccessible locations on both prepared and unprepared surfaces, enabling operations to be conducted around the AOR regardless of available infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lucus French, 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron assistant chief controller tower liaison, monitors a tactical airfield within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. Air traffic controllers utilize night vision goggles to accurately assess airfield conditions when controlling airspace and airfields in blackout conditions, ensuring the ability to remain ready and conduct operations at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Lisa-Marie McKinney, 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron air traffic control liaison officer, secures a mobile runway light to a metal stake within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. The mobile lights are small, durable and lightweight units that can be quickly set up to mark a temporary landing zone for aircraft, which enable operations with minimal support, as part of the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment strategy of generating combat airpower from dispersed locations under threat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)

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No runway? No problem! The 378th EOSS hone LZ operation skills

Published July 15, 2025
By Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger
378th Air Expeditionary Wing

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY -- U.S. Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron monitor a tactical airfield within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 6, 2025. The 378th EOSS routinely practices landing zone operations to hone skills required to rapidly provide insertion of personnel and equipment, even in the most austere of locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)