Agency certifies new instrument landing system

Published April 14, 2007
By Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- A new instrument landing system aiding flight safety at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing was certified by Air Force Flight Standards Agency Tuesday, completing a collaborative project in the works since 2005.

The instrument landing system is a precision approach system serving as the pilot's eyes when aircrews cannot see the runway due to low visibility from heavy mist or dust storms. An antenna tower located at the end of the runway sends information to aircrews on how far the physical surface of the runway is from the aircraft during descent, said Master Sgt. Timothy Cavin, 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron project manager.

A host nation instrument landing system already existed on one end of the runway, but a second U.S. operated system was needed because the direction of the landing pattern depends on wind conditions.

Airmen from AFFSA flew a modified CL-60 Challenger on low level approaches using on-board instrumentation to calibrate the instrument landing system while passing the tower.

The equipment communicates with the ILS on the ground for calibration, ensuring the navigational aid meets certification standards. These Airmen travel all around the area of responsibility working with navigational aids such as the ILS, said Lt. Col. William Tart, 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron commander.

The multi-organization project, led by the 379th ECS, included a wide range of support from other units.

The 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and poured the concrete for the ILS tower's foundation after the termination of a contract with a host nation contractor due to the failure to perform, said Lt. Col. Jennifer Kilbourn, 379th ECES commander.

Project manager engineers, electricians, heavy equipment operators and pavement experts dove into the plans to quickly provide the infrastructure necessary to bring the ILSon line as soon as possible. Trenches were dug for the installation of power cables, and several high-strength concrete pads foundations for the ILS equipment were constructed, Colonel Kilbourn said.

"The unfortunate situation with the original contractor defaulting for poor performance was transformed into a tremendous success story. To bring this project to the finish line required multi-functional area coordination and enthusiasm, ultimately providing increased flying safety operations during inclement weather," she said.

The 379th EOSS worked with the International Civil Aviation Organization, the host nation Air Force, the Combined Air Operations Center A3A and representatives from USAFE to develop the specifications for aircraft approach. Both the 379th ECS and 379th EOSS worked with contractors and host nation Air Force personnel to set correct frequencies and calibrate the system, Colonel Tart said.

"Aircrews are used to using ILS approaches in bad weather and low visibility all over the world because they have been the standard for a long time," Colonel Tart said. "Due to the hard work of multiple squadrons on a very complicated process, this navigational aid will be no different. It'll be the standard for a long time."