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How can you arrest a jet?
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Posted on May 18 2012
TINIAN—U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, expeditionary airfield technicians, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force have begun surveying the land around Tinian’s West Field airfield during Exercise Geiger Fury 2012 on May 16.
The technicians survey the land in order to properly place the emergency arresting gear.
“In order for us to be able to land jets at this airfield we must have the arresting set in place properly,” said Lance Cpl. Devin J. Ward, MAG-12,MWSS-171, expeditionary airfield technician. “If an engine goes out or a jet needs to make an emergency landing then they have to drop there hook and latch on to the arresting gear so they can slow down and ensure that the plane will not take off again.”
The arresting gear is counterweighted to the ground by large metal stakes driven deeply into the earth in a spider web fashion in order to ensure maximum weight distribution.
In order to operate the airfield properly and safely the arresting gear must be emplaced correctly and firmly.
“If the arresting gear is not firmly attached to the ground then when a plane tries to hook up, the speed and weight of the jet could completely uproot the arresting gear,” said Lance Cpl. Dakota J. Clark MAG-12, MWSS-171 expeditionary airfield technician. “It is a very delicate process. If it isn’t done right the first time then there could be a very destructive and costly consequence.”
The arresting gear is an absolute necessity before planes can land on the airfields of Tinian.
“No arresting gear, no planes,” said Ward. “We have to be able to ensure that the planes can land safely under any circumstance.”
The actions and progression of MWSS-171, MAG-12 has ensured the operations capabilities of the Tinian airfields during Exercise Geiger Fury 2012 will be able to perform to its fullest potential though out the entirety of the exercise.
