374th CES and U.S. Marines complete annual Aircraft Arresting System certification

Photo By Machiko Arita | Senior Airman Nicholas Allen, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron power production journeyman, gives hand signals to Aircraft Arresting System (AAS) operators after an annual certification test at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan 6, 2023. The certification guaranteed proper function of the AAS when the aircraft cannot perform a standard landing during a real world emergency. The AAS is a cable designed to catch the arresting hooks attached to the tail of an aircraft, which creates a safe deceleration when landing in short distances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Machiko Arita)  

FUSSA, TOKYO, JAPAN

01.06.2023

Story by Machiko Arita 

374th Airlift Wing

Airmen from the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 374th Operations Support Squadron completed an annual Aircraft Arresting System (AAS) certification with Marines deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, on January 6, 2023, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Marines assigned to VMFA 312 provided several F/A-18C Hornet fighter aircraft and attached aircraft maintainer crews for the 374th Airlift Wing to conduct the certification.

An AAS can save lives in cases where a pilot is unable to stop their aircraft during landing. In those extreme cases, the arresting system initiates to also prevent any potential damage to the aircraft itself or other airfield equipment by stopping it on the runway.

The certification ensured the AAS system at Yokota Air Base was functioning properly, and enabled the base to sustain the ability to support U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter assets as the premiere airlift hub in the Indo-Pacific.

• Date Taken: 01.06.2023
• Date Posted: 01.18.2023 01:04
• Story ID: 436802
• Location: FUSSA, TOKYO, JP