Photo By Dana Heard | Airman First Class Joshua Spore, 55th Operations Support Squadron Radar, Airfield, and...... read more read more
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Nebraska weather can be unpredictable and can cause challenges for pilots when landing aircraft Offutt runway. The End-Fire Glide Slope Antenna System has been an important part of flight safety at since it was installed in 2010.
A glide slope helps pilots land safely by guiding them at the correct angle, especially when it’s dark or visibility is poor. Most glide slopes need flat land to work properly, but Offutt’s runway is surrounded by hills, buildings, and other obstacles; because of this, the base needs the end-fire glide slope.
“The end-fire glide slope works even if the ground isn’t flat and has a smaller area that needs to be clear of obstacles,” said Master Sgt. Justin Gambon, 55th Operations Support Squadron radar, airfield, and weather systems section chief. “It was the perfect fit for Offutt’s airfield.”
The EFGS at Offutt is taken care of by the RAWS Airmen in the 55th OSS. Before the runway reopened in September 2022, crews worked hard to make the system even more reliable. They dug up and replaced hundreds of feet of underground cables, making sure everything was in top condition.
“It feels great to be part of something that directly impacts flight safety,” said Senior Airman Reed Boerboom, 55th OSS RAWS supervisor. “We make sure the system is working perfectly so pilots can land safely.”
The EFGS is designed for runways in places with little flat land, like mountainsides, near water, or in crowded cities. Unlike other glide slope systems, it doesn’t need the ground to reflect signals, which means it works well even near water or uneven terrain.
“It works great—we haven’t had any problems with it at all,” said Senior Airman Joshua Spore, 55th OSS RAWS technician. “It’s good to have a system that gives a steady, reliable signal.”
Since the EFGS doesn’t need special ground preparation like other systems, it saves airports a lot of money, often over a million dollars. It also takes up less space, making it a good choice for airports near wetlands or busy city areas.
Offutt is the only active-duty Air Force base using this system. The system is also used at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia and at airports in mountainous and island locations around the world.
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2025 15:12 |
| Story ID: | 494064 |
| Location: | OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NEBRASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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