Lajes works with Lakenheath for barrier certification

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  Two F-15 Strike Eagles visited Lajes to conduct an annual barrier certification test on the flightline here Dec. 29.

The F-15s, originally from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, helped conduct the certification while Lajes deployed the Barrier Arrestor Kit, a standard emergency aircraft arresting system designed to stop high-speed aircraft on the runway.

"An aircraft may need the barrier to stop if a hydraulic leak causes it to lose brakes," said Maj. Robert Sweeney, 65th Operations Support Squadron director of operations. "If an airport does not have an arresting system, then a waiver is usually required to use it."

After the test was conducted, officials here deemed the operation successful because it went smoothly and there was no incident. Officials from the 65th OSS and 65th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department monitored the barrier certification.

The officials were able to determine if the tape of the barrier needed repair. According to the 65th CES fire chief, it met the required standards.

Sometimes when the tapes are not in good shape, the teeth in the cogs could break off, described Senior Master Sgt. Quentin Mulholland, the fire chief. He said members of his unit respond to operations like this all the time.

As emergency first responders, they are often tasked to do things like this, even when other members are on a holiday schedule. They take much pride in doing it since it ensures the safety of the mission at Lajes.

"Today we are actually making sure the barriers perform as they are designed, and we have to certify them every year," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Wells, fire department assistant chief of operations. "This barrier certification is a critical part of the mission here because the barriers are a mechanical means of stopping the aircraft when their breaking system fails."

The barrier is an alternate break, Sergeant Wells said.

The use of the barrier on a runway is much like the use of arresting systems on an aircraft carrier. An aircraft will have a "hook" on the back of it that will catch the barrier during the landing roll, explained Major Sweeney. The aircraft usually is stopped in 1000 feet, depending on the speed of the aircraft when it hits the barrier.

The barrier certification did not only test the breaking systems of an aircraft alone. The firefighters ensured the pilot came out safely. Once the aircraft was declared fire-safe, the 65th OSS Airmen came into play. They are in charge of clearing the aircraft off the runway and the cable in order for the fire department to complete the cable-rewind operation.

The barrier has to be rewound in a strong and tight manner in order to get the flightline operational.

"The barrier is a critical piece of equipment that is often overlooked because it is not used on a day-to-day operation," said Sergeant Wells. "It is only utilized during emergency situations so a lot of people don't really put into consideration how important it is to have them and make sure they work. That is why we're out here doing this once-a-year certification, and along with that certification, we have quarterly trainings that we have to do."