Senior Airman Kai Hall, 35th Communications Squadron airfield systems technician, inspects an instrument landing system antenna for defects, which may make the system give false readings Jan. 20, 2011, Misawa Air Base, Japan. ILS assists pilots with landing during inclement weather when ground conditions around the airfield mitigate visibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)

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AST: takeoffs are optional but safe landings are mandatory

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Kevin Finstuen, left, and Cavin Meneses, 35th Communications Squadron airfield systems technicians, reseat a circuit board as part of an operational check-out used to clear system fault alarms on the instrument landing system Jan. 20, 2011, Misawa Air Base, Japan. The airfield uses two ILS systems, one on each end of the runway. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield/Released)

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Senior Airmen Cavin Meneses, front, and Kai Hall, 35th Communications Squadron airfield systems technicians, check the waveform of the instrument landing system signal on an oscilloscope during a system performance check Jan. 20, 2011, Misawa Air Base, Japan. Pilots use data from the ILS to align their approach with the runway for a safe and accurate landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)

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Senior Airman Kai Hall, 35th Communications Squadron airfield systems technician, connects a test cable to the instrument landing system during an operational check Jan. 20, 2011, Misawa Air Base, Japan. The operational check uses different cables and dummy loads to simulate actual operation of the system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)

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Senior Airmen Kai Hall, left, and Cavin Meneses, 35th Communications Squadron airfield systems technicians, use a portable instrument landing system to verify that the system is transmitting the correct location for the center of the runway Jan. 20, 2011, Misawa Air Base, Japan. If the ILS malfunctions, aircraft could be directed to land off the runway, damaging the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)

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Senior Airman Kai Hall, 35th Communications Squadron airfield systems technician, interfaces with the FQ 19 weather system to run a diagnostic test Jan. 20, 2011, Misawa Air Base, Japan. The weather system that AS Airmen maintain is capable of measuring cloud height, air temperature, presence of freezing rain and a myriad of other possible weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)

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Senior Airman Kevin Finstuen, 35th Communications Squadron airfield systems technician, adjusts the gain on the Very-high Frequency Omni-system insuring optimal signal output Jan. 20, 2011, Misawa Air Base, Japan. The VFO is part of a larger system known as the VORTAC, which combines the VFO, for civilian aircraft, and the Tactical Air Navigation System, for military aircraft, to guide planes safely to Misawa Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)

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AST: takeoffs are optional but safe landing are mandatory

Published Jan. 20, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- When it comes to ensuring safe arrival of aircraft, whether military or civilian, a select breed of Airman is required for this crucial mission to go off without a hitch.

Airmen from the 35th Communications Squadron Airfield Systems Shop install, remove, relocate and modify meteorological, navigation and air traffic control ground-to-air radio systems vital to the safe and efficient operation of an active airfield. These Airmen also accomplish flight inspection duties for navigational aids, analyze equipment performance trends, and supervise airfield systems maintenance activities.

"Our mission here is to provide civilian and military aircraft with a safe place to land," said Senior Airman Kevin Finstuen, 35 CS airfield systems technician. "Without our systems they wouldn't be able to find our airfield let alone land here during inclement weather."

AST: takeoffs are optional but safe landings are mandatory