F-16 gets arrested

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura Max
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  An F-16 Fighting Falcon tested its emergency arresting system March 25 here.

The test is used annually to ensure the arresting system, which is used to assist a fighter aircraft stop in an emergency situation, functions properly. The system stops aircraft that may have problems with hydraulics, steering or brake failure.

If a problem arises in-flight, the aircrew is responsible for deciding whether or not to engage the arresting system. If needed, the pilot releases the aircraft's hook, and lands the plane at least 1,000 feet from the arresting system.

The hook drags on the surface of the runway until it comes in contact with a 1.25-inch steel cable. Once the aircraft's hook captures the cable, the cable rips the nylon hold-down ropes, which prevent cable movement on the runway surface during aircraft taxi, and unravels its attached nylon tapes from storage reels.

The system is similar to the ones used on naval aircraft carriers and are used to stop most fighter aircraft. The base uses three emergency arresting systems because the fighter aircraft stationed here are tail hook equipped.

"Depending on where you are stationed, they can be difficult to set up," said Tech. Sgt. Dale Wilson, 354th Operations Support Squadron NCO in charge for Airfield Management Operations. "Our Barrier Team does a fantastic job of clearing the snow from the usable area and inspecting the system daily."

Checking the system here has unique complications for the Airmen. Snow and below freezing temperatures can cause the system to ice up. The barrier must remain fully operational in all environments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The barrier maintenance crew of Airmen and civilians are also required to wear the proper cold weather gear to stay safe when working on the flightline which can be somewhat constricting.

The annual test crew consists of the fire department, barrier maintenance crew and the crash recovery team. Airfield management is also on standby to quickly resume normal runway operations. The pilots can engage the arresting system at speeds of up to 180 knots.

"When you catch the cable it doesn't violently stop you like you would think," said Capt. Christopher Perkins, 18th Aggressor Squadron pilot, "it slows you down quickly, almost like when you're driving a car and then you hit a thick patch of snow and your car slows down."

The important and mandatory testing took a total of 853 feet, after the aircraft caught the cable, to stop the F-16.

"The testing is important for a number of reasons and we all take it very seriously," said Sergeant Wilson. "It puts pilots' minds at ease by showing them there is a system in place they can rely on and it can save lives and equipment."