Press Releases 2004

MAAS Team Ensures Mission Safety at Cope India O4 in Gwalior

February 19, 2004

GWALIOR AIR FORCE STATION - Their hard work and dedication is revealed in times of crisis, and throughout each flight mission, they are there.

The Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAAS) barrier technicians are here for Cope India 04, the first bilateral dissimilar exercise between the U.S. and Indian air forces in more than 40 years. These technicians ensure U.S. aircraft supporting the exercise can land safely in an in-flight emergency.

The MAAS weighs in at approximately 18,000 pounds and is connected to a 153 foot-long steel cable attached to an eight-inch wide nylon tape that stretches across the runway. During an in-flight emergency, the pilot of the endangered aircraft lowers an aircraft tail-hook designed to catch the cable.

Acting as a flexible barrier, the cable stretches and allows just enough resistance to stop the aircraft safely, according to Master Sgt. Sonny Gomez, Electrical Power Production (EPP) technician.

"Any time an aircraft can't stop itself safely, we're involved," he said. "From hydraulic and system failures, not enough fuel to land or no brakes, we ensure the pilot and the aircraft get back to us in good shape."

The cable runs through two long metal boxes on each side of the runway that allows heavier aircraft to land and provides the capability for aircraft to land from either direction.
According to Airman First Class Kevin Baker, EPP technician, without these metal boxes, the MAAS can support a maximum 40,000 pounds and 180 knots of pressure. With the boxes, it can withstand 50,000 pounds and 180 knots of pressure up to 1,200 feet.

The MAAS is secured into the ground by metal stakes approximately five feet long and weighing 25 pounds each. The entire system takes approximately 24 hours to set up.

"We drill 156 individual stakes into the ground to secure the MAAS," said Staff Sgt. Robert Roe, engineering assistant. "It takes 2 to 5 minutes to drill each stake."

Approximately 60 seconds before every takeoff, the team quickly stretches the cable over the runway and ensures the MAAS machine is prepared for a possible engagement.

Since the Indian Air Force aircraft involved in Cope India do not have tail-hooks, they use a different system involving a huge nylon net that engulfs the nose and wings of an aircraft. During the exercise, the Elmendorf MAAS technicians put the system in place when the F-15C Eagle aircraft participating in the exercise are taking off and landing, then remove the cable so the IAF aircraft can launch or recover.

According to Staff Sgt. Todd Pederson, EPP technician, their IAF counterparts are enthusiastic and courteous. "The Indian people are very friendly and will do anything to help us," he said. " We've learned a lot from each other."

Gwalior's Junior Warrant Officer DP Singh, warrant officer in charge of the airfield lighting section said, "The U.S. forces barrier technicians are friendly and hardworking. Their barrier system is in some ways similar to ours, simple in construction and easy to dismantle. This exercise has proven itself to be highly beneficial for both forces to learn from each other."
In addition to various cultural exchanges between the two air forces and experiencing the wide variety of flavorful Indian foods everyday, working with the IAF to successfully complete the training mission are the most rewarding aspect of the deployment, according to Tech. Sgt. John Freischmidt EPP technician.

"The favorite part of our job is doing the work to get everything installed and in place, knowing that if needed to save a pilot and aircraft, it's ready." he said.
Cope India runs through February 25 to enhance the relationship between U.S. and India and to improve the readiness and interoperability of the two air forces.