CHAPTER 2 - AIRFIELD LIGHTING

As a Construction Electrician, first class petty officer, you may be responsible for supervising the installation of expeditionary airfield lighting and any repairs or maintenance required to that installation as well as to permanent advanced base launch and landing facilities.

Since the SEABEES' existence is based on being used in contingency operation, you, as an electrician, should know the equipment and components of such a contingency lighting system; the "expedient airfields assembly, 30300," as taken from the advanced base functional component kit listings, is such a package. If the world situation should develop to a point where the SEABEES are alerted and tactical air support is required, such a kit, plus portable generators, must accompany you to the forward area. For contingency operations, the types of airfields used may be any of the following:

1. Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) airfields

2. Vertical short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) airfields (600 and 1,800 feet)

3. Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field (SELF)

4. Expeditionary airfield (EAF)

The scope of this chapter is not so much to provide details on the electrical systems used at each of the above-mentioned airfields, but to acquaint you with the systems' components and their functions for both expeditionary and the permanent type of airfields. Normally, the VTOL airfield is an installation made of aluminum matting and is used as a forward landing field by either helicopters or harrier type of aircraft, whereas the VSTOL airfield, also an aluminummatted installation, is usually used as a forward operational facility. The SELF is used by high-performance aircraft, such as the F4 Phantom, the A4 Skyhawk, or the F14 Tomcat, and is also used as a forward air facility. The EAF is similar to the SELF, only with a longer runway.

AIRFIELD LIGHTING SYSTEMS

Airfield lighting systems are designed to aid the pilots during launch, recovery, and taxi operations. These systems date back to the smudge pots and the burning of brush piles to help guide pilots into safe landings. Through the years, the methods of lighting airfields have become more sophisticated. The lighting systems today must have the light properly distributed, have light controls, and also have the ability to define certain areas by means of different colored lenses and filters inside of the lighting fixtures.

The patterns and colors of the lights, as well as the markings, at each airfield must be uniform to enable the pilots to interpret what is seen and, then, to react almost automatically. To ensure that these airfield lighting standards are met, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been tasked with making these standards and with the policing authority within the United States; in addition, the FAA's standards are used in airfields constructed by the military overseas.

The design of airfield lighting systems must provide for locating an obstructional warning system, runway and approach markings, and taxiway and parking facility markings.

AIRFIELD LAYOUT

The VTOL forward operating site is a portable airfield of minimum size designed for operations dependent upon logistic or tactical support by helicopters and other vertical takeoff or landing aircraft. The field consists of a surface pad 72 feet square, as shown in figure 2-1, view A, without lighting, communications, or recovery systems.

A VSTOL facility is a portable airfield capable of providing support to VSTOL fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters. The field consists of a surfaced runway 900 feet long and 72 feet wide and turnoff, parking, and maintenance areas. The nature of the aircraft to be serviced precludes the necessity for arresting gear; however, a field lighting system and a communications system are supplied to provide suitable aircraft recovery capability. A VSTOL facility can readily be converted to a VSTOL air base.

A VSTOL air base is a portable airfield capable of providing support for VSTOL fixedwing aircraft as well as helicopters. The field consists of a surfaced runway 1,800 feet long and 72 feet wide and turnoff, maintenance, and parking areas to accommodate up to twelve aircraft. From the VSTOL air base assets, plans are provided from which three VSTOL FACILITIES can be constructed. The VSTOL air base can support at least one squadron of light VSTOL attack aircraft and a number of helicopters. The nature of the aircraft serviced by the VSTOL air base precludes the necessity for arresting gear; however, a field lighting system, a Fresnel lens optical landing system (FLOLS), and a communications system are incorporated to provide suitable aircraft support. A VSTOL air base may readily be converted to an expeditionary airfield (EAF).

The EAF is a portable airfield that provides a surfaced runway 5,200 feet long and 96 feet wide, as shown in figure 2-1, view D, and parking and maintenance areas for up to six squadrons of light-to-medium fighter/attack aircraft, in addition to a complement of reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters. The field includes two M-21 aircraft recovery systems, two FLOLS, and field lighting and communications systems. An EAF may readily be converted to a strategic expeditionary landing field (SELF).

The SELF is a portable airfield that provides a surfaced runway 8,000 feet long and 96 feet wide, as shown in figure 2-1, view E. The SELF is a pre-positioned war reserve (PWR) setup. The airfield provides turnoff, maintenance, and parking areas to accommodate up to six squadrons of light-to-medium fighter/attack aircraft, a detachment of KC-130 tanker aircraft, and various transient logistic support aircraft. The SELF configuration includes two M-21 aircraft recovery systems as well as two FLOLS and field lighting and communications systems.