Barrier Maintenance

Airman 1st Class Andrew Cates, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Barrier Maintenance, performs an oil check in one of the barrier shacks on RAF Mildenhall’s flightline. Barrier checks are performed daily on two sets of barrier shacks (two per set, opposite each other on the flightline) and two sets of textile braking systems. One of each set is located at each end of the runway. The checks are done to ensure the systems are operational and ready to go at all times. When set up, a tape and cable are stretched across the runway which will catch a hook on small fighter aircraft, such as F-15s, and stops the plane. The purpose of the system is to save pilots lives and the aircraft, and works similar to brakes on a car by applying gradual pressure to the brakes, which brings the aircraft to a slow stop. Once the jet comes in and hooks onto the cable, it stops within a matter of seconds and within 1,200 feet. The 100th CES Barrier Maintenance Flight provides back-up for RAF Lakenheath. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)