Landing with precision

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 18th Operations Support Squadron work alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airmen to assemble a Transportable Transponder Landing System with assistance of the Advance Navigation and Positioning Corp. at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 19, 2023. The TTLS allows for precision landing on terrain where Instrument landing systems installation isn’t readily available by using ground-based sensors to determine an aircraft’s position. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

Landing with precision

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carolynn Wood, 18th Operations Support Squadron radar airfield weather systems technician, right, works alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Miura Tsunehisa, Air Traffic Control Group liaison, to assemble a Transportable Transponder Landing System with the assistance of Advance Navigation and Positioning Corp. at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 19, 2023. Bilateral operations not only allow the testing of new technology and tactics to shape future operations, but also help enhance the agility and coordination between the U.S. and its allies in order to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

Landing with precision

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 18th Operations Support Squadron work alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airmen to deploy a Transportable Transponder Landing System with the assistance of Advance Navigation and Positioning Corp. at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 19, 2023. The engineers from ANPC instructed and assisted those present in the proper assembly of the TTLS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

Landing with precision

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, right, and Jed Gleasman, Advance Navigation and Positioning Corp field engineer, write down the height and distance of the Transportable Transponder Landing System with an automatic level at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 19, 2023. An auto level is an optical instrument that can be used to establish or verify points on the same horizontal plane, and has an internal mechanism that eliminates variation and inaccuracy from measurements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

Landing with precision

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Geoffrey Ikert, 320th Special Tactics Squadron senior enlisted leader, listens to a Transportable Transponder Landing System briefing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 19, 2023. The TTLS allows for precision landing on terrain or land where Instrument Landing Systems installation isn’t readily available by using ground-based sensors to determine an aircraft’s position. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

Landing with precision

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Geoffrey Ikert, 320th Special Tactics Squadron senior enlisted leader, greets Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Miura Tsunehisa, Air Traffic Control Group liaison, during his visit to the control tower at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 19 2023. The Transportable Transponder Landing System assembly gave participating Airmen and JASDF members first-hand knowledge on the rapid deployment capabilities of the landing system and how its effectiveness can help maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

Landing with precision

Published July 26, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --