emergency power in the event of power failure. Security force personnel should be capale of operating the power unit. If technical knowledge prevents this, plans must provide for responsible personnel to respond immediately in times of emergency. In addition, battery-powered lights and essential communications should be available at all times at key locations within the secure area.

AIRFIELD LIGHTING

As a Construction Electrician second class petty officer. you may be responsible for the installation of expeditionary airfield lighting and any repairs or maintenance required to the 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 should know the equipment and components of such a contingency lighting system. The "Expedient Airfields Facility," 13610A, as taken from the Advanced Base Functional Component Facility Listings, provides such information. If the world situation should develop to a point where the Seabees are alerted and tactical air support is required, such a kit would 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. Expeditionary airfield (EAF)

4. Strategic expeditionary landing field (SELF)

The scope of this chapter is not to provide details on the electrical systems used at each of the above- mentioned airfields but rather to acquaint you with the components of the systems and their functions for both expeditionary and permanent 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 aluminum matted installation, is usually used as a forward operational facility. The EAF is used by high- performance aircraft and is also used as a forward air facility. The SELF is similar to the EAF, but with a longer runway.

AIRFIELD LIGHTING SYSTEMS

Airfield lighting systems are designed to aid pilots during launch, recovery, and taxi operations. The reasons for these systems date back to the days of 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 much more sophisticated. The lighting systems today 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 light, as well as the markings, at each airfield are uniform to enable the pilots to interpret what is seen and then to react almost automatically. To ensure that airfield lighting standards are met, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been tasked with developing the standards and with the policing authority to ensure compliance within the United States. In addition, FAA 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 6-30, 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 also is a portable airfield capable of providing support for VSTOL fixed-wing 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