When brakes fail, catch cable provides stopping line

Airmen from the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron power production shop install rubber spacing donuts to a pendant cable for a cable engagement exercise on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Aug. 21, 2012. The Airmen evenly space out rubber donuts to keep the cable several inches off the runway, allowing the F-15E Strike Eagle to successfully employ its barrier hook. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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When brakes fail, catch cable provides stopping line

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Ryan Sheive (left) and James Park, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron power production journeymen, connect a pendant cable on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Aug. 21, 2012. The pendant cable catches the landing hook an F-15E Strike Eagle drops in a case of an in-flight-emergency involving brake failure. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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When brakes fail, catch cable provides stopping line

An F-15E Strike Eagle deploys a barrier hook to a pendant cable during a cable engagement exercise on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Aug. 21, 2012. The barrier hook catches the pendant cable to bring the aircraft to a halt during an emergency landing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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When brakes fail, catch cable provides stopping line

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Torres, 823rd RED HORSE Squadron electrical power production supervisor from Hurlburt Field, Fla., reads gauges on a BAK-12 after a cable engagement exercise on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Aug. 21, 2012. The gauges take readings of the F-15E Strike Eagle engagement on the pendant cable and determines how much impact the cable endured. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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When brakes fail, catch cable provides stopping line

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Zachary Paxson, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter driver and operator, reels in excess tape using a BAK-12 during a cable engagement exercise on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Aug. 21, 2012. The BAK-12 holds the pendant cable in place to ensure the F-15E Strike Eagle’s hook doesn’t become dislodged during an emergency landing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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When brakes fail, catch cable provides stopping line

Published Aug. 23, 2012
By Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airmen from the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron power production shop, 4th Fighter Wing fire emergency services flight and the 823rd RED HORSE Squadron, from Hurlburt Field, Fla., worked together during a cable engagement exercise on the flightline here, Aug. 21.

The exercise is conducted to ensure that all equipment for stopping an F-15E Strike Eagle during an emergency landing is functioning properly. Airmen also confirmed all procedures are being performed correctly and efficiently.

In-flight-emergencies involving brake failures rely on the cable engagement process. As the Strike Eagle lands, a barrier hook is deployed to catch a pendant cable and bring the aircraft to a halt.

With safety as a high concern in the Air Force, exercises like this help Airmen ensure this priority.