U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgts. Andrew Verde and Jamal Hickmon, 51st Operational Support Squadron weather specialists, use a TMQ-53 tactical meteorological observing system handheld display to gather data from the system’s sensor during a low approach training event on an emergency landing strip in Yeongju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 16, 2022. The TMQ-53 is a portable, automated weather station used to collect data and provide accurate weather forecasts for aircrews participating in the event (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jamal Hickmon, 51st Operational Support Squadron weather specialist, sets up a TMQ-53 tactical meteorological observing system during a combined training event involving USAF and Republic of Korea Air Force partners at Yeongju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 16, 2022. Sensors on the system can detect rain rates, wind speed and direction, cloud height, lightning and other variances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgts. Jamal Hickmon and Andrew Verde, 51st Operations Support Squadron weather specialists, are assisted by a Republic of Korea Air Force member while setting up a TMQ-53 tactical meteorological observing system at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving USAF and Republic of Korea Air Force partners at Yeongju, ROK, Nov. 16, 2022. The TMQ-53 is a mobile device used to measure weather conditions such as cloud height, windspeed, wind direction and dew point in tactical environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 51st Operational Support Squadron and Republic of Korea Airmen set up a TMQ-53 tactical meteorological observing system during a combined training event involving USAF and ROKAF partners at Yeongju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 16, 2022. The 51st OSS provided timely and accurate weather forecasts for aircrews participating in the event, allowing flying units to plan and adjust mission requirements accordingly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

Republic of Korea Air Force members clear the area of debris, also known as foreign object disposal (FOD), at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving USAF and Republic of Korea Air Force partners at Yeongju, ROK, Nov. 16, 2022. A FOD-free surface ensures aircraft are not damaged while utilizing the ELS during an emergency situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Green, 51st Operations Support Squadron landing zone safety officer, sets up a mobile radio system at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving USAF and Republic of Korea Air Force partners at Yeongju, ROK, Nov. 16, 2022. Members used the event as an opportunity to test and validate the technological capabilities needed for aircraft to safely land at an ELS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

A Republic of Korea Air Force KF-16 Fighting Falcon performs a low approach at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving U.S. Air Force and ROKAF partners at Yeongju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 16, 2022. The event was used as an opportunity to utilize the ELS as a means of increasing combat agility and to test the technological capabilities needed to accomplish future training events and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II performs a low approach at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving USAF and Republic of Korea Air Force partners at Yeongju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 16, 2022. The A-10 is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against light maritime attack aircraft and all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon performs a low approach at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving USAF and Republic of Korea Air Force partners at Yeongju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 16, 2022. The F-16 is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

A Republic of Korea Air Force F-5 performs a low approach at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving U.S. Air Force and ROKAF partners at Yeongju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 16, 2022. The aim of the event was to strengthen the U.S. and ROK military alliance, increasing proficiency in the use of the ELS and interoperability between the partnered nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

Republic of Korea Air Force CN-235 performs a low approach at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving U.S. Air Force and ROKAF partners at Yeongju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 16, 2022. The event was used as an opportunity to utilize the ELS as a means of increasing combat agility and to test the technological capabilities needed to accomplish future training events and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II performs a low approach at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving USAF and Republic of Korea Air Force partners at Yeongju, ROK, Nov. 16, 2022. The event was used as an opportunity to utilize the ELS as a means of increasing combat agility and to test the technological capabilities needed to accomplish future training events and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Korea members communicate with an incoming A USAF MC-130J Commando II during a low approach emergency landing training Yeongju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 16, 2022. The MC-130 provides infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in hostile or denied territory. Secondary missions include psychological operations, and helicopter and vertical lift air refueling.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II takes off after performing a low approach at an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event involving USAF and Republic of Korea Air Force partners at Yeongju, ROK, Nov. 16, 2022. The aim of the event was to strengthen the U.S. and ROK military alliance, increasing proficiency in the use of the ELS and interoperability between the partnered nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

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U.S. and ROK Air Forces practice ELS operations

Published Nov. 18, 2022
By Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs; Airman 1st Class Aaron Edwards
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

YEONGJU, Republic of Korea --

Using a road in Yeongju, United States Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force members set up an emergency landing strip as part of a combined training event. The event was used as an opportunity to utilize the ELS as a means of increasing combat agility and to test the technological capabilities needed to accomplish future training events and operations.