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MWSS-171 gets 'the lights on' at airfield exercise

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 2005223191513
Story by Lance Cpl. Cristin K. Bartter

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Feb. 16, 2005) -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 aircraft recovery expeditionary airfield services exercised the use of the Minimum Operating Strip Lighting System, Feb. 16, on the Southside airfield.

The MOSLS is an expeditionary lighting system made up of individual lights that are battery operated and capable of deploying anywhere in need of an airfield.

“The purpose of this is if an existing airfield, for instance in Iraq, suffers bomb damage that takes out the power of the base or lighting system, we could come in with this system and light the airfield,” said Chief Warrant Officer Lance L. Morgan, MWSS-171, station recovery officer.

Also, if an airfield suffered damage, a recovery team could position a Minimum Operating Strip. They would take a section of the airstrip, as small as 4,000 feet, light it and use it as an airfield on which aircraft can land.

For the exercise, Marines wore their flak jacket, kevlar, green digital camouflage utility uniform, 782 gear and some were given night vision goggles. They also painted themselves to get into the spirit. After each Marine had completed a stealthy look, Morgan then gave an NVG class before they began the exercise.

At 11p.m., MWSS-171’s recovery team was given a reference point and orders to make a 4,000-foot MOS. The command ‘move out’ was given and the exercise began. With the clock ticking, they had 60 minutes to complete the construction of a lighting system in complete darkness.

“We’re pumped up and ready to go!” said Lance Cpl. Nathan J. Smirch, MWSS-171, aircraft recovery expedition airfield services.

During the exercise there were slight cable length problems that caused a delay. But in the end, the mission was accomplished.

“They broke up into teams, maintained good communication and the whole operation was a success,” said Staff Sgt. Donald P. Bourg, MWSS-171, quality assurance chief. “The entire MOS was set up in under one hour.”

MWSS-171 will be emplacing MOSLS as a war simulation exercise quarterly because of its importance, he said.

On two occasions in the past year the lighting system that is maintained by recovery suffered illumination problems in some portion of the airfield and backup lighting systems were needed, said Morgan. This training gives Marines the experience necessary for MOSLS in combat.