KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot prepares to take off during a barrier engagement exercise Feb. 28 here. The barrier engagement tests the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System, which is designed to reduce the forward energy of a fighter aircraft during an emergency landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Stephen Miceli)

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot tests the strength of a Mobile Aircraft Arresting System cable during a barrier engagement test Feb. 28 here. The MAAS is designed to reduce the forward energy of a fighter aircraft during an emergency landing. The MAAS consists of twin platforms connecting a cable that runs across the runway. During an emergency landing, a fighter pilot can drop a hook that latches onto the MAAS cable. The connection reduces the forward energy of the fighter aircraft which cushions impact. Though no fighters are assigned to Kirkuk, these aircraft could be diverted here for reasons ranging from bad weather to mechanical problems. The barrier engagement involved efforts from the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Civil Engineer Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Security Forces Squadron and Communication Squadron. The two F-16s that participated in the engagement were from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Stephen Miceli)

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- Airmen from the 506th Air Expeditionary Group conduct a foreign object damage (FOD) walk prior to a barrier engagement test Feb. 28 here. These walks help prevent stray objects from entering the engine of an F-16 and are crucial to the success of the barrier engagement. The barrier engagement tests the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System, which is designed to reduce the forward energy of a fighter aircraft during an emergency landing. The MAAS consists of twin platforms connecting a cable that runs across the runway. During an emergency landing, a fighter pilot can drop a hook that latches onto the MAAS cable. The connection reduces the forward energy of the fighter aircraft which cushions impact. Though no fighters are assigned to Kirkuk, these aircraft could be diverted here for reasons ranging from bad weather to mechanical problems. The barrier engagement involved efforts from the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Civil Engineer Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Security Forces Squadron and Communication Squadron. The two F-16s that participated in the engagement were from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Stephen Miceli)

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- An F-16 pilot conducts a pre-flight check as 506th Air Expeditionary Group commander Col. Timothy Strawther looks on during a barrier engagement test Feb. 28 here. The barrier engagement tests the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System, which is designed to reduce the forward energy of a fighter aircraft during an emergency landing. The MAAS consists of twin platforms connecting a cable that runs across the runway. During an emergency landing, a fighter pilot can drop a hook that latches onto the MAAS cable. The connection reduces the forward energy of the fighter aircraft which cushions impact. Though no fighters are assigned to Kirkuk, these aircraft could be diverted here for reasons ranging from bad weather to mechanical problems. The barrier engagement involved efforts from the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Civil Engineer Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Security Forces Squadron and Communication Squadron. The two F-16s that participated in the engagement were from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Stephen Miceli)