Sentry Flying at Night

by Air Force Staff Sgt. Joe Chignola
962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron

11/20/2013 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  -- With the onset of winter and the longer periods of darkness that accompany it, the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron has begun preparing for low-light and nighttime operations. The E-3 Sentry fleet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson must be prepared to launch on short notice at any hour of the day to accomplish its command-and-control mission.

"Because of the inherent risks of night flying, our regulations are more restrictive when it comes to night operations," said Air Force Capt. Joshua Izakson, 962nd AACS instructor pilot. "But [night flying] also presents us with opportunities for currency and training under challenging circumstances."

The E-3 Sentry flight crews are trained to recognize and mitigate threats common to nighttime flying. One danger to overcome is the threat of the "black hole effect," where otherwise competent pilots can land short of the runway due to a visual illusion and lack of perceptual cues.

Night time spatial disorientation is also a challenge to overcome. Keeping an eye on the aircraft's instruments can keep a pilot clued in to their relative position to the ground and other objects.

"We train to recognize [spatial disorientation] ahead of time before it becomes incapacitation," Izakson said.

One of the most critical aspects of flying at night is being able to safely refuel the E-3 in flight. Continual training helps pilot mitigate night air refueling challenges, such as fewer visual cues from the tanker, which can make it difficult for a pilot to judge relative position and motion.

"Air refueling at night is a necessary part of our flight currency requirements and training due to the possibility of a long-duration sortie and other scenarios," Izakson said.

While the mission crew aboard the E-3 does not have any specific requirements or regulations for night flying, it is still important for all crew members to recognize the additional risks inherent in operations under darkness, said Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Page, 962nd AACS computer display maintenance technician.

"Disturbing your circadian rhythm due to long nighttime missions or very early missions can hinder your ability to perform tasks correctly. All crewmembers must remain vigilant about their level of alertness," Page said.

Crew members must also observe all group safety precautions while transiting to and from the aircraft, such as wearing reflective belts and watching for flightline traffic that may not see crew members clearly.

"No matter the conditions or time of day, the E-3 and the 962nd AACS must continue its legacy and mission of providing world-class command and control," Page said.