DRMC Airmen Support Certification of Instrument Landing Systems

Why It Matters

Certified ILS enhances operational safety and sortie rates in a high‑risk AOR, directly supporting mission readiness for U.S. forces.

Key Takeaways

• DRMC Airmen completed FAA flight inspection of glide slope
• Instrument landing system now certified for reduced‑visibility ops
• Coordination between 332nd AEW and DRMC enabled rapid adjustments
• Real‑time radio link allowed on‑site antenna fine‑tuning
• Certification resolves 2023 installation delay, enhancing mission readiness

Pulse Analysis

The instrument landing system (ILS) is a cornerstone of modern air operations, providing precision guidance for aircraft during low‑visibility approaches. In the volatile U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) theater, where sandstorms and night operations are routine, an operational ILS can mean the difference between mission success and costly delays. By deploying DRMC technicians to fine‑tune glide‑slope antennae and oversee the final certification, the Air Force ensured that the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s runway meets the stringent standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration, reinforcing the strategic airlift capability essential for rapid force projection.

Flight inspection is a highly specialized process that blends real‑time data collection with immediate corrective action. During the Jan. 29, 2026 inspection, DRMC personnel maintained a continuous radio link with FAA pilots, receiving performance metrics while standing ready inside the equipment shelter to adjust antenna heights on the fly. This hands‑on approach eliminated the lag typical of post‑flight analysis, delivering a calibrated glide‑slope that satisfies both FAA and Department of Defense criteria. The collaboration between the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and DRMC exemplifies how joint maintenance teams can accelerate certification timelines, reducing aircraft downtime and preserving sortie generation rates.

Beyond the immediate safety benefits, the ILS certification bolsters overall mission readiness across the CENTCOM AOR. Reliable precision approach capabilities enable higher sortie volumes, support humanitarian assistance missions, and sustain combat operations under adverse weather conditions. Moreover, the successful completion of this project highlights the Air Force’s broader push toward agile, forward‑deployed maintenance structures that can rapidly respond to emerging operational gaps. As the region’s geopolitical landscape evolves, such capabilities will remain critical for maintaining air superiority and ensuring that U.S. forces can project power wherever and whenever needed.

DRMC Airmen support certification of instrument landing systems

Published Feb. 6, 2026

By Senior Airman Karalyn Degraffenreed – U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (AFNS) — Airmen assigned to the Air Forces Central Deployed Regional Maintenance Center worked several weeks to support the commissioning and flight inspection of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s airfield instrument landing systems in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 29, 2026.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Keenan Herlocker and Staff Sgt. Jessica Ayala adjust antennae heights on a glide slope in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Feb. 5, 2026. The antenna height adjustments fine‑tuned glide‑slope angles to meet flight‑inspection and certification requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

The project focused on ensuring the airfield’s instrument landing systems met required standards for safe operations during periods of reduced visibility.

“We’ve been working throughout the last few weeks to commission a glide slope and complete flight inspections through the Federal Aviation Administration to certify the instrument landing systems and ensure that they are safe for all pilots to use during inclement weather conditions,” said Tech. Sgt. Keenan Herlocker, DRMC noncommissioned officer in charge. “The glide slope provides a centerline path for the pilots to follow to the ground at the correct touchdown points established on the runways.”

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gregory Curry, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron electrical journeyman, supervises Airmen from the Air Forces Central Deployed Regional Maintenance Center while they adjust antennae heights on a glide slope in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 31, 2026. The work required coordination between the 332nd ECES and Airmen assigned to the DRMC to support flight inspection and system certification. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

Although the glide‑slope system was installed in 2023, required certification had not been completed due to circumstances that prevented a flight inspection from taking place. Recent efforts allowed FAA pilots to conduct flight inspections for navigation aids across the airfield.

Maintainers rely heavily on data gathered during flight inspections for ground calibrations because they cannot observe aircraft performance in the air. During these inspections, maintainers coordinate directly with inspection aircraft to make real‑time system adjustments as needed to meet certification standards.

“Usually during a flight inspection, you’re on the radio with the pilot, and they’ll give you numbers when they’re flying,” said Staff Sgt. Jessica Ayala, DRMC assistant noncommissioned officer in charge. “So, if you have to make an adjustment, you’re right there inside the equipment shelter and able to make those quick adjustments.”

With the completion of the flight inspections, the 332nd AEW’s airfield instrument landing systems are now certified, ensuring pilots have reliable guidance when operating in reduced‑visibility conditions.