Service members with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172

Service members with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 place landing pads into position Aug. 28 at Ie Shima training facility. The landing areas are completed when the top layer of the area, called AM-2 pad surface, is successfully laid on top of the prepared surface, creating a safe and durable landing zone for rotary-wing aircraft such as helicopters and MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The landing area at Ie Shima is expected to increase III Marine Expeditionary Force’s unit capabilities for training and operations, according to Master Sgt. Juan C. Manco, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge for expeditionary airfields with MWSS 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released)