USMC AV-8B pilots has to switched to a mobile version of the Expeditionary Hover Position Indicator at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan as the current recertification site is under reconstruction.
A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 performs a vertical landing while using the lights on the mobile Expeditionary Hover Position Indicator to adjust its position at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 9, 2016. VMA-542 is home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the unit deployment program. The Harrier pilots used the mobile EHPI in coordination with Aircraft Recovery assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron to recertify on boat-deck landings to prepare for other future operations in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin)
The tall structure is used by the Harrier pilots to simulate a helicopter dock deck and aircraft carrier landing environment for the AV-8B Harriers to complete their boat landing certification.
