NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- Dan Bischoff, Visual Landing Aids in-service engineering team lead for air-capable and amphibious assault aviation ships, installs pencil line and deck edge outline lights Tuesday in preparation for F-35B Joint Strike Fighter short takeoff night operations at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., AM2 Mat vertical takeoff and landing pad.

The Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Office (PMA-251) VLA team at Patuxent River installed the two Next-Generation Visual Landing Aids for upcoming nighttime carrier landing practices. The systems provide pilots with rotation-line lighting cues for the simulated flight deck.