Desert Landing Site Assessment and Selection
Desert Landing Site™ Course
Application of Expeditionary Airfield Standards and Risk Evaluation
Course Overview
The Desert Landing Site (DLS)™ course provides advanced instruction for survey teams responsible for assessing and selecting tactical desert landing sites in austere environments. The course focuses on full-spectrum survey operations, including site selection through imagery analysis, evaluation of degraded and semi-prepared surfaces, and assessment of operational risk under changing environmental conditions.
Students receive instruction on applying current Air Force guidance, including ETLs 97-9, 04-7, and 02-19, and DAFMAN 13-217 with applicable AFSOC supplements. Training emphasizes hazard identification and mitigation, including obstruction clearance, surface gradient evaluation, displaced threshold determination, and measurement of ruts, rolling resistance, and friction factors to support SPACI assessments and aircraft movement decisions in desert operating environments.
What the Course Covers
Desert Landing Site Selection and Assessment
Imagery Analysis for Site Identification
Evaluation of Desert and Degraded Surfaces
Application of ETLs 97-9, 04-7, and 02-19
DAFMAN 13-217 and AFSOC Supplement
Operational Risk Assessment
Obstruction Clearance and Hazards
Surface Gradient Evaluation
Desert Environmental Effects on Service Life
Imagery-Based Site Selection Methods
Semi-Prepared Surface Evaluation
Aircraft Movement Area Suitability
Instructional Approach
Immersive, Scenario-Driven Training
The Desert Landing Site (DLS)™ course is delivered through structured instruction and applied field exercises focused on desert and degraded operating environments. Training emphasizes disciplined survey methods, imagery-based site analysis, and systematic evaluation of unprepared and semi-prepared surfaces. Instruction is deliberate and methodical, reinforcing accuracy, repeatability, and proper application of established survey standards.
Students assess terrain, surface condition, and environmental factors that affect landing site suitability and service life. Emphasis is placed on hazard identification and mitigation, including obstruction clearance, surface gradient evaluation, displaced threshold determination, and measurement of surface degradation indicators. Instruction integrates SPACI-related data collection to support accurate movement area evaluation and informed aircraft operating decisions in austere desert environments.
Operational Environment
Realistic Training Scenarios
Training is conducted in representative desert and degraded environments selected to support accurate evaluation of landing site suitability. Field locations are chosen to expose students to terrain, surface conditions, and environmental factors commonly encountered during desert operations, allowing surveyors to apply established methods under realistic but controlled conditions.
The focus is on understanding how desert terrain, surface degradation, and environmental effects influence service life, aircraft movement, and operational risk. Through guided instruction and repetition, students develop sound technical judgment and consistent survey practices, enabling reliable assessments and decision-ready DLS products that support safe aircraft operations in austere environments.
Target Audience
This course is designed for survey teams and personnel responsible for assessing, selecting, and managing desert landing sites in support of expeditionary airfield operations. It is intended for individuals and small teams tasked with evaluating unprepared and semi-prepared surfaces, identifying hazards, and producing accurate survey products in desert and degraded operating environments.
Participants develop the technical understanding and procedural discipline required to apply established survey standards, assess environmental and surface-related risks, and support informed aircraft operating decisions. The course reinforces consistent evaluation methods and sound judgment to enable safe and effective use of desert landing sites across a range of operational conditions.
Training Outcomes
Enhanced Operational Readiness
Upon completion of the Desert Landing Site (DLS)™ course, participants possess a clear understanding of how to evaluate, select, and manage desert landing sites using disciplined survey methods and current Air Force guidance. Graduates are better prepared to assess surface condition, environmental effects, and operational limitations associated with desert and degraded operating environments.
Participants leave the course with the ability to identify hazards, apply established criteria, and produce accurate, decision-ready DLS survey products. The training reinforces sound technical judgment and consistent evaluation practices that support safe aircraft operations and informed operating decisions in austere desert environments.
Take the Next Step
Interested in Desert Landing Site (DLS)™ training? Request additional information to learn how this course prepares survey teams to evaluate, select, and manage desert landing sites using disciplined methods and current Air Force guidance. Our team is available to provide course details and answer questions.