An AV-8B Harrier II attack jet, piloted by Capt. Niel E. Booher, takes off during field carrier landing practice on the island of Ie Shima April 27. Booher was one of nine Harrier pilots who refreshed his pilot skills with two days of practice. Booher is the Powerline Division officer for Marine Attack Squadron 214, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, currently serving as the Harrier detachment for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

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IE SHIMA, Okinawa (May 5, 2006) -- The high-pitched whine becomes louder as the AV-8B Harrier II attack jet screams over the ocean towards a simulated aircraft carrier. In a matter of seconds, the aircraft slows and settles smoothly onto the "deck" for a successful landing.

Nine Harrier pilots with Marine Attack Squadron 214, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, refreshed their pilot skills with two days of field carrier landing practice on Ie Shima April 25 and 27.

It is standard practice for Harrier pilots to practice carrier landings in a simulated environment, according to Maj. Samuel Smith, the officer in charge of the Harrier detachment.

"(Carrier landing practice) is a good way for the pilots to re-familiarize themselves with landing procedures in a safe, familiar environment," Smith explained. "When it comes time to land on a boat, the pilot and ship's crew will be safer."

All of the pilots have flown countless hours and conducted numerous landings, according to Capt. Ryan Colvert, a Harrier pilot with the detachment.

"It's not too stressful; we all know what we're doing," Colvert said. "(The qualifications are) more for practice than anything else."

The more experienced pilots do what pilots often refer to as "chair flying" to prepare for the landings, Colvert explained.

"You go through all the procedures of the flight in your head before flying," he said. "It helps you mentally prepare yourself for the flight."

The practice also allowed the Harrier detachment to work with the Marines of Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, who kept the Harriers ready for flight.

"We couldn't have done this without MWSS-172 there to keep us fueled up and ready to go," Smith said.

VMA-214 is currently serving as the Harrier detachment for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.