Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron walk across the flightline after conducting an inspection on an F-16C Fighting Falcon within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. NDI technicians are responsible for identifying possible defects in systems and equipment before and after aircraft take flight to mitigate the risk of structural failure or hazardous conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Charles Cross, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection journeyman, uses a water-based couplant on a reference standard metal within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. This process allows for the calibration of the ultrasonic machine to test for delamination on the aircraft. NDI technicians use a range of tools and various techniques, including x-rays and ultrasound, to examine aircraft parts and equipment for flaws or defects that may not be visible to the naked eye. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dylan Alcantara, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection journeyman, inspects for cracks along the canopy seal of an F-16C Fighting Falcon using an eddy current machine within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. The canopy seal is assessed for damages after every 50 flight hours, maintaining structural integrity to ensure safe flying operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian Kitur, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection section lead, uses a tap hammer to inspect for disbonds along the wing of an F-16C Fighting Falcon within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. Disbonds, or delamination, can occur when paint on the aircraft has separated into layers, requiring the aircraft to be repainted before resuming flying operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Leilani Strickland, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection section lead, rinses a magnetic chip detector in isopropyl alcohol within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. NDI technicians perform multiple rinses on MCDs to remove any excess oil or debris before conducting the inspection. MCD inspections are conducted after every flight to test for various metals that can cause critical damage within the engine of an F-16C Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Charles Cross, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection journeyman, reviews a reference card for an ultrasonic unit within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. Ultrasonic units, along with a reference standard metal, set the basis for what NDI technicians should inspect when testing for delamination within the paint of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Leilani Strickland, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection section lead, places a magnetic chip detector tab on top of an MCD for a routine inspection within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. MCD inspections are conducted after every flight, to test the health of aircraft engines by revealing the chemical composition of any metal particles that adhered to the tab. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Charles Cross, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection journeyman, references a technical order while using an ultrasonic unit within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. The TO provides instruction on how to properly calibrate an ultrasonic unit for a delamination inspection on an F-16C Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dylan Alcantara, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection journeyman, uses a probe attached to an eddy current machine to inspect for cracks along the canopy seal of an F-16C Fighting Falcon within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. The canopy seal ensures an airtight closure over the cockpit of the aircraft to enable pilots to conduct aerial combat maneuvers at an altitude of up to 50,000 ft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Integrity and Precision: non-destructive inspection technicians ensure aircraft safety

Published June 2, 2025
By Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger
378th Air Expeditionary Wing

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY -- U.S. Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron walk across the flightline after conducting an inspection on an F-16C Fighting Falcon within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 12, 2025. NDI technicians are responsible for identifying possible defects in systems and equipment before and after aircraft take flight to mitigate the risk of structural failure or hazardous conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)