Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jamon Mitchell, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, welds two simulated aircraft structures together within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. 378th EMXS aircraft metals technology specialists create mission-critical components from raw metal using precision machining and welding, ensuring the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing’s ability to rapidly establish credible, combat-ready forces and proactively deter adversarial threats within the U.S. CENTCOM AOR.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jamon Mitchell, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, operates a plasma cutter to create a custom aircraft part within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. 378th EMXS aircraft metals technology specialists ensure every manufactured aircraft component meets exact specifications and tolerances, sustaining the U.S. Air Force’s ability to remain a highly agile fighting force for deterring regional threats and achieving strategic advantage over competitors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin Yang, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance specialist, drills a hole in a simulated aircraft structure within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. 378th EMXS aircraft structural maintenance specialists inspect, repair and fabricate aircraft structures to ensure airframes remain mission-ready in increasingly complex environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

From left, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexie Delgado, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jared Napper, 378th EMXS aircraft metals technology specialist, perform a measurement check on a recently constructed aircraft component within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. The 378th EMXS fabrication flight provides mission-critical aircraft components, sustaining the U.S. Air Forces’s expeditionary capability to rapidly establish credible, combat-ready forces and proactively deter adversarial threats within the U.S. CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jeremy Lopez, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, welds an aluminum component within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. 378th EMXS aircraft metals technology specialists are highly trained in welding, machining, fabrication and are responsible for diagnosing, repairing and producing precision metal components essential to maintaining aircraft structural integrity and mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin Yang, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance specialist, assembles a simulated aircraft structure within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. 378th EMXS aircraft structural maintenance specialists maintain the integrity of airframes through corrosion control, metal repair and composite fabrication, ensuring rapid airpower generation in protection of regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jared Napper, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, checks the tightness of screws on a computer numerical control machine bed within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. The 378th EMXS fabrication flight utilizes CNC machinery to construct crucial aircraft components from raw metals, ensuring 378th Air Expeditionary Wing’s ability to rapidly generate combat airpower in support of regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jared Napper, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, operates a computer numerical control machine within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. The 378th EMXS fabrication flight promotes the collective development of airpower by manufacturing and maintaining critical components, effectively ensuring the lethality and readiness of the U.S. Air Force to defend against regional security and stability challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jared Napper, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, takes a precise measurement with a micrometer within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. 378th EMXS aircraft metals technology specialists are responsible for providing the components necessary to maintain the integrity of mission-critical equipment, ensuring the U.S. remains a highly agile fighting force in support of the long-term security and stability of the U.S. CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jared Napper, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, takes precision measurements of simulated aircraft structures within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. 378th EMXS aircraft metals technology specialists achieve precise measurements and exact tolerances, ensuring mission-critical equipment is readily available to provide safe, reliable and timely generation of combat airpower in support of regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)

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Forging the Fight: 378th EMXS fabrication flight maintains laser-focused precision

Published Aug. 19, 2025
By Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger
378th Air Expeditionary Wing

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY -- U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jamon Mitchell, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, welds two simulated aircraft structures together within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. 378th EMXS aircraft metals technology specialists create mission-critical components from raw metal using precision machining and welding, ensuring the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing’s ability to rapidly establish credible, combat-ready forces and proactively deter adversarial threats within the U.S. CENTCOM AOR.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)