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U.S. Air Forces Central

From Pack to Pilot: Meticulous Parachute Inspections Ensure Combat Readiness at Forward-Deployed Locations

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Megia, right, 389th Fighter Squadron aircrew flight equipment noncommissioned officer in charge, and Senior Airman Gareb Crone, 389th FS AFE technician, inspect parachute panels during an annual inspection and repack within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 4, 2025. The inspection was conducted as part of a new training opportunity aimed at broadening AFE Airmen’s ability to perform this service both at home station and while deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Jett)

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From Pack to Pilot: Meticulous Parachute Inspections Ensure Combat Readiness at Forward-Deployed Locations

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gareb Crone, 389th Fighter Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, inspects the centerline folds of a parachute during an annual inspection and repack within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 4, 2025. The seven-step inspection and repack process takes an average of six to seven hours to complete, requiring careful attention to detail to meet operational safety standards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Jett)

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From Pack to Pilot: Meticulous Parachute Inspections Ensure Combat Readiness at Forward-Deployed Locations

Scissors and other tools are set on a table during an annual inspection and repack within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 4, 2025. The inspection was conducted as part of a new training initiative aimed at broadening AFE Airmen’s ability to perform this service both at home station and while deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Jett)

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From Pack to Pilot: Meticulous Parachute Inspections Ensure Combat Readiness at Forward-Deployed Locations

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Megia, left, 389th Fighter Squadron aircrew flight equipment noncommissioned officer in charge, and Senior Airman Gareb Crone, 389th FS AFE technician, begin repacking a parachute during an annual inspection and repack within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 4, 2025. The inspection was conducted as part of a new training initiative aimed at broadening AFE Airmen’s ability to perform this service both at home station and while deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Jett)

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From Pack to Pilot: Meticulous Parachute Inspections Ensure Combat Readiness at Forward-Deployed Locations

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gareb Crone, 389th Fighter Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, grabs tools during an annual inspection and repack training within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 4, 2025. This inspection and repack event marked the first of more than a dozen upcoming training opportunities designed to enhance AFE Airmen’s skills at a forward-deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Jett)

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From Pack to Pilot: Meticulous Parachute Inspections Ensure Combat Readiness at Forward-Deployed Locations

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Megia, right, 389th Fighter Squadron aircrew flight equipment noncommissioned officer in charge, and Senior Airman Gareb Crone, 389th FS aircrew flight equipment technician removes tape from a parachute pack during an annual inspection and repack within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 4, 2025. The seven-step inspection and repack process takes an average of six to seven hours to complete, requiring careful attention to detail to meet operational safety standards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Jett)

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From Pack to Pilot: Meticulous Parachute Inspections Ensure Combat Readiness at Forward-Deployed Locations

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Megia, left, 389th Fighter Squadron aircrew flight equipment noncommissioned officer in charge, and Senior Airman Gareb Crone, 389th FS AFE technician, inspect parachute panels during an annual inspection and repack within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 4, 2025. The inspection was conducted as part of a new training opportunity aimed at broadening AFE Airmen’s ability to perform this service both at home station and while deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Jett)

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From Pack to Pilot: Meticulous Parachute Inspections Ensure Combat Readiness at Forward-Deployed Locations

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gareb Crone, 389th Fighter Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, threads parachute lines into a pack during an annual inspection and repack within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 4, 2025. By maintaining these parachutes and conducting annual inspections, AFE Airmen play a critical role in ensuring both the combat capability and the personal safety of their fighter pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Jett)

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