Lightning strikes at AFE

Airman 1st Class Ryan Joplin, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, connects an air hose to a pump to test an F-35A Lightning pilot life preserve unit June 26, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. LPUs have an integrated inflatable vest to prevent drowning and are inspected every 105 days to ensure they are operable. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Airman 1st Class Ryan Joplin, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, checks an F-35A Lightning helmet and its vehicle interface June 26, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The helmet vehicle interface is customizable to each pilot and displays mission information to the pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Airman 1st Class Ryan Joplin, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, checks an oxygen mask for an F-35A Lightning helmet June 26, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The mask prevents hypoxia symptoms by providing sufficient oxygen levels the pilot would need at higher altitudes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Airman 1st Class Ryan Joplin, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, checks an oxygen mask for an F-35A Lightning helmet June 26, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The mask prevents hypoxia symptoms by providing sufficient oxygen levels the pilot would need at higher altitudes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Airman 1st Class Ryan Joplin, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, inspects an F-35A Lightning pilot helmet June 26, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Each helmet is made specifically for a pilot, using high-quality materials to ensure they can perform strenuous missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Airman 1st Class Ryan Joplin, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, inspects an F-35A Lightning pilot helmet June 26, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Each helmet is made specifically for a pilot, using high-quality materials to ensure they can perform strenuous missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Airman 1st Class Ryan Joplin, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, prepares to connect an air hose to a pump to test an F-35A Lightning pilot life preserve unit June 26, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. LPUs have an integrated inflatable vest to prevent drowning and are inspected every 105 days to ensure they are operable. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Airman 1st Class Ryan Joplin, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, inspects the survival components of an F-35A Lightning life preservation unit June 26, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. LPUs have an integrated inflatable vest, signal mirror, combat survival evader locator, radio pamphlet, tourniquet, a flare and smoke signal, GPS, radio and infrared glow sticks and are inspected every 105 days to ensure they are operable. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Airman 1st Class Ryan Joplin, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, cleans a G-suit port connector June 26, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The connector is a convenient and efficient way to establish contact with communications systems as well as the breathing apparatus. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)