Features NDI: Seeing between the cracks Photos by Senior Airman Thomas Karol 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs December 16, 2022 The members from the 86th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection flight pose for a photo at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Dec. 2, 2022. The 86th MXS NDI flight is one of the smallest units in their squadron, but is still responsible for inspections on all of the base’s and transient aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rictaveon Greene, 86th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection journeyman, uses a device to measure an object’s magnetic field at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 30, 2022. The 86th MXS NDI flight uses a variety of tools and instruments to assist them in finding nearly microscopic fractures in aircraft parts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rictaveon Greene, 86th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection Journeyman, dips a tire rim into liquid penetrant to look for damage at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Greene and other members of the 86th MXS NDI flight use chemicals like liquid penetrant to locate fractures and damage, which is otherwise invisible to the human eye. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rictaveon Greene, 86th Maintenance Squadron non destructive inspection journeyman, holds a vial of magnetic particle inspection liquid under a black light at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 30, 2022. The 86th MXS NDI flight is responsible for finding hairline fractures and other minuscule breakages in aircraft or equipment to ensure they are always structurally sound. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rictaveon Greene, 86th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection journeyman, checks a technical order at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 30, 2022. Members of the 86th MXS NDI flight must wear a variety of personal protective equipment due to the potentially harmful chemicals and equipment they use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol) A copper covered magnet is placed in position test for hairline fractures and malfunctions at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 30, 2022. The 86th Maintenance Squadron non destructive inspection flight uses large magnets to detect breakages in aircraft parts too small to be seen by the naked eye. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol) U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Sommer, 86th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive Inspection noncommissioned officer in charge and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rictaveon Greene, 86th MXS NDI journeyman, inspect aircraft parts and check technical orders at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Dec. 2, 2022. Sommer oversees the NDI shop and is responsible for inspecting every aircraft in the 86th Airlift Wing and additional aircraft from visiting wings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol) « Previous × Next » Share Tweet