More than meets the eye

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Long, a 354th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection (NDI) apprentice, views a captured image of an F-16 torque tube Nov. 8, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. NDI is a maintenance back-shop tasked with finding and detecting possible cracks that could interfere with an aircraft and the equipment that supports them during operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Long, a 354th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection (NDI) apprentice, views an x-ray film of an F-16 torque tube Nov. 8, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. NDI specialists are trained to use various methods to detect cracks, voids, or flaws on aircraft and supporting equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Long, a 354th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection (NDI) apprentice, verifies a crack on a front frame engine strut Nov. 8, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Constant wear and tear occurs on aircraft often with no visible signs; the techniques NDI Airmen use enable them to detect wear and tear and identify problems on aircrafts that could potentially be life-threatening if not found. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Long, a 354th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection (NDI) apprentice, verifies a crack on a front frame engine strut Nov. 8, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. NDI is a maintenance back-shop tasked with finding and detecting possible cracks that could interfere with an aircraft and the equipment that supports them during operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Long, a 354th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection (NDI) apprentice, conducts a daily calibration on a magnetic particle machine Nov. 8, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The NDI shop is part of the 354th Maintenance Group, and while they don’t turn a wrench or swing a hammer, their mission takes precedence when unknown flaws need to be found. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Long, a 354th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection (NDI) apprentice, conducts a daily calibration on a magnetic particle machine Nov. 8, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The NDI Airmen examine aircraft and aircraft equipment to ensure the integrity of the part or aircraft is safe for daily use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Long, a 354th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection (NDI) apprentice, conducts a daily calibration on a magnetic particle machine Nov. 8, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Constant wear and tear occurs on aircraft often with no visible signs; the techniques NDI Airmen use enable them to detect wear and tear and identify problems on aircrafts that could potentially be life-threatening if not found. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Long, a 354th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection (NDI) apprentice, poses for a photo in front of a front frame engine strut Nov. 8, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The NDI Airmen examine aircraft and aircraft equipment to ensure the integrity of the part or aircraft is safe for daily use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)