• Beyond the naked eye: Nondestructive inspection

    Master Sgt. Jason Barker, 931st Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection section chief, inspects a KC-135 Stratotanker part April 1, 2025, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. NDI specialists use the penetrant liquid inspection method to detect defects in small aircraft parts, ensuring the

  • Maintenance Airmen visit WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research

    Members from Team McConnell’s 22nd Maintenance Squadron fabrications flight, tour Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research June 30, 2020 in Wichita, Kansas. This opportunity allowed Airmen from the fabrications flight to see NIAR in action, performing nondestructive

  • NDI Airmen finding the cracks

    Staff Sgt. Benjamin Reeves, 22nd Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection craftsman, uses a Sonic 1200 ultrasonic flaw detector to measure the aluminum thickness standard May 28, 2020, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The NDI flight uses the equipment that emits ultrasounds to determine a