260527-F-PW714-1237

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fuentes-Ayala, 6th Operation Support Squadron, aircrew flight equipment craftsman, peers through night vision goggles at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 19, 2026. Night vision equipment is maintained and inspected by AFE technicians to support aircrew mission capabilities in low-light environments. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman Micquill Davis)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
260527-F-PW714-1176

Night vision goggles are shown at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 19, 2026. NVG’s are one of the most recent additions to mission capabilities, providing tactical advantage by allowing troops to navigate, survey and engage targets in low light or zero-light conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Micquill Davis)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
260527-F-PW714-1114

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Caleb Johnson, 6th Operation Support Squadron, aircrew flight equipment apprentice, drives a high lift truck at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 19, 2026. High lift trucks are specialized, hydraulically elevated vehicles used to load and unload heavy cargo, baggage and pallets directly into the elevated cargo doors of aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Micquill Davis)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
260519-F-PW714-1111

Airmen assigned to the 6th Operation Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment, pose for a group photo at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 19, 2026. The 6th OSS AFE crew maintains and inspects critical flight and survival equipment used by pilots, boom operators and flight doctors to support mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Micquill Davis)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
260519-F-PW714-1057

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Giovanni Baxter, left, 6th Operation Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman, and Staff Sgt. Christian Mijia-Mendoza, 6th OSS aircrew flight equipment craftsman, inspect life preservers at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 19, 2026. AFE technicians routinely inspect survival equipment to ensure it is operational and ready for use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Micquill Davis)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
260519-F-PW714-1024

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Caden Crosby, left, 6th Operation Support Squadron, aircrew flight equipment apprentice, and Senior Airman Isabella Serrano, 6th OSS aircrew flight equipment journeyman, inspect a flight helmet for leaks at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 19, 2026. Leak inspections help ensure aircrew flight equipment functions properly during operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Micquill Davis)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
260519-F-PW714-1003

An HGU-55P flight helmet is displayed at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 19, 2026. Aircrew Flight Equipment technicians maintain and inspect equipment to ensure aircrew members remain safe and mission ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Micquill Davis)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

The force behind the flight: AFE Airmen ensure mission readiness

Published June 4, 2026
By Airman Micquill Davis
6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fuentes-Ayala, 6th Operation Support Squadron, aircrew flight equipment craftsman, peers through night vision goggles at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 19, 2026. Night vision equipment is maintained and inspected by AFE technicians to support aircrew mission capabilities in low-light environments. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman Micquill Davis)

260527-F-PW714-1237

260527-F-PW714-1176

260527-F-PW714-1114

260519-F-PW714-1111

260519-F-PW714-1057

260519-F-PW714-1024

260519-F-PW714-1003