Seeing the unseen: How 5MXS’ nondestructive inspection specialists check what eyes cannot

Airman 1st Class Brendan Conklin, 5th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection technician, simulates activating the X-ray system at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, February 5, 2026. The NDI shop takes several precautions to safeguard its members while working near a radiation area, including using a Geiger counter, wearing a warning device to detect if local radiation levels are too high, and wearing a thermoluminescent dosimeter to track an individual’s lifetime exposure to radiation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)

PHOTO BY: Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum

VIRIN: 260205-F-UR202-1091.JPG

FULL SIZE: 4.68 MB

Additional Details

CAMERA

NIKON Z6_3

LENS

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

APERTURE

35/10

SHUTTERSPEED

1/200

ISO

1600

IMAGE IS PUBLIC DOMAIN

This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.

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