An MC-1 hook blade knife is prepared for installment in a 13th Fighter Squadron pilot’s Anti-G suit before a sortie March 26, 2015, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The 35th Operations Support Squadron's aircrew flight equipment flight prepares the gear all F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots fly with, including items like their helmet and mask, survival vest, anti-exposure suit and harness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Senior Airman Robert McClung, left, 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, talks with Capt. Jeffrey Goode, 13th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, before a sortie March 26, 2015, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. As an AFE technician, McClung is responsible for preparing each pilot’s flying gear and performing scheduled maintenance to ensure its reliability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Pilot's helmet is inspected before a flight

An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot's helmet is inspected before a flight March 26, 2015, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Pilots fly hundreds of sorties each month, and the aircrew flight equipment flight works to ensure all gear meets Air Force standards through scheduled maintenance. The helmet and mask are one of many items of flight gear AFE maintains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Senior Airman Robert McClung, 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, signs off on a 120-day fit check for a pilot’s flying gear March 26, 2015, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The AFE flight performs scheduled and on-the-go maintenance on flying gear for 35th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Senior Airman Robert McClung, 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, performs a 120-day fit check on Capt. Michelle Hamland’s flight gear March 26, 2015, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. AFE performs scheduled maintenance on all pilot’s gear, including helmet and mask, survival vests, Anti-G suits, anti-exposure suits and harnesses. Hamland is a 13th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Capt. Hamland prepares for flight

Capt. Michelle Hamland, 13th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, undergoes a pressure demand leak check on her helmet as she prepares for a Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses training flight March 26, 2015, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The Aircrew flight equipment flight prepares pilots’ equipment for hundreds of flights each month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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AFE preps Misawa's pilots

Published March 27, 2015
By 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment flight is responsible for preparing all pilots' flying gear, including their helmet and mask, survival vest, anti-exposure suit and harness. Each flight works closely with 35th Fighter Wing pilots to ensure all gear is safe and meets Air Force standards. AFE is a pilot's last stop before heading to the flightline to fly. Here's a look through a typical flying day in the AFE shop.

Pilot's helmet is inspected before a flight

Capt. Hamland prepares for flight