U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel Clarke places an aircrew member's chemical warfare flight suit into his respective locker after inspection Sept. 1, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The aircrew flight equipment shop houses more than 1,400 individual lockers for aircrew members from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron to the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Aircrew chemical gear is inspected every 18 months to ensure materials and devices still maintain safe functionality. Airman Clarke is an aircrew flight equipment technician with the 437th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Amber Engelhart tests a hush kit ear cups on an aircrew member's helmet Sept. 1, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Technicians test the communication systems in the helmets by connecting an external intercom unit. The external unit simulates an aircraft's communication system, allowing the technician to test both transmitting and receiving capabilities. Helmet communication tests are performed after every flight or every 90 days. Airman Engelhart is an aircrew flight equipment technician with 437th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

Isreal Middleton carefully adjusts and feeds thread through a sewing machine Sept. 1, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Using a sewing machine vastly increases productivity and accuracy and when dealing with expensive products and deadlines, every stitch counts. Mr. Middleton is a fabric worker with the 437th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

Isreal Middleton stitches together a cover for a C-17 Globemaster III pilot chair headrest Sept. 1, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The fabric shop makes many diverse products for the base as well as repairs and maintains equipment which can save a great deal of money on replacements. The shop makes everything from headrest covers to pilot seat covers out of sheep skin while repairing equipment like floatation rafts and cargo nets used by the 437th Aerial Port Squadron. Mr. Middleton is a fabric worker with the 437th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

Senior Airman James McMillan replaces the seal on a pair of night vision goggles after replacing the nitrogen during an inspection Sept. 1, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The nitrogen helps amplify any available light allowing Airmen to operate or fly in extremely low light environments. The nitrogen also acts as a gas lubricant allowing the internal parts to move freely. The NVGs are inspected before and after flight and after 180 days. Airman McMillan is a NVG technician with the 437th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

Senior Airman James McMillan runs through a spot and defects check on a pair of night vision goggles Sept. 1, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Checking for defects and spots in the NVGs is just as important as making sure they function in low-light situations. Spots and defects could lead to falsely identifying a target or missing a target putting the user in harms way. Night vision devices were first used in World War II and came into wide use during the Vietnam War. Airman McMillan is a NVG technician with the 437th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

Staff Sgt. Rico Kones stands with life preservers surrounded by floatation equipment Sept. 1, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. All floatation devices are put through a six-hour leaks check, ensuring all rafts and personal life preservers are ready to be packed and used. The C-17 Globemaster III has three 46-man rafts and 110 personal life preservers onboard in case of emergency, which are packed and maintained by the floatation shop. Sergeant Kones is an aircrew flight equipment craftsman with the 437th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)