Nondestructive Inspection Airmen learn to look beneath the surface Published Feb. 14, 2024 By Julie Svoboda 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Over the course of 51 training days, Nondestructive Inspection instructors from the 82nd Training Wing’s 359th Training Squadron Detachment 1 teach future NDI Airmen how to use technologies like x-ray, ultrasound, eddy currents and oil analysis to detect miniscule defects safely and effectively in aircraft bodies and engines before they turn into larger, more dangerous problems. Tech. Sgt. Cannen Hodgsen, NDI Instructor, demonstrates a digital microscope used to find evidence of damage undetectable to the naked eye. The NDI School is located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res According to Tech Sgt. Cannen Hodgson, NDI Instructor, the career field is sought after in the maintenance community because the techniques used are not specific to any aircraft, meaning an NDI Airman can go anywhere there are planes. Additionally, the work itself is fulfilling. “I like being able to go out there and competently do an inspection and come to a conclusion,” he said. “The result could be ‘it's cracked,’ or ‘it's broken,’ or ‘Yeah, you're good to go, this airframe can still fly.’ It’s a field day whenever NDI finds damage. It's a big deal sometimes, depending on what the technical order says. I like that instant gratification when I do my job and I get the result.” Equally fulfilling to Hodgson has been his time as an NDI instructor at NAS Pensacola. He said he enjoys both the perks of the coastal location and the camaraderie of a joint-service environment, where instructors from different branches often compare NDI methods. The most rewarding aspect of the position, though, is the opportunity to shape the future of the career field. Airman Nathaniel Baker performs an eddy current inspection on the main landing gear door of an F-16A trainer. NDI Airmen use a variety of methods to find evidence of damage on aircraft. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “I wanted to be an instructor for several different reasons,” he said. “I liked the training aspect of my job. Even before I was an instructor, I was heavily into training. I really liked that aspect of the job - being able to instill my knowledge and in my experiences into these brand-new Airmen. I want it to be that first line of like, ‘Hey, this is what NDI is like, this is what you can expect.’” The 82nd Training Wing is the largest and most diversified training wing under the Air Education and Training Command.