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USAFE-AFAFRICA welcomes Bundeswehr command, Page 2
Substance detection training, Page 8
AI in military medicine, Page 14
Air Advisor upgrade evaluation, Pages 16 & 17
February 20, 2026 | Volume 50, Number 7
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86 Maintenance Squadron metal technicians melt limits, shape readiness Story & photos by Airman Paden Lancaster 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Inside a shop tucked away between the hangars and flightline, sparks glow bright against steel while steady hands maneuver equipment with precision. Airmen assigned to the 86th Maintenance Squadron Metals Technology Shop quietly forge the foundation of operational capabilities. Metal technicians are responsible for fabricating, welding and machining components that help keep aeronautical ground equipment and aircraft functional. When a part is unavailable or damaged, metal techs step in to provide solutions to keep maintenance timelines moving and aircraft in the air. “If we’re not here, a lot of other jobs slow down,” said Senior Airman Noah Dunn, 86th MXS metals technician journeyman. “Crew chiefs and other shops rely on us. We’re usually the last stop before something has to go to the depot.” The work is technical, deliberate and often misunderstood. Welding See TECHNICIANS on Page 3
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Noah Dunn, 86th Maintenance Squadron metals technician journeyman, creates a metallurgical bond between metal surfaces at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 17. Welding is a fabrication process that combines materials by using high heat to melt the base parts, often adding a filler material to form a strong, molten pool that cools into a solid, durable connection.
Rome: Long live the eternal city Rome is like no other place in the world. It’s a modern city that also contains some of the most ancient — and well-preserved — buildings on the planet. The streets never sleep, and the traffic can
“Good Luck, Have Fun, is the featured movie of Don’t Die” the week, Page 31
See ROME, Page 30 Forum Romanum, Rome, Italy
Photo by ms_pics_and_morek/Shutterstock.com
by MilitaryinGermany.com