ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airman 1st Class Stephen Barker, 28th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment apprentice, ensures suspension lines are separated before packing a back automatic-22 parachute here, Aug. 10. Every inch of the parachute must be inspected before it is considered serviceable for aircrew use. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)

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ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airman 1st Class Stephen Barker, 28th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment apprentice, stows the lines of a back automatic-22 parachute here, Aug.10. Aircrew flight equipment members inspect and pack an average of four parachutes a week to ensure safety standards are met. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)

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ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- (Left) Airmen 1st Class Devin Hewitt and Stephen Barker, 28th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment apprentices, inspect and pack several back automatic-22 parachutes here, Aug. 10. The parachutes are inspected and repacked every 180 days. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)

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ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- (Left) Airmen 1st Class Devin Hewitt and Stephen Barker, 28th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment apprentices, inspect and pack several back automatic-22 parachutes here, Aug. 10. The parachutes are inspected and repacked every 180 days. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)

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ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airman 1st Class Devin Hewitt, 28th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment apprentice, stows the lines of a back automatic-22 parachute here, Aug. 10. Every inch of the parachute must be inspected before it is considered serviceable for aircrew use. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)

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Parachute precision (photo feature)

Published Aug. 12, 2009