Packing the canopy

Tech. Sgt. Steven Beaudrot and Airman 1st Class Emily Bertini fold a parachute canopy in preparation for packing on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 15, 2009. The parachutes are inspected, with tackings replaced and repacked, on a yearly basis. Sgt. Beaudrot and Airman Bertini both work in the 4th Operations Support Squadron life support flight. Sgt. Beaudrot hails from Charleston, S.C., and Airman Bertini is originally from Springtown, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Packing the canopy

Airmen from the 4th Operations Support Squadron life support flight pack the last bit of canopy into the holding canister on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 15, 2009. A tennis ball protects the mortar, an explosive device that launches the parachute, from dirt and debris and keeps the canopy from being ripped. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Packing the canopy

Airman 1st Class Emily Bertini, 4th Operations Support Squadron life support journeyman, packs a folded parachute canopy into a holding container on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 15, 2009. The parachutes are four different colors: tan, white, green and orange. The colors mimic terrain aircrew might encounter if they need to eject from their aircraft. Airman Bertini is originally from Springtown, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Packing the canopy

An Airman from the 4th Operations Support Squadron life support flight tacks back-up firing lanyards to a mortar on a parachute container at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 15, 2009. The parachute is equipped with a cord on the bottom of the canopy that allows the canopy to open slower to prevent injury of aircrew members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Packing the canopy

Airman 1st Class Emily Bertini, 4th Operations Support Squadron life support journeyman, airs a parachute canopy on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 15, 2009. Airing is the process of smoothing the canopy so it can be packed properly. Airman Bertini is originally from Springtown, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Packing the canopy

Airman 1st Class Emily Bertini, 4th Operations Support Squadron life support journeyman, opens a parachute's underwater activation release system on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 15, 2009. The UWARS attaches to the harness worn by aircrew members and will disconnect the parachute in the event of a water landing. Airman Bertini is originally from Springtown, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Packing the canopy

Airman 1st Class Emily Bertini, 4th Operations Support Squadron life support journeyman, replaces tackings on a parachute's riser on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 15, 2009. Tackings keep parachute rigging parts in place so they do not come apart. Airman Bertini hails from Springtown, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Packing the canopy

Published Dec. 17, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Rae Perry
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Pararescue, aircrew and skydivers depend on parachutes to save their lives. Parachutes allow people in perilous predicaments to plummet safely to the ground. The lives of the men and women who fly the F-15E Strike Eagle on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., rely on their life support systems provided by the 4th Operations Support Squadron. The systems include parachutes, life rafts and survival gear. The Airmen in the 4th OSS are held to a high standard when it comes to their job, because it's a matter of life or death.