Kadena's 67th FS, AMU honor new dedicated crew chiefs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zackary A. Henry
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
3/31/2015 KADENA AIR BASE, JAPAN --  Members from the 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit were recognized as maintenance experts on their respective aircraft and were each paired with an F-15C Eagle and pilot during a dedicated crew chief ceremony here today.

U.S. Air Force Col. David Mineau, 18th Operations Group commander, explained the importance of a dedicated crew chief.

"The Dedicated Crew Chief Ceremony is when the fighter squadron and aircraft maintenance unit come together to recognize the dedicated crew chief for each assigned aircraft and assistant dedicated crew chief," said Mineau. "They are the ones primarily responsible for the majority of maintenance, launch and recovery of that aircraft."

In order to become a dedicated crew chief, maintainers must demonstrate superior performance in compliance with safety practices and technical requirements while displaying managerial skills and leadership abilities.

The ceremony consisted of each crew chief coming forward to be awarded and coined by their respective aircraft's pilot.

It is more than just being recognized though; it is also about building a bond between maintainers and pilots.

"[Pilots] throw this ceremony for us to build that relationship," said Airman 1st Class Jerrick Salley, 67th AMU assistant dedicated crew chief. "It's so they know us and we know them and they trust us better as well."

Salley went on to say that it was also pretty awesome to have his name on the side of an F-15C Eagle.

Each pilot puts their full trust and confidence in their dedicated crew chief to provide them with an aircraft that will get them home safely each and every time they go out on a mission.