Photo By Tech. Sgt. Michael Brown | Dedicated Crew Chiefs of the 141st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron pose for a photo...... read more read more
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Thirteen years after disassembling the dedicated crew chief program, the 141st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, reinstated the program Oct. 1, 2021.
Six aircraft have entered the program. Each aircraft has a dedicated team, consisting of a dedicated crew chief and an assistant DCC.
141st AMXS crew chiefs are responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and safety of the KC-135 Stratotanker — identifying malfunctions, replacing parts, conducting inspections, maintaining records and coordinating specialized aircraft care.
What makes a DCC different from all the rest? The designation of DCC is reserved for the most qualified and hardworking crew chiefs. It’s a title most crew chiefs strive to obtain and are selected based on their leadership qualities, proficiency and initiative. A DCC is assigned to a single aircraft for which they are responsible. Their names are even painted along the side to show their commitment.
The DCC program is a longstanding Air Force tradition. Pilots and DCCs had a particularly close relationship back in WWII; crew chiefs would stop at nothing to keep their aircraft and pilot safe. The tradition also included naming and painting their aircraft, featuring iconic embellishments and artwork.
The 141st DCCs are fond of sticking to tradition, too. One team has already named their aircraft, tail 1492: Maria, after Columbus’ ship. Crew chief Master Sgt. Jake Young described personal touches as a way to foster a sense of ownership and pride for each DCC team, helping to create a symbiotic relationship between pilot, aircraft and mechanic.
“The DCC program creates a personal accountability to the maintenance of your aircraft,” said Young. “When your name is attached to the tail, you take pride in it and the end result is a more consistent and higher quality product.”
After gaining maintenance control over these six jets the DCCs will start to inspect every inch, garnering key information on what makes that jet tick.
“Every jet has its own personality,” said DCC Master Sgt.gt Jared Olney. “Working on the same jet day after day, the better you get to know it and the easier it is to identify problems before they happen. Ultimately bettering our ability to consistently put safe aircraft in the hands of our pilots.”
DCCs will also fly with the jet on most taskings to keep maintenance control, often pushing the crew chiefs to deploy more frequently or work longer days.
“The amount of work that we’ve had to take on is monumental but it’s something that is exciting,” said Olney. “To take ownership of the aircraft even if it means staying late or going on more trips with the aircraft — it’s worth it.”
Collectively, the 141st crew chiefs are excited to reestablish a DCC program and continue the legacy. A tradition that will be continually passed down, instilling a commitment of hard work, perseverance, and a sense of 141st pride in future young crew chiefs.
| Date Taken: | 11.01.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.06.2021 14:25 |
| Story ID: | 408804 |
| Location: | FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 187 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, The renewal of a legacy: 141st AMXS Dedicated Crew Chief Program, by TSgt Kayleigh Phillips, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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