Photo By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Riddle | U.S. Air Force Airman Staff Sgt. Jarrod Trent, 62d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron...... read more read more
McChord’s C-17 Globemaster III dedicated crew chief program began in June 2023 by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Davids and Senior Airman David Cook, both current 62d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chiefs.
When asked about the origins of the program, Davids recounted a story of an aircraft maintenance Airman, right out of tech school, arriving to McChord and being ecstatic at the thought of becoming a DCC. Unfortunately, the hard news had to be broken to the young Airman, McChord did not have a DCC program however, Davids and Cook were there to answer their airlift wing’s call. They created McChord’s DCC program in the Silver Aircraft Maintenance Unit first, and later helped to establish and merge the program with Blue AMU’s new DCC program a few months later. This program also included and still includes assistant dedicated crew chiefs, a position allowing Airman to guide toward the coveted position of a McChord DCC.
Almost two years later, the program is thriving with over 25 DCCs and over 35 ADCCs between the two aircraft maintenance units. Many DCCs and ADCCs have even gone so far as to give their aircraft unofficial names and create banners for their C-17’s particular personality.
Davids noted, “Ever since we started this program, I have seen not just a decrease in delayed discrepancies, but more importantly an increase in moral. The program has really given AMXS Airman something to take ownership of and have pride in every time they see their name on that plane.” Davids also spoke to the fact that unlike some other U.S. Air Force aircraft’s DCCs, C-17 DCCs have some added difficulty; their planes are always on the go! It is difficult to maintain your pride and joy when it isn’t here, said Davids.
Senior Airman Tammaro, 62d AMXS dedicated crew chief, commented that his aircraft, 0187, is sort of like the “guinea pig” for aircraft updates. Tammaro noted, “0187 is Boeing’s primary modification jet at McChord.” When Boeing develops updates for 62d AW’s C-17s, they often and primarily use tail 0187 as the aircraft to test and determine fleet feasibility of prospective modifications.
Airman First Class Jacob Eakle, 62d AMXS assistant dedicated crew chief, spoke to the fulfilment he gets as an ADCC. “I take pride in seeing my jet on the line,” said Eakle. “I take pride in seeing my jet in the air.”
Don’t be mistaken however, becoming a DCC is not a simple task. As a crew chief (or specialty aircraft maintenance position like electrical and environmental systems specialists, hydraulic systems specialists, and others) you need to have a complete understanding of aircraft fundamentals, the recommendation of your supervisors and peers, and the aptitude and motivation needed to get the job done. In addition, you also will need to interview with the DCC program manager, Davids, and be selected as a ADCC or DCC before assuming the full responsibility.
“As the DCC manager, I don’t just allow anyone to have their name on the aircraft,” said Davids. “Earned, Not Given. It’s not just a motto or a slogan or a tagline. It means that you are a committed and devoted aircraft maintenance Airman. It means you really know your stuff. It means that you have the professionalism, drive, and guts to say, ‘Hey, this aircraft is mine and if something is wrong with it, I’m going to be there to fix it.”
The huge weight of responsibility that each McChord DCC and ADCC has, is certainly not lost on their leadership teams.
“Dedicated Crew Chiefs are an invaluable asset to executing today’s global airlift mission,” said Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Shroyer, 62d AMXS Silver AMU superintendent. “They provide a deep sense of ownership and pride in the 40 C-17s we maintain by working aircraft discrepancies that are completed behind the scenes while developing themselves as maintenance managers. The DCC Team’s pinpointed focus on single aircraft enables maintenance at a micro-level ensuring aircraft are ready and reliable for prolonged off station missions.”
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2025 12:14 |
| Story ID: | 494239 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Disciplined Devoted Care: McChord’s DCC Program, by A1C Benjamin Riddle, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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