Designated crew chief program returns to Edwards

  • Published
  • By Laura Mowry
  • Staff Writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Edwards honored 35 designated crew chiefs from the 445th Aircraft Maintenance Unit during a recognition ceremony in Hangar 1207, March 5. The designated crew chief program was reimplemented at the unit when it increased the number of its military maintainers.

The ceremony marked the return of the program and recognized the significance of becoming a designated crew chief, as well as the immense responsibility. In addition to honoring the designated crew chiefs and assigning them to their aircraft, the ceremony provided a unique opportunity to bring maintenance and operations together.

"The ceremony jumpstarts the relationship between designated crew chief and pilot," said Tech. Sgt. Mark Lochmaier, 445th AMU airframe powerplant and general assistant section chief. The pilots count on the designated crew chief to ensure their aircraft is safe and maintained properly."

The designated crew chiefs of the 445th AMU oversee maintenance on F-16 and T-38 aircraft for the 445th Flight Test Squadron and United States Air Force Test Pilot School. The aircraft are used for a variety of purposes including safety chase, aerial photography, and test pilot missions. While the 13 designated crew chiefs for the T-38 aircraft remain civilian, the 22 individuals assigned to F-16 aircraft are now active duty Airmen.

The flight test mission at Edwards presents the 445th AMU designated crew chiefs with unique challenges.

"The mission at Edwards dictates that the aircraft are really pushed to the limits," said Maj. Anthony Antoline, 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. That adds much more responsibility to the designated crew chiefs, knowing that aircraft pushing the envelope drives more maintenance and takes its toll on the aircraft."

The program establishes familiarity with an aircraft for the designated crew chiefs and adds a personal element associated with seeing a familiar face. Once mandatory, the program has since become optional. For Antoline however, the program is too important to be optional.

"The program is extremely helpful when it comes to troubleshooting and diagnosing problems. It helps maintenance when you become familiar with an aircraft similar to how someone knows their own car," said Antoline. "Additionally, it puts a face to maintenance. It makes it personal and familiar."

The high operations tempo of the 445th FLTS results from the support for ongoing test programs at Edwards. It is their responsibility to generate sorties for the USAF TPS, F-35, and F-22, among other programs. Due to their critical supporting role, the aircraft must be ready to support the mission of flight test.

"The designated crew chiefs of the 412th AMXS have an incredible responsibility. Not only are their aircraft pushing the limits, but due to the complexities of flight test, they also face a very high operations tempo," said Antoline. "The flight test mission cannot happen without the 445th FLTS. It's a lot of responsibility to make sure those aircraft are always ready to support the flight test mission."

Air Force Flight Test Center and 412th Test Wing leadership attended the ceremony and demonstrated their support, highlighting the significance of the ceremony and the responsibility of the designated crew chiefs.

Brig. Gen. Robert C. Nolan II, AFFTC commander, provided closing remarks at the ceremony and urged both the pilots and designated crew chiefs to teach and learn from each other and discussed the importance of the designated crew chief.

"This is an important event for the Air Force Flight Test Center. This is a dangerous business for all involved. Take pride and ownership in your aircraft," said Nolan. "Establish a relationship with the aircrew. Remember, it's a two-way street, teach each other."

When Nolan flies with the 445th FLTS, he will fly in the F-16 with tail number 85-1460. The designated crew chief assigned to the flagship is Staff Sgt. Derick Duback, 445th AMU.

"It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become a designated crew chief, but to be assigned to a flagship means that you have proven yourself above and beyond," said Lochmaier.

This is not Duback's first time working as a designated crew chief, although it is his first experience being assigned to a flagship.

"I've spent a lot of time learning the job and earning my place in the field. I've never been on a flagship, so getting that designation is pretty cool," said Duback. "I look forward to being able to talk to General Nolan and learn about the flight test mission. It will be a great opportunity to learn and pass the information along to my Airmen."