Veteran maintainer gains better insight into flight ops through immersion program

Capt. Joe Schenkel (left), 416th Flight Test Squadron F-16 test pilot, and Greg Welsh, 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintenance manager, walk out to an F-16 for Welsh’s familiarization flight that occurred Aug. 4, as part of the 412th Operations and Maintenance Immersion Program. Welsh is a 33-year veteran maintainer who was nominated by his supervisor for this program which was created to give operators and maintainers the opportunity to create positive interaction so both gain insight into each other’s work dynamic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Veteran maintainer gains better insight into flight ops through immersion program

Capt. Joe Schenkel (right), 416th Flight Test Squadron F-16 test pilot, goes over the cockpit layout with Greg Welsh, a 33-year veteran maintainer and maintenance manager with the 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, before taking part in an actual flight test mission Aug. 4, as part of the 412th Operations and Maintenance Immersion Program. This program is part of an initiative to give operators and maintainers the opportunity to create positive interaction so both gain insight into each other’s work dynamic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Veteran maintainer gains better insight into flight ops through immersion program

Capt. Joe Schenkel (front seat), 416th Flight Test Squadron F-16 test pilot, and Greg Welsh, a 33-year veteran maintainer and maintenance manager with the 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, take off Edwards Runway 22L in an F-16 for Welsh’s familiarization flight that occurred Aug. 4, as part of the 412th Operations and Maintenance Immersion Program. This program is part of an initiative to give operators and maintainers the opportunity to create positive interaction so both gain insight into each other’s work dynamic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Veteran maintainer gains better insight into flight ops through immersion program

Published Aug. 12, 2015
By Jet Fabara
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- As part of an ongoing initiative with Edwards operators and maintainers, the 412th Operations and Maintenance Immersion Program continues to create opportunities and a positive interaction so both groups gain better insight into each other's work dynamic.

Most recently, part of that effort involved Greg Welsh, a 33-year veteran maintainer and maintenance manager with the 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Capt. Joe Schenkel, 416th Flight Test Squadron F-16 test pilot, during an F-16 incentive flight Aug. 4.

"As a maintainer here, I've worked 10 different airframes over the past 33 years and the last 20 years I've worked on F-16s, but I've never flown in an F-16 so my supervisor recommended me for a familiarization flight," said Welsh.

"Incentive flights are important for two main reasons. First, it's important to show our maintainers and other test professionals what we do on a daily basis, and expose them to the mission. As pilots, we attempt to do this with our crew chiefs and maintainers daily by talking to them about the missions we are executing and explaining why their hard work is important, but nothing is more effective than an incentive flight in communicating this point," added Schenkel. "Second, it's great for morale. There are hundreds of people who work hard every day to ensure that F-16 test operations are safe and effective. It's important to reward people for their hard work and let them know their contribution is truly appreciated."

For Schenkel, this program also gave him the opportunity to see the maintenance side of the test world.

"It makes me realize the all the work that gets done behind the scenes to make sure our test missions are ready to go," Schenkel said. "This is a worthwhile program that is a win-win for everyone involved. I'm happy that leadership is on our side, and I look forward to more incentive and familiarization flights in the future."

During Welsh's flight, Schenkel mentioned they flew safety chase for an F-15 mission.
"On this mission, they were testing supersonic flying qualities," said Schenkel. "After the mission was complete, we dropped low level for about 15 minutes and I was happy to hear Greg say that was his favorite part of the mission."

"It was an awesome experience. Anytime you get the opportunity to better understand the total mission it's worth it. This experience definitely ranks right up there with one of my best experiences while working here, but really every day seems like a highlight around here," added Welsh. "I think this program really gives maintainers a good understanding of what the ops tempo and requirements are and what goes into every single test sortie that we do here because Edwards and its mission is very unique. It gives us a good perspective of why we do things the way we do so meticulously on the flightline."

The 412th Operations and Maintenance Immersion Program began at Edwards in January 2012.