Crew chiefs ensure Panthers fly with precision

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nunez | F-15E Strike Eagles, assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, rest on the flightline at Los Llanos Air Base, Spain Sept. 16. Tactical Leadership Programme 16-3 showcases how the U.S. trains side-by-side with NATO Allies and partners, so they are prepared to meet future security challenges as a unified force. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Emerson Nuñez)  

ALBACETE, SPAIN

09.21.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Emerson Nunez 

48th Fighter Wing

For dedicated crew chiefs assigned to the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, keeping a $31.1 million fighter jet combat ready is just part of the daily grind.

In Spain, crew chiefs are ready to meet any challenge. Their dedication enables the 494th Fighter Squadron to fly with 10 other nations in support of NATO Tactical Leadership Programme 16-3.

"Crew chiefs make the air force go 'round," said Staff Sgt. Collin Platt, 48th AMXS dedicated crew chief. "If crew chiefs weren't here, jets wouldn't fly. It’s a demanding job, with a lot of tasks that need to be accomplished to make sure the jets fly safely."

Unlike other maintainers, dedicated crew chiefs perform routine and preventative maintenance on the entire aircraft, instead of a particular system or sub-system. They guarantee everything on the aircraft is upheld according to standards, to keep pilots safe while flying and execute mission requirements.

"The best part of my job is when we are in a deployed location and when we see a jet that we worked on get loaded up with munitions and then come back with all of the payload gone," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Augustine, 48th AMXS dedicated crew chief. "It's a pretty good feeling, because we know we provided quality jets for air power."

Throughout its 39-year history, TLP has become the focal point for NATO’s Allied Air Forces tactical training, developing the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to face today's air tactical challenges. Other participants for TLP 16-3 include Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, France, and the U.K.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2016
• Date Posted: 09.22.2016 02:30
• Story ID: 210149
• Location: ALBACETE, ES