The legacy of dedicated crew chiefs

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ryan Brooks | Pilots from the 555th Fighter Squadron stand to honor the 26 newly inducted dedicated crew chiefs April 2, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Pilots rely on DCCs to maintain and service their aircraft.  

AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY

04.18.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Ryan Brooks 

31st Fighter Wing

“Crew chiefs inspect, service, clean, perform scheduled maintenance, and fix aircraft,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Borchansky, 555th Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant aircraft section chief. “Dedicated crew chiefs, however, are responsible for a particular plane.”

Along with the responsibility of being assigned to a specific aircraft comes the time honored tradition of painting the DCCs’ names on the sides of their jets. The history of these mechanically inclined craftsmen span the pages of every modern war since the dawn of avionics.

“The story goes that, during WWII, crew chiefs would remind pilots that while they’re loaning out their aircraft for the fight, they’ll need to bring it back in good condition,” said Borchansky. “They wanted them to know that, ‘all we’re doing is letting you fly our aircraft. While it’s on the ground, it’s ours and we take care of it. This is our baby. We’re going to let you use it and do what you need to do in combat, but don’t break it too hard.’”

Pilots and crew chiefs have a relationship not unlike that of a racecar driver and his crew chief. While their particular jobs are very different, these officers and enlisted Airmen work hand in hand to accomplish the same objective: air superiority.

“They’re pilots’ teammates on the ground looking after the jets, making sure they’re ready to fly and ready to go,” said Capt. Ian Faulkenberry, a 555th Fighter Squadron pilot. “They’re the guys who do the last inspection before we take off. You can always trust the fact that a jet is going to be safe. My dedicated crew chief is my biggest teammate on the ground.”

The words of Orville Wright speak to the ever growing importance of DCCs today with the increasing technology and lethality of modern aircrafts. After failing to dissuade a fellow pioneer in aviation, Calbraith Perry Rodgers, from attempting an “impossible” transcontinental flight, Wright said, “We will lend you our best mechanic and, oh, God, how you will need him.” Rodgers did need him. After 70 stops, both intentional and unintentional, and countless crashes and repairs later, Rodgers made the journey with the help of Taylor, his dedicated crew chief.

Staff Sgt. Andrew Pasion, 555th AMU dedicated crew chief, worked many years sharpening his leadership abilities and technical knowledge to finally be counted among the ranks of DCCs. He, along with 26 others, stood before his squadron commander in a ceremony and received the honor of being named a DCC of his own $30 million aircraft, April 2, at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

“It’s taken me three years to become a dedicated crew chief and I’ve been a regular crew chief for almost seven years,” said Pasion. “It’s my responsibility to get the pilot in the sky delivering airpower and back home safe to his family. I’ve got my name on that jet so I have to do everything I can to make it combat ready. I have Airmen under my supervision, so it’s my duty to teach them to be as good as me or better.”

After 70 years of Air Force history and 115 years since Charlie Taylor contributed to the Wright brothers’ first flight, many gifted mechanics have come and gone, leaving a little bit of themselves behind in their apprentices who continue the legacy of flying machines. Considering the original dedicated crew chief also invented the first aircraft engine while doing basic bike repairs in the Wright brothers’ bicycle shop, the newest appointed DCCs have large shoes to fill. Thankfully, they’ve proven themselves as the world’s best.

• Date Taken: 04.18.2018
• Date Posted: 04.18.2018 03:51
• Story ID: 273462
• Location: AVIANO AIR BASE, IT