F-16 Pride

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Cohen Young | F-16 Demonstration Team crew chief, Chad Miller, a native of Ohio makes sure his jet is ready for takeoff before performing at the 2011 Australian International Airshow. The event is one of the largest airshows in the world. The U.S. and Australian alliance spans more than 60 years and provides an opportunity for U.S and senior military officials to engage with their Australian counterparts, and ultimately contribute toward interoperability between our forces.  

GEELONG, VI, AUSTRALIA

03.05.2011

Story by Master Sgt. Cohen Young 

DMA Pacific - Hawaii Media Bureau   

GEELONG, Australia -- F-16 crew chiefs enjoy putting on a good show in the Pacific Region and enlightening others on the jet’s capabilities.

Crew chiefs are very important to any jet and even more so on dedicated teams like the Pacific Air Force F-16 Demo Team, which is based at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Having a dedicated crew chief allows the pilot to not have to worry about anything.

“My 14 minute demo is awesome to watch, but we can’t make that happen without these crew chiefs doing the work behind it,” said F-16 Demo Pilot, Capt. Jeff Schneider. “Not only are they turning wrenches, but they’re making that jet look clean too.

“Taking my talents and being able to maintain these aircraft so that the demo pilot can do his job gives me a sense of pride,” said Staff Sgt. Chad Miller.

The team has traveled far and wide and is responsible from between Alaska and India.

“Being on the F-16 Demo Team gives me the opportunity to travel all around the Pacific,” said Miller, a native of Shreve, Ohio. “It allows me to see other Air Forces and help show our capabilities.”

Miller has been in the Air Force for nine years and most of that has been with the F-16.

“I started out at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., working on F-16’s at the test site,” said Miller. “Then I worked on the 35 program three years, then got orders, which brought me back to the F-16; I love the F-16.”

Miller has been a dedicated crew chief with the Demo Team for a little more than a year now and has enjoyed every minute of it.

“This recent trip has taken me to India, Guam and Australia and it has been a great opportunity that I might not have had if I wasn’t part of this team,” said Miller.

Teamwork is essential in a job like this where the team can be on the road for long periods of time; therefore trust is a big part of their job.

“When I take that jet up in the air, I don’t second guess anything the crew chiefs have done because I know they will get me up there safely and get me landed safely, said Schneider.

For more information about the Pacific Air force F-16 Demo Team, go to their website at: http://web.mac.com/srtsilver4/Pacaf_Demo_Team/Welcome.html

• Date Taken: 03.05.2011
• Date Posted: 03.07.2011 17:22
• Story ID: 66647
• Location: GEELONG, VI, AU