SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- Fundamentally, the job of an Air Force crew chief is to ensure that his or her aircraft is ready to fly when needed.
To do that, the crew chief often spends long hours on the flight line -- in all kinds of weather -- making sure that maintenance and regular inspections are performed on the aircraft and coordinating the work of other maintenance specialists.
When the flight crew arrives at the aircraft, the crew chief works closely with the crew to prepare the aircraft for departure and then sends the aircraft and crew on their way with a final salute.
The crew chiefs are then on hand to "catch" the aircraft, performing similar duties after the aircraft has landed and readying it for the next flight.
At Selfridge Air National Guard Base, the KC-135 Stratotankers of the 127th Air Refueling Group are maintained by the crew chiefs of the 191st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.