LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
On the forward fuselage of the F-15C Eagle and the nose gear door on the F-22A Raptor are enlisted members' names, painted with pride, symbolizing dedication and hard work of crew chiefs.
These names mark that of the dedicated crew chief and assistant crew chief who have devoted their military training to keeping this aircraft and others like it mission ready, no matter the environment or condition.
Before a pilot ever steps to the aircraft, a crew chief can be seen on the flight line working tirelessly, ensuring Langley's mission is fulfilled. Langley's mission is to deliver airpower; train, equip and deploy Airmen; deploy, fight and win - anywhere, any time and to deliver 'first-class, first-time' support to team Langley.
"We are the life line of the aircraft," said Airman 1st Class Jordan Tompkins, 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief. "If there is no one out there inspecting, maintaining or servicing the aircraft it will not leave the ground."
Crew chiefs service hydraulics, monitor refueling and take care of anything that needs to be done. If a problem is found they work hand in hand with back shops, such as the sheet metal shop, aerospace ground equipment and non-destructive inspection.
"We are the first to see what needs to be fixed and then figure out what the next step should be for servicing the aircraft," said Airman Tompkins. "If we can't fix it, we will find out who can."
Crew chiefs work one of three shifts; day shift, swing shift and night shift--also called mids, said Staff Sgt. Joseph Nickerson, assigned to the 192nd Fighter Wing but works with the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit.
During day shift crew chiefs may assist breaking down engines and doing overall maintenance of the aircraft, said Airman Tompkins. But the main mission is to do on the spot correction, such as changing tires, refueling or replacing missing screws when not launching or recovering aircraft.
"Missing or loose screws don't sound like much but are vital," said Airman Tompkins. "No screws can be missing or loose in front of the intake."
A screw pulled into the intake can destroy the engine of an aircraft. The compressor alone is moving at more than 12,000 revolutions per minute. That one screw can destroy the fan blades in the intake causing debris and putting the pilot's life in danger, he said.
During swing shift the crew chiefs do the heavy maintenance that day shift wasn't able to finish, said Sergeant Nickerson.
This could include swapping the radome--the point that people see on the aircraft that houses and protects the radar.
The night shift crew chiefs ensure the work has been completed on the aircraft by other shifts, said Airman Tompkins.
If pilots are on a night schedule, mids may be the ones launching and recovering aircraft.
"It doesn't really matter what shift someone is working, they have to know how to do everything," said Airman Tompkins.
To be able to do their job a crew chief must complete five career development courses. The course contains information on the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-117 Nighthawk and the F-22 Raptor.
"We are not considered dedicated crew chiefs until after we finish our CDCs and have taken the dedicated crew chief course," said Airman Tompkins. "To be a dedicated crew chief you must know every inch of your aircraft."
A crew chief is responsible for someone's life, he said. They must understand the burden of that responsibility.
"It's an honor to be a crew chief. It's not something a lot of people have done," said Airman Tompkins. "Looking back at it, it's something I am glad I did. How many 19 year-olds get to work on a $40-plus million aircraft?"