302nd AW crew chiefs get 'dedicated' to Hercs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  As part of aircraft maintenance requirements and tradition, C-130 Hercules crew chiefs from the 302nd Maintenance Group were officially assigned to their aircraft Aug. 8 during a ceremony inside one of the group's maintenance hangars here.

The re-dedication of the 24 crew chiefs, both Air Force Reserve and active-duty members alike, is expected to provide continuity and accuracy in the detailed maintenance performed on the 302nd Airlift Wing's assigned C-130 fleet. The re-dedication will also help to streamline processes as well as keep the outstanding overall appearance of the 12 aircraft here.

"The objective of the dedicated crew chief program is to directly assign a maintenance crew chief to each aircraft. These Airmen and non-commissioned officers are the first-level supervisors on the flightline who manage and supervise all maintenance on their aircraft," said Col. James Van Housen, 302nd MXG commander. "We honor our dedicated crew chiefs by placing their names on their assigned aircraft."

Each aircraft is assigned two, dedicated crew chiefs, which includes both an Air Reserve Technician and their active-duty counterpart. The C-130's crew chiefs were selected based on their technical knowledge, management skills, leadership ability and initiative. Capt. Collin "Bo" Shelton, 302nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander and one of the dedicated crew chief selectors said having crew chiefs, both Reserve and active-duty alike, is a morale booster for the unit.

"Being named a dedicated crew chief gives them a sense of pride," the captain said. "Their planes are now their babies. Being dedicated to a plane and wearing its tail number on their nametag is like a badge of courage."

Active duty crew chiefs from the associated 52nd Airlift Squadron "Combat 'Roos" make up half of the crew chiefs dedicated to the aircraft. Staff Sgt. Tommy Yau, one of those active duty Airmen, was dedicated to an aircraft for the first time in his career.

"I just came here from Little Rock [Air Force Base, Ark.]," Sergeant Yau said. "It's all new to me, and I'm proud to have my own plane. It's an initiative for me to do more - to take care of it. We take care of the plane. We care about safety. We're here to support the mission."

Master Sgt. Rob Tate, one of the dedicated ART crew chiefs, pointed out that being a dedicated crew chief was a way for him to express pride in his job.

"The weekends, extra shifts, and long hours are all part of the job to make these planes safe," he said. "It's what we do."

Sergeant Tate then pointed out how serious he takes "feedback" to the aircraft he maintains.

"We take insults to the plane personally."

Names of dedicated crew chiefs
Master Sgt. Matt Chenoweth - 302nd AMXS
Master Sgt. William Dial - 302nd AMXS
Master Sgt. Larry Hair - 302nd AMXS
Master Sgt. Ed Owen - 302nd AMXS
Master Sgt. Rob Tate - 302nd AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Kennon Colvin - 52nd AS
Tech. Sgt. Vic Cowan - 302nd AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Jimmy Felts - 302nd AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Pat Granger - 302nd AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Zachary Jankovsky - 302nd AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Manny Ortega - 302nd AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Eric Senzek - 302nd AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Dave Stevens - 302nd AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Tye Taylor - 302nd AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Kyle Zimmerman - 52nd AS
Staff Sgt. David Foland - 52nd AS
Staff Sgt. Anthony Jordan - 52 AS
Staff Sgt. Ben Mainwaring - 52nd AS
Staff Sgt. James Mitchell, Jr. - 52nd AS
Staff Sgt. Richard Murdock - 52nd AS
Staff Sgt. Daniel Osorio - 52nd AS
Staff Sgt. Gregg Rusmanis - 52nd AS
Staff Sgt. Tommy Yau - 52nd AS