Crew chiefs keep jets flying

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La., July 9, 2010 — With tools in hand and grease under their fingernails, Senior Airman Bradly Bowen and Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Durham step out into the early morning, hazy sunlight and head toward their "office." With the temperature steadily rising into the 90's and the humidity causing beads of sweat to pour down their faces, these two dedicated crew chiefs confidently strut toward one of the oldest aircraft in the Air Force fleet--the B-52H Stratofortress--to begin their workday.

A crew chief, formally known as a tactical aircraft maintainer, is responsible for ensuring all maintenance on the aircraft is accomplished, as well as maintaining support equipment and forms and records. The job of a crew chief is of the utmost importance and is vitally critical to the operational mission of the wing and in supporting overseas contingency operations.

"I would say my favorite part of the job is the instant gratification we get when we finally see the jet take off and break ground after all the maintenance hours and manpower we put into it," said Airman Bowen, 20th Bomb Squadron, crew chief. "What we do is important because we provide mission-capable jets with long-range capability that is essential in providing a continuous bomber presence throughout the globe."

The job of a crew chief is extensive and covers a wide variety of maintenance issues.

"My job entails everyday maintenance on B-52H aircraft," said Sergeant Durham, 96th Bomb Squadron, crew chief. "We perform pre-flights, recoveries, end-of-runway inspections, phase inspections and troubleshoot aircraft structures, systems and components."

In 2009, Barksdale crew chiefs participated in 44 exercises and two inspections. During this time, the crew chiefs were working around the clock, sometimes 19 hours at a time, to ensure operational readiness for the entire bomber fleet at Barksdale. They were out on the flight line keeping the mission going when temperatures dropped below freezing and when the scorching sun caused the temperatures to rise well above 100 degrees. Despite the long hours and inclement weather conditions, these crew chiefs say their job gives them a sense of satisfaction.

"I think our job is very rewarding," said Sergeant Durham. "I like being able to come out and work with the great people we get to work with everyday from different backgrounds and places around the world.'

"I think it's neat to see an aircraft this old still in the fleet and flying the capabilities it has today. I think it's very important to our nation's well-being," he continued.

One way for the crew chiefs to be recognized for their hard work is the dedicated crew chief program. This program recognizes top performers in their career field and appoints ownership of an aircraft to the most proficient, reliable maintainers. Sergeant Durham has earned the title of dedicated crew chief and Airman Bowen holds the title of assistant dedicated crew chief. Also, last year Airman Bowen was recognized further for his hard work, selfless service and tireless dedication to the 2d Bomb Wing mission.

"In 2009, I won the Thomas N. Barnes crew chief of the year award," he said. "It was pretty significant to me to receive such an honor for just doing my job."

The Thomas N. Barnes award is named for Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Thomas N. Barnes who was the adviser to the Secretaries of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force on matters of welfare and enlisted progression. Airman Bowen won the award at the base level, making him the most outstanding crew chief of the year for Barksdale.

Ensuring the operational capability of a massive aircraft, such as the B-52H Stratofortress, requires dedication, knowledge and a superior work ethic. The lives of the crew are in the hands of the maintainers every time they pull chocks.