Ceremony recognizes dedicated crew chiefs

Airmen from the 192nd AMXS appointed as dedicated crew chiefs

Airmen from the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are appointed as dedicated crew chiefs during a ceremony July 14, 2019, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The ceremony was held as a unique opportunity to recognize highly skilled Tactical Aircraft Maintainers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham)

Airmen from the 192nd AMXS appointed as dedicated crew chiefs

Airmen from the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are appointed as dedicated crew chiefs during a ceremony July 14, 2019, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The ceremony was held as a unique opportunity to recognize highly skilled Tactical Aircraft Maintainers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham)

Dedicated crew chief Airman standing in front of an F-22 Raptor

Staff Sgt. Westley Mohnach stands in front of his assigned F-22 Raptor July 27, 2018, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. As a dedicated crew chief, he is responsible for ensuring the entire aircraft is mission capable and safe to fly. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bryan Myhr)

Airmen from the 192nd AMXS appointed as dedicated crew chiefs

Airmen from the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are appointed as dedicated crew chiefs during a ceremony July 14, 2019, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The ceremony was held as a unique opportunity to recognize highly skilled Tactical Aircraft Maintainers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham)

Airmen from the 192nd AMXS appointed as dedicated crew chiefs

Airmen from the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are appointed as dedicated crew chiefs during a ceremony July 14, 2019, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The ceremony was held as a unique opportunity to recognize highly skilled Tactical Aircraft Maintainers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham)

Airmen from the 192nd AMXS appointed as dedicated crew chiefs

Airmen from the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are appointed as dedicated crew chiefs during a ceremony July 14, 2019, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The ceremony was held as a unique opportunity to recognize highly skilled Tactical Aircraft Maintainers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham)

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. --

F-22 Raptor wheel
F-22 Raptor Lady Luck displays customizations at a Proud Phoenix competition July 27, 2018, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Dedicated crew chiefs make limited customizations to their assigned aircraft to show their pride and attention to detail. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bryan Myhr)
F-22 Raptor wheel
Proud Phoenix competition
F-22 Raptor Lady Luck displays customizations at a Proud Phoenix competition July 27, 2018, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Dedicated crew chiefs make limited customizations to their assigned aircraft to show their pride and attention to detail. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bryan Myhr)
Photo By: Senior Airman Bryan Myhr
VIRIN: 180727-Z-MQ826-180
Eleven Airmen from the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron were appointed as dedicated crew chiefs during a ceremony July 14, 2019, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The DCC ceremony is a unique opportunity to recognize highly skilled tactical aircraft maintainers.

“Everybody remembers famous pilots such as Chuck Yeager, Billy Mitchell, George E. Preddy and Emilia Airheart, but do you know who crewed their aircraft?” asked Tech. Sgt. Luke Dobbs, 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron tactical aircraft maintenance specialist.

For more than 100 years, crew chiefs have played an integral part of the advancement of aviation. Pilots depend on them to know every component of their aircraft and supervise maintenance tasks across multiple specialties to ensure the aircraft is safe and fully mission capable.

“We put a lot of pressure on crew chiefs on a daily, probably more like an hourly, basis all day long,” said Col. Catherine Jumper, 192nd Maintenance Group commander. “This is our opportunity to say thanks.”

Pilots and leaders from around the wing gathered to congratulate the Airmen with certificates and customized coveralls emblazoned with patches as well as the name and tail number of their assigned F-22 Raptor.

DCC is not an Air Force specialty, rather, it is a title reserved for those who prove themselves capable to consistently deliver safe, combat ready aircraft.

“For these dedicated crew chiefs, there is no greater satisfaction or reward than seeing their aircraft taxi out, take off and return safely to base,” said Dobbs.

Part of that satisfaction may also be seeing their name on the most advanced air superiority platform in the world, right next to the pilot’s name. These crew chiefs also get to show their pride for their aircraft by making customizations to the jet.

“I personally believe that 192nd maintainers are the best in the business, and that shows when the production supervisors select aircraft for deployments,” said Jumper. “Your aircraft are supporting operations and exercises around the world, and that is a testament to all the hard work you put into making your aircraft reliable, warfighting machines.”
 

192d Fighter Wing

 

photo of wing commander
Commander
Col. Mark Piper

 

Photo of vice wing commander
Vice Commander
Col. Catherine M. Jumper

 

Photo of Wing command chief
Command Chief
Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Amburn