“I provide a lot of training, but a lot of what I share with trainees is my experience or the things I’ve been through. For the most part, I tell them to always try to keep a positive attitude as best as you can. Always listen and communicate. Communication is the key to everything.
I’m going on 19 years as a crew chief. I started out working on the F-16, and now I’m on the F-22. Back then, I had no idea what it was but ‘tactical aircraft maintenance’ sounded cool. I just knew I’d get to work on aircraft. Once I got into it, I realized this was a rough job. I’m in the elements; if it’s raining, I’m in the rain, and if it’s cold, I’m in the cold. But the camaraderie you have with the people around you -- you’re all in it together, good and bad. You grow some really strong bonds, some really strong friendships.
It’s a very crucial job. We put jets in the air, and we’re responsible for inspecting them before they take off and when they get back. I always stress the importance of the job to [new Airmen] because it could be a loss of aircraft or a pilot if we’re not 100 percent on our game. I always tell them they should never be afraid to ask questions and never be afraid to stop and say, ‘I’m not comfortable with this.’ If I need to go over something 100 times, I will.
It’s also a very dangerous job. There are a lot of things we do every day that could potentially be harmful. But I always make sure to properly brief trainees before we go in to do something, and I’m right there beside them making sure they’ll be okay when they do it.
People are the biggest asset we have. Without people, there is no mission.” --Tech. Sgt. William Marioth, 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-22 crew chief