Seymour Johnson AFB: The source of F-15 airpower - Part 3

  • Published
  • By Airman Shawna L. Keyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  [Editor's note: This feature is the third  of a three-part series focusing on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's ability to train both the Airmen who fly and the Airmen who maintain the F-15, thereby sourcing the Air Force's F-15 airpower.]

"The working dynamic is very unique; nowhere in the Air Force is there a sacred bond greater than between a pilot and crew chief."

Master Sgt. Jared Carter, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron section chief, has seen countless of these bonds form between his troops and the aircrew they work with on a daily basis.

"When the aircrew arrives at the jet, a simple salute, hand shake and the crew chief's statement of 'She's good to go' is all that is needed to give a them the utmost confidence that all maintenance on the aircraft was done right by all who have touched it," Carter said. "The confidence the aircrews have in our maintainers allows them to focus on the mission and not the aircraft."

Even the mightiest of machinery is subject to fail from time to time. Much like the Titanic, which was thought to be an unsinkable ship, things can still go wrong. When that's the case with the Strike Eagles, the crew chiefs are responsible for repairing the jet as quickly as possible.

In order to maintain F-15E airpower, pilots and crew chiefs share an open dialogue on aircraft problems. Pilots discuss discrepancies and any faults are fixed by various units within the 4th Maintenance Group.

"We conduct a visual inspection of the aircraft after every flight to ensure the aircraft is still air-worthy," said Senior Airman Christopher Pantschyschak, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. "If we find discrepancies, we either fix it or coordinate with a different shop to fix the problem."

Carter added that the key to a successful relationship between flyers and ground crews is that a strong communication line be kept open. To aid in that process a maintenance liaison is appointed in each of the fighter squadrons.

Having been a prior crew chief, 1st Lt. Desmond Ross, 336th FS weapons systems officer, was selected to be one of the liaisons in his squadron. Along with keeping an open dialogue, Ross also coordinates monthly training opportunities with the crew chiefs so they can better understand the daily grind of an aircrew member. 

"We ask for the best crew chiefs on the flightline and we bring them up to the fighter squadron about once a month to go through a day-in-the-life of an aircrew member," Ross said. "We take them through a mock brief, then over to the integrated avionics trainer, where they get to fly simulated missions, and then afterward they get debriefed."

On the flip side, aircrew are also afforded the opportunity to experience life as a maintainer.

After graduating the Basic Course, the training course pilots and WSOs attend to fly in the F-15E, aircrews learn the ins-and-outs of how crew chiefs and other components from the 4th MXG come together to accomplish the mission. Immersions aside, few things bring people together like a little friendly competition. Air and ground crews gather every few months to witness the fierce battle for the title of Dedicated Crew Chief. 
 
"The pilot of the aircraft is in attendance and will coin the dedicated crew chief," Carter said. "This relationship between the DCC and pilot is very special, and having your name on the aircraft gives you a lot of pride."

The operational F-15 squadrons assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing are the culmination of crew chief's, pilot's, and WSO's dedication and months of training and familiarization with their dynamic airframe. These different professions are essential to the 4th Fighter Wing's mission to provide Dominant Strike Eagle Airpower ... Anytime, Anyplace.