493rd EFS crew chief works with pride in Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Julie Briden-Garcia
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The Jet Fuel Starter begins to whine, accelerating, as it cranks up engine number one. Its high-pitched scream peaks as the Pratt & Whitney turbofan engine finally turns over. The JFS screams again, demanding action on engine number two -- an engine capable of pushing 23,450 pounds of thrust at the pilot's request. Now, with engines at full power, the crew chief goes to work.

Airman Brian Carter, a 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron crew chief deployed from RAF Lakenheath, England, is 20 years old and responsible for a $35 million aircraft. He ensures his jet has a safe takeoff and successful mission. Airman Carter has now worked seven months with F-15s; he's only been in the Air Force for 12 months, yet his words carry true pride.

"The best part of my job is actually watching my jet take off. The pilot may fly it but the jet is nothing without the hard working lower man ... and I have fun when I marshal them out -- that's my favorite part," said Airman Carter.

The F-15C Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics.

It takes years of continuous hands-on training for crew chiefs to learn about the F-15 inside and out. This airframe is more than 30 years old, older than Airman Carter. To keep them flying safely, Capt. Greg Douglas, 493rd EFS maintenance officer deployed from RAF Lakenheath, England, says crew chiefs must know how to find potential problems.

"There are a lot of nuisances with the jet, like cracks or leaks -- it's an aging aircraft. But they learn where and how to look for them. A lot of the cracks I'd miss, but these kids are finding them every day out here," said Captain Douglas.

A crew chief's job is all about pride. Each jet has a dedicated crew chief, or DCC, and an assistant. Those individuals prep their jet and ensure the aircraft is ready to support the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's flying mission.

"They spend a lot of time out here, when everybody else goes back inside to take a break, they're still out here wiping down the jet -- that's just pride in ownership," said Captain Douglas.

Airman Carter feels the most challenging part about his job is representing his jet. He says it can be compared to a car salesman's presentation.

"That's your jet and... basically, that's you. If it doesn't come out right, then you're misrepresenting yourself. That's the best part -- making sure it's nice and keeping it clean!"

Airman Carter squints his eyes against the glaring desert sun and watches his jet taxi out to the end of the runway--both engines screaming with delight -- to fly, fight and win their next successful mission. As the F-15C Eagle takes off, the Airman high-fives the other crew chiefs as they celebrate a job well done.