Meet your local crew chief, Tech. Sgt. Ray Gara

Published Jan. 29, 2010

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --
Name: Tech. Sgt. Ray Gara

Aircraft Assigned: F-15C

Squadron/Unit: 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 493rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit
Hometown: New Orleans, La.

Why did you join the Air Force?
For a chance to meet people from different cultures and make lifelong friends. I wanted to travel to places and see the world. And, for the sense of pride, accomplishment and self-worth.

What do you like most about being a crew chief?
Working with a great group of maintainers, sharing tears of laughter and sorrow, and as cheesy as it sounds, seeing our jets take off and land safely.

What has been your most rewarding moment as a Crew Chief?
My most rewarding moment as a crew chief was when I did a temporary duty assignment to Singapore to train their crew chiefs on how to properly maintain their newly purchased F-15s.

For the commander

Why did you nominate this person?
For his incredible dedication to his aircraft, mission and the Airmen under him. Watching him work his aircraft, you can easily see pride and devotion at work and that kind of dedication is what it takes to keep these aircraft flying safely.