Dedicated Published March 23, 2016 By Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Professional boxers have trainers, race car drivers have a pit crew, and pilots have crew chiefs. Each one will tell you that they didn't rise to their relative positions overnight but that it took hard work, a commitment to excellence and a dedication to be the very best in their respective craft. Recently, 33 Liberty Wing aircraft maintenance experts were inducted as the wings newest crop of dedicated crew chiefs, during a ceremony March 18, 2016. The event serves as a milestone for these professionals, as they are each assigned a pilot and an F-15E Strike Eagle with their name on the canopy, which will be their personal responsibility for the rest of their tour. Friends and co-workers gathered to watch as their colleagues affirm the crew chief oath followed by receiving coins, certificates and warm acknowledgments from Lt. Col. Joseph Deporter, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. "It is the dedicated crew chief who is the cornerstone in providing safe and reliable combat capability day-in and day-out," Deporter said. Strike Eagle pilots presented each of their dedicated crew chiefs with a set of custom coveralls, emblazoned with their name and a patch that read "Eagle Keeper" on the chest. Those attending also received a special visit from Ross Perot Jr., Air Force veteran, who attended the ceremony and was invited to congratulate the new crew chiefs. "Thank you for inviting me to attend today," Perot said. "I've been a pilot for over 35 years, and without a great maintenance team, none of us would get off the ground." As the ceremony ended, crew chiefs and guests returned to the mission feeling rejuvenated by comradery and dedicated to ensuring that the fighter aircraft of the Liberty Wing remain Forward, Ready, Now.