|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Go
|
New
|
Find
|
Notify
|
Tools
|
Reply
|
|
"Turning diesel to smoke and delivering bullets since 1993..." |
Sorry to intrude in, but I am a former AF crew chief and was wondering where I could connect with other crew chiefs in this forum?
Thank you and drive on. |
||
|
|
Basic Training |
Hey, heavy crew chief here. Although I am going to the dark side and becoming a FE
|
|||
|
|
"Turning diesel to smoke and delivering bullets since 1993..." |
AH, so you crewed a target?
I was an Eagle Keeper. Why r u going to FE? |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
I am tire of knuckle dragging. Just want to finish my last enlistments doing something different. Plus I am stuck with a Sq. that doesn't even own planes. I am only work on planes when they break down range.
|
|||
|
|
"Turning diesel to smoke and delivering bullets since 1993..." |
I heard that.
Uh...just had a brain fart...what is FE? Im so used to Army lingo that I forgot the AF lingo |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Flight Engineer. Or "Switch Monkey"
|
|||
|
USAF Forum Moderator |
There isn't an actual Crew Chief forum per se, but this area would probably be the best bet since it's all about flying and support.
I was an F-4G "Weasel Keeper" way back. Now I'm an F-16C+ Falcon Fixer in the IN ANG. SoWW #2485 Cave ****rium! |
|||
|
Basic Training |
Hey guys, I'm a 16 crew chief for 2 more weeks then I'm starting FE class. The crew chief world isn't the same anymore, I used to love this job, now the good days are few and far between.
|
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
I'll be leaving for BMT in 29 days with guaranteed job of afsc 2A5X1 - Aerospace Maintenace aka Crew Cheif. I hope to get the KC-10 as my bird. I'm a woman too. Any advice?
|
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Get ready to have dirt under your finger nails and have a thick skin, Crew Chiefs have small vocabularies with alot of 4 letter words. Get ready to be pissed off alot when you relize you have 30X's the responsibility than than an AMN in services but make the same pay. Crew Chief for 23 years, loved what I did, alot more interesting than behind a desk or counter handing out basketballs. You work alot of weekends, constantly changing shifts, alot of deployment. You are either sweating or freezing, wet or thirsty and all on the same day. You want KC-10's, nice jet but you have to to live MacGuire AFB New Jersey or Travis AFB Calif. super high cost of living. KC-135R's if want to be a heavy Crew Chief. You just need a ladder to do your job not huge mx stands. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
I crewed mostly Phantoms(15 years),including the F-4C&G Wild Weasels. I retired as a Production Superintendent(45299) after the combining of my old AFSC(43191)with the engine and hydraulic career fields. I've been out since 1990. How much have maintenance AFSC's changed over the past seventeen years? I'd be interested in knowing.-Norm
|
|||
|
|
USAF Forum Moderator |
Hi Norm
I originally got out of AD in 90 as a 43151...working F-4E/Gs in Phase, and then my own F-4G on the line. They were just starting "Rivet Workforce" around the time I got out and went into the ANG. Today's AFSC (mine is 2A353 (almost a 7 again after being out for 11 years)) still deals with engines and Hyd a little, but for instance the 7 level CDCs give you a general knowledge of engines and hydraulics but we still have back shops who deal mostly with them. One thing that has changed...the 7 level CDCs for fighters isn't only one aircraft specific. Along with the F-16 in my case, we also have to learn a little about F-15s, A-10s, F-117s, U-2s, and Predators. Even though we have a hydraulic shop, in the past year on my 16 I've changed a hydraulic reservoir, 2 brake control valves, and 2 JFS accumulators. Not exactly sure what our Hyd shop does other than rebuilding brakes and running the hangar mule for leak checks...heh. Maybe it's because I have my A&P and worked for an airline for 4 years before coming back in...they know I know how to do a lot more stuff and rather than waiting I just jump in and do it.  Were you at George AFB Norm? I was there from 86-90 in the 561TFW. SoWW #2485 Cave ****rium! |
|||
|
|
USAF Forum Moderator |
Here's me with my F-16C (84-1394) set up for a base event yesterday.
 SoWW #2485 Cave ****rium! |
|||
|
Basic Training |
Generally, Hydro doesnt work flightline on fighters. For what reason I don't know. Also, if the Crew Chiefs get thier own forum I think the Specialists are entitled to one too.  |
|||
|
"Living The Dream" |
Heavy CC for 24 Years (started on B-52’s. The Buff has been making friends for over 47 years). All those long hours in the Rain, Heat, Dark (ah those were the dayz) and the same guy/gal at the same rank is working in a nice office and off to the club at 4:30 every day. And they have off on the weekends too. But not to worry. Being a CC was the best decision I every made. It will for certain set you up in the Aviation Maintenance World when you get out. Case in point: Military MX is Specialized. Meaning they have CC (Jack of all Trades) and then there are Hydraulics, Electricians Jet Mech and Avionics troops. You get my point. It’s YOUR aircraft. Don’t let anyone tell you different. You loan it to Aircrews and they better not bring it back all shot up. When the time came for me to head down to my local FAA to see about getting an A&P it was easy. All those Specialist and Systems I had worked on. My training record reflected this. Plus working for the #1 Short Haul Airline in the world I can tell you we will look at Heavy CC real close. We have a lot of them working here. Enjoy your time as a CC. They can run, but they will just die Tired." |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
I'm a c-130 crew chief, (female) and I have been in for 17 years. I am the first and only female DCC my base has had. There are a lot more females in maintenance now than when I joined 17 years ago, so I think it has improved quite a bit, but it can still be challenging at times especially for new airman. At the same time all the extra challenges helped me to grow more as a person too, and for that I think the rewards were greater, for me. Carry your own weight. Carry another airman's too. Never give up Give 300% Go till you can't go no more, and then keep going You better go home looking like you traded maybeline for moly-b, if your afraid to get dirty the guys won't respect you. It's ok to be a girly girl off duty, as long as all you are is an aircraft mechanic on duty. If a guy can do it by himself you better figure a way to do it yourself to. I'm not saying you have to do everthing thier way. Like a guy will change a generator by himself and hell just lift it with his arms and put it in place. I'm a small girl and i'd have a real hard time doing that, but if i rest it on my shoulder and kneel i am at the right height to slide it into place. I am one of the females who has "made it" in acft maintenance, I have earned the respect of my supervisors and peers and i have had a very rewarding life. If you have any questions feel free to pm me. best of luck! |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Weasel Keeper: I was indeed at George the same time as you,having moved there from RAF Upper Heyford,UK in 1989. I believe I was in the 561st. I retired in January,1990. Thank you for your very informative reply-Norm
|
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
loud and proud KC-135 crewchief, cant beat crewin, i agree its hard work sometimes and the long hours will catch up with you but theres alot of satisfaction when you watch the bird you been bustin on for the past 8 hours take off, lets you know ya done something, but like some one said in an earlier post, you gotta have thick skin and cant be affraid of gettin dirty, just the nature of the job.. i love it and glad i didnt pick any other job!
|
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Have been retired for 21 years now, but was a Crew chief on fighters for about 10 years,A,& OA-37,F-102, F-106, F-4C,D,&E A-7D, and A-10. Also had the other half of my career on trainers, T-37s. Was assigned to a lot of outfits, and was on many different bases. Still get a thril watching, and being around all types of fighter aircraft.
|
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
i ship out 18Dec07 as a 2A3X3. i'm looking forward to it. my dad was a C141 and C17 crew chief, so i won't be working with the same planes he did, but he still loves me anyway
 later |
|||
|
Member |
15 Yr crusty old CC/TSgt here. Crewed B-1s 6 yrs, and Buffs 9. Worked mostly phase, but I've crewed, expedited, and did the QA thing for 3 yrs too.
Now, I'm a UTM. boring as hell... but easier on my old broken back. |
|||
|
|
"Turning diesel to smoke and delivering bullets since 1993..." |
This was one of my Eagles back when I was in Germany in 91.
 |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
|
