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"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. |
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New Member |
Hey, heavy crew chief here. Although I am going to the dark side and becoming a FE
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"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? |
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New Member |
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.
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"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 |
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New Member |
Flight Engineer. Or "Switch Monkey"
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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! |
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New Member |
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.
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New Member |
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?
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New Member |
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. |
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New Member |
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
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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! |
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USAF Forum Moderator |
Here's me with my F-16C (84-1394) set up for a base event yesterday.
 SoWW #2485 Cave ****rium! |
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New Member |
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.  |
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"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. A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' |
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New Member |
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! |
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New Member |
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
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New Member |
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!
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New Member |
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.
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New Member |
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 |
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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. |
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"Turning diesel to smoke and delivering bullets since 1993..." |
This was one of my Eagles back when I was in Germany in 91.
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New Member |
Just remember if you talk the talk you walk the walk. Crew Chiefing is probably the most demanding job in the USAF outside of Special Ops. Plus don't be one of these, a gas station attendent, I hated having them around, if your on the flightline and a specialist is working your jet, help them and be like a sponge and asorb any info they can give you, it will pay off in spades when you are deployed, able to be able to troubleshoot compently is one of the hardest things to learn and teach. If you become competent in all aspects of your airframe it makes you stand out ,also taken advantage of.Be a asett not a liability, you can train a monkey to pump gas and check the oil. |
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New Member |
Also how many duty titles in the military and civilian life has the word "Dedicated" Crew Chief in their duty title.
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New Member |
Crew Chief forums have been tried before, with little luck. Seems they have to wait for a specialist to type for them.
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Member |
Actually, it's because most of them don't have time to come in here and goof off on military.com. They're too busy out on the flightline busting their @ss or being micro-managed by some a$$hole of an expeditor...
I know, I used to be one. |
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New Member |
That's one clean lawn dart! I myself am a former Eagle Keeper. I loved being a maintainer. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with some of the hardest working airmen (and airwomen) in the Air Force. My hats off to the wrench turners, both on the line and off. |
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New Member |
Hello, sounds good to Me, the Crew Chief has allways been a different Breed of Cat, I've saw the (too lazy to work and too proud to be a bum) type really transform into very hard working self motivated individuals. The A. F. Crew Chief career field offers many Challenges and Rewards and, I am proud to have served, keep up the good work. wcarter41
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New Member |
you have that confused with pilots... They're too lazy to work and too nervous to steal!
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USAF Forum Moderator |
I haven't expedited, but TWOOP! SoWW #2485 Cave ****rium! |
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"Living The Dream" |
OUCH! Just need a #2 pencil. That's all. Now, let me show you how to open that cowling....Did I say that OUTLOUD? I like specilist. They taught me how to play cards.  A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' |
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"Living The Dream" |
You were on the Rock in 85/86? Was there 86-90. BUFF's A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' |
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New Member |
we could start 1. i crewed F-111D, RF-4C, OV-10A & F-15A. worked flightline, phase, AR&R & job control.
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New Member |
I think it would be a good idea to "test drive" a new crew cheif forum and see how it goes. If it turns out bad or not any posts, Delete it.
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"Living The Dream" |
Uh......I can Goof Off LOL |
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Member |
I'm an old CC, I've crewed some slow movers to fast runners. Small loads to the big boys. The small ones were the O-1 &O-2s the fast ones were F-4's F-16's And the F-111's. hauler's C123's C-130's C-124's C141's C-5's & the RC & EC-121's.
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New Member |
I was there for 13 glorious months. Worked in the FMS Engine Shop from Feb 85 to Mar 86. |
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Member |
I retired in 1995. I spent 24 years in the Jet Engine Technician career field.
While I was in West Germany I became a Full crew-chief also. As a jet engine technician, when I had no engine work I bumbed around the flight line and would help some of crew chiefs out. We sorta developed a small group of troops that helped eachother out and learned from eachother. The senior NCO's and Maintenance Officer quickly too notice of us. There came a time when they wanted a very knowledgable maintenance person to fly in the aft co-pilots seat on Functional Check Flights (FCF's). So guess who was chosen? I flew on the average of 3 times a month and always took my pocket camara. Got plenty of great photo's of pictures of Europe from the air. I also was picked to go on lots of deployments to neet places do to my knowledge of other aircraft systems and tasks not only the engines. The quote below is the best thing I have read in this thread. Specialist should also do thier best to learn crew chiefing tasks also. It will make you stand out amoung all the other specialists.
 USAF_Retired183x177.jpg (11 KB, 61 downloads) |
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New Member |
I was a crew cheif on c-130E flying in veitnam in 67 and 68 i made staff sargent in two years and eleven months and spend two years over seas out of four.Would have stayed in but got orders to go to veitnam again a month before i got out. If you want to fly go to the 130's.
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Member |
Crew Chief can read and write...who knew??? Seriously...is there anything HOTTER than a babe who can work as hard as a man and at the end of the day still be a "Girly Girl" too? I think not! |
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