Crew Chiefs keep mission going during Max Thunder

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Battles
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
GWANGJU AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Pilots are responsible for engaging the enemy during times of war, but the crew chiefs ensure their planes are ready for the fight.

Crew chiefs are responsible for the safety of the pilot and aircraft by ensuring the airworthiness of the jets.

"Our job is to ensure our jets get into the air no matter what," said Airman 1st Class Kyle Baglia, 36th Aircraft Maintenance Unit F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief.

During an exercise, such as Max Thunder 12-1, crew chiefs launch approximately 10 to 20 aircraft throughout the two-week period, not to mention working 10 - 12 hour.

For Max Thunder 12-1, six crew chiefs were sent to Gwangju Air Base to maintain Osan's aircraft.

Typically, crew chiefs are assigned to a specific aircraft when participating in an exercise but they have the capability to work on any aircraft in the Air Force's arsenal, he said.

When preparing an aircraft for flight, they ensure proper fluid levels, provide maintenance, check the aircraft for serviceability, update preflight forms for their aircraft as well as make any changes that a pilot needs before their flight.

Crew chiefs also adhere to strict technical operation guidelines for all aspects of their aircraft due to their vast amount of responsibility.

"Knowing I'm the one out here working on a multimillion dollar aircraft is a lot of responsibility," four month Osan Air Base crew chief said. "But I wouldn't want any other job."

Throughout exercise Max Thunder, crew chiefs from the U.S. and ROK air forces were responsible for multiple aircraft such as A-10C Thunderbolt II's, F-16s, KF-16s Fighting Falcons, F-15K Slam Eagles, F-4E Phantom II's, C-130 Hercules, CN-235s and HH-60 Pave Hawks.

"With these experienced crew chiefs working on these aircraft, we will always have serviceable machines to take to the fight," said Master Sgt. William Harper, Max Thunder flight line production supervisor. Harper is assigned to the 51st Aircraft Maintenance Unit.

Max Thunder is a joint two-week exercise, which permitted the U.S. and ROK air forces to work through a variety of exercise scenarios that simulate combined operations against a hostile force.

Throughout the exercise, Airmen proved their ability to generate day and night flight sorties, conduct joint combat search and rescue operations, accept follow-on forces, conduct wartime operations, and successfully complete combat air drops.