DCC Program gives Airmen pride, ownership

Senior Airman John Call, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, installs a cotter pin for a snubber assembly, a device used to suppress or connect a driving conveyor assembly to a driven conveyor assembly July 25, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The Dedicated Crew Chief Program gives Airmen, like Call, the opportunity to be more hands-on with the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jesenia Landaverde)

DCC Program gives Airmen pride, ownership

Senior Airman John Call, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, inspects the wing leading edge of a KC-135 Stratotanker July 26, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. Dedicated crew chiefs are assigned priorities throughout the entire duration of all maintenance to meet the flying and maintenance schedules. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jesenia Landaverde)

DCC Program gives Airmen pride, ownership

Senior Airman John Call, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, services a centering cylinder July 26, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. Call is a part of the Dedicated Crew Chief Program, which directly assigns maintenance personnel to a single aircraft to provide accuracy of aircraft forms, status, maintenance and appearance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jesenia Landaverde)

DCC Program gives Airmen pride, ownership

Published Aug. 8, 2017
By Senior Airman Janelle Patiño
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- There are car owners that find satisfaction in keeping their ride flawlessly maintained and pristine looking, so too do the Airmen from the 92nd and 141st Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons who take satisfaction in the care and appearance of their designated KC-135 Stratotanker.

Leaders from the 92nd and 141st AMXSs implemented the Designated Crew Chief Program early this year, an initiative to directly assign maintenance personnel to each aircraft in order to provide continuity and accuracy of aircraft documentation, status, maintenance schedules and improve overall aircraft appearance.

“This program helps improve the health of the fleet, the condition of aircraft, planning and the utilization of manpower,” said Master Sgt. Lance Gaddis, 141st AMXS A-flight flight chief. “Having designated aircraft gives Airmen a sense of pride. It helps with planning ahead and knowing what to do with their specific aircraft in case something goes wrong.”

Airmen assigned a designated aircraft become more familiar on the specifics of that aircraft and how it works. It stays prevalent in their mind so they know what needs to be done and how it should be taken care of," said 1st Lt. James Ingary, 141st AMXS aircraft maintenance officer. “It's a great program where you can get more appreciation towards the aircraft because it makes you feel like they’re your own.”

Working on the same aircraft everyday also helps prevent discrepancies, Ingary added.

The operations tempo of the base can make it harder for AMXS leadership to keep Airmen working on the same aircraft, but supervisors know their Airmen remain flexible to help complete the mission.

“Airmen and aircraft are always gone on deployments or temporary duty assignments; it makes it harder for us to maintain the consistency part of it,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Potts, 92nd AMXS assistant superintendent. “However, AMXS Airmen are flexible and trained to work on any aircraft no matter the time or place.”