South Burlington, Vermont. (July 10, 2024): Pilots may get all the glory, but they depend on one person to ensure they keep flying, their Crew Chief. In this photo by Technical Sergeant Richard Mekkri, Senior Airman Alexandra Banke, a Crew Chief with the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard, guides an F-35A Lightning II into position for takeoff. As Crew Chief, Airman Banke is responsible for ensuring her aircraft is properly maintained and ready to fly.
Each aircraft is assigned a chief who oversees all aspects of maintenance, repairs, and inspections before a pilot can take flight. They watch over technicians performing daily maintenance, replacing parts, and keeping the proper records. They also conduct inspections of the aircraft to identify malfunctions or to spot trouble before it becomes mission threatening. They travel with their aircraft to inspect and service it before flight and then reinspect, refuel, and repair the craft on landing.
Beyond these basic duties, Crew Chiefs also play a role in the event of a crash, helping with the rescue and giving emergency medical care. They typically supervise a team of five highly trained specialists while assisting in the removal of engines, transmissions, and rotor blades. They function as mentors by ensuring all safety rules are followed and that Airmen comply with Air Force security standards.
To become a Crew Chief, a candidate must complete basic training at Lackland Air Force Base followed by 46 to 109 days of advanced training depending upon the aircraft they are assigned. This is followed up by several months of on-the-job training before they are assigned their very own bird.
The estimated total pay range for an Air Force Crew Chief is between $47K–$75K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. These highly trained and experienced Chiefs are a valuable commodity on the civilian market once they leave the service.
Pilots may get all the headlines, but it is the Crew Chief that ensures they can perform their heroic duties safely and effectively.