374th Aircraft Maintainence Squadron appoints 28 dedicated crew chiefs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Twenty-eight aircraft maintainers raised their right hand and agreed to abide by the Dedicated Crew Chief Charter during an appointment ceremony here July 13, making them official dedicated crew chiefs on Yokota C-130H Hercules.

The dedicated crew chiefs, all from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, are now responsible for the maintenance on their respective aircraft.

The tradition began in 1978 when Gen. William Creech began the Dedicated Crew Chief Program in Tactical Air Command. At that time, aircraft maintenance was impersonal, and mission readiness was at an all time low.

General Creech stated, "Nobody washes a rental car," meaning, at that time, there was no ownership of an aircraft. DCC changed that.

"(DCC's) are the backbone of sortie generation. They are the most knowledgeable, professional and dedicated maintainers on the flightline," said Master Sgt. Alan Malcolm, 374th AMXS section chief.

"The Dedicated Crew Chief program is a program of pride and ownership for the C-130," said Staff Sgt. John Crabb, 374th AMXS crew chief. "It is one that gives crew chiefs a reason to take care of their C-130."

Yokota's newly-appointed dedicated crew chiefs are:

Dedicated Crew Chief:

Tech. Sgt. Michael Deiderich
Tech. Sgt. Douglas Harper
Tech. Sgt. Jerred Shorthill
Tech. Sgt. Ronald Watkins
Tech. Sgt. Michael Whitaker
Staff Sgt. Andrew Fargo
Staff Sgt. Jonathan Grady
Staff Sgt. Luke Hickman
Staff Sgt. Julie McMillan
Staff Sgt. Paul Rose
Staff Sgt. Tyson Schoenmoser
Staff Sgt. Karl Schofield
Staff Sgt. Bradley Thaler
Staff Sgt. Patrick Vantatenhove

Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief:

Staff Sgt. David Archer
Staff Sgt. Christopher Bailey
Staff Sgt. Travis Bland
Staff Sgt. John Crabb
Staff Sgt. Cesar Damiani
Staff Sgt. Zachary Morales
Staff Sgt. John Morrison
Staff Sgt. Jason Mullikin
Staff Sgt. Justin Tice
Staff Sgt. Jesse Sosa
Staff Sgt. Shaun Stallworth
Staff Sgt. Louis Wilson
Staff Sgt. Aaron Wermy
Senior Airman Joseph Beckham