How should an assault flight company of UH-60s operate its maintenance program without an E7 in charge?

Senior SGT/E5 takes charge. Other SGTs support him. The lack of a SFC does not stop birds from flying. Keep your 1SG and leadership advised of ALL problems. Bad news never gets better with age.

Our military has a history, and an expectation, that in times of a void in leadership positions being filled, either the juniors below or an individual senior to the position will step forward to fill the void. Although E-7s have traditionally made the world continue to spin, I'm sure the Company CO will either appoint someone to take charge, or take charge himself. If the vacancy continues, and no one assumes the responsibilities, advising the CO of consequences and problems of the vacancy would be appropriate. Don't go to the CO just to point out the vacancy, go with the weaknesses or oversights arising because of the vacancy.

Assault flight companies are unique. There are no E6/section sergeant slots. As othesr have said, someone has to step up. I have been PSG of a flight company and I did not “run” maintenance as a SFC. I was at PC meetings, helped execute large muscle movements and over saw the big picture maintenance. We had four squad leaders, and several high speed SPC That were being mentored. I rotated the SGTs on a monthly basis running maintenance while keeping the same highspeed SPC tied to the hip of my maintenance test pilot (who is the one responsible) for your commanders, not yours, maintenance program. Bottom line is there are more than one way to skin a cat and needs to be figured out. Someone has to come up on the net and flag this as an issue to your CoC if you haven’t already. It’s their responsibility to put the right people in the right place but if they don’t know or realize the magnitude of the problem, it will ALL come out in a mishap investigation when something happens. And believe me something will happen if people aren’t paying attention.

The most experienced, knowledgeable SGT grab their set and take charge. That's how you operate.

Regardless of having a E7, work with the OIC to establish who is filling the NCOIC role until a rank appropriate replacement arrives. There has to be somebody who was put in charge over there

Rank doesn't make the unit operate successfully. Dedicated good NCO's do. Whichever NCO steps up will get a great notation on his NCOER, and hopefully make the 7 list.

I would say identify the most qualified person and have them step up—when in charge, be in charge. With that, make sure everyone is aligned in being part of the team to make the mission happen.

Outside of that, if y'all need any assistance, I made and manage a product for Maintenance. It's free, and only requires the importation of two of ACN's reports. It'll generate phase flows automatically, depict maintenance on a four week rolling calendar that can project out one year, will recommend aircraft to hand out each day, and will forecast fleet metrics as well as expected down time.

All the info is in the first picture, but I run everything out of the Aviation Resources Community (US Army) on Facebook. Additionally, if you prefer to get it on the Green/NIRP side, I've got it up at milBook too: https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/arc

I hope that helps, and good luck!

If everyone is just a paygrade and in it for the paycheck then your up a creek. Whoever wants be a SGT and an NCO should step up and be in charge. Im sure the 1SG has put someone in charge or at least interacts with 1 person consistently. The rank of said person doesnt change how maintenance is conducted because the Army already tells is how to do maintenance very specifically. You just need someone to prioritize and track the maintenance.

Find a WO willing to assist you, the lead the way.