What is being a crew chief like in the Air Force?

2020-05-23T10:56:40-04:00

I decided to do something In mechanics and chose to be a crew chief. Can anyone tell me what the average day for them is like? Or what tech school is like? I’m nervous because I heard a lot of mixed views on it. Also the plane will be a kc-135

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2020 2:01 PM

2020-05-23T14:01:18-04:00

First things first, as mentioned on your previous post, you need to first resolve you court case. If this court case began before your enlistment process, and you failed to disclose it, you will be discharged for a fraudulent enlistment.

The last this you should be worrying about is what job you want to be doing.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 23 at 2020 2:26 PM

2020-05-23T14:26:42-04:00

In short, being a crew chief is a lot of work. Your job is to keep your aircraft in mission ready condition as much as possible. Some inspections and repairs you will do yourself. Other work has to be done by specialist. You may be on flight status and fly with your aircraft. Aircrews appreciate a good crew chief. 12 hour days are not unusual.

Response by COL David Turk made May 24 at 2020 8:29 AM

2020-05-24T08:29:38-04:00

I’m not AF, but it’s my understanding that there is a high likelihood of overnights away from home (CONUS), and longer (OCONUS) depending on your aircraft and unit assignment.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2020 3:57 PM

2020-06-15T15:57:13-04:00

First off, don’t take this the wrong way but you you’re not a crew chief yet, you’re APG(Aircraft/Powerplant General). Becoming a Crew Chief shall be a goal to reach that will be earned through copious amounts of blood, sweat, lengthy work days, knowledge, and qualifications.

Tech school will start with a few week long fundamentals course where you will go over the basics of aircraft (things that can be applied to all tanker/cargo aircraft). After that you will move onto “phase two” training which will be solely focused on the 135’s and that can vary based on the aircraft. For example mine as c5/c17 is only 6 weeks long then we move along to an operational unit to go straight to hands on training. Meanwhile 130’s is roughly 4 months but they get their initial qualifications completed prior to going to an operational unit.

As far as the average day you can either be assigned to a flightline unit that will primarily be working towards generating aircraft to fly sorties by repairing daily discrepancies, inspections, servicing, and things of that nature. You can also be assigned to non-flightline units that either perform heavy maintenance like replacing landing gear or phased inspections (inspections that are performed every two years, yearly, six months and times of that nature).

In my opinion you will absolutely meet some people who have the shittiest attitudes, lazy, and never stop complaining ABOUT DOING THEIR JOB but overall the people have definitely help make the stressful times better. If/when you get to be a flying crew chief and deploy you’ll get to notice your actual impact to the big Air Force and the total mission and it’s pretty damn rewarding!

8 years as a current dual (c5&c17) qualified crew chief.