THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE INDIVIDUALS OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WHO LABOR ENDLESSLY UNDER ALL CONDITIONS TO INSURE THE AIRCRAFT ARE SAFE AND READY FOR FLIGHT BOTH IN PEACE TIME AND DURING TIMES OF ARMED CONFLICT

“HATS OFF TO THE MAINTENANCE GUYS”

There are some very special individuals who arrive at work early and depart late in the evening, often times not leaving until their aircraft is flight ready.

These individuals are the “maintenance” folks that are dedicated to providing a safe aircraft for the flight crew.  This cadre of people consists of a group of maintainers that provide outstanding support to the crew chief. 

The maintenance folks arrive at their respective duty station many hours before the aircraft is scheduled to fly.  Preparing the aircraft for flight often times happens under less than favorable conditions, such as darkness, weather, etc.

It is the maintenance folks that "fix" the aircraft and give it to the flight crew to "break". In a combat environment it is highly likely for aircraft to return with more than just maintenance problems.

Long after the flight crew has departed these dedicated individuals are busy readying the next day’s flyers.  There are times when the flight crew returns the next day and find the maintenance folks still working.

The plight of the maintenance person is often a thankless job.  However this fine group of folks are dedicated to their work and realize the single most important thing is to provide a safe and reliable aircraft.

When maintenance informs operations a bird is ready for flight it is ready for flight and down to the last man the maintenance guy will willingly get on the aircraft and fly with the flight crew.

Traditionally the maintenance crews have an excellent relationship with the flight crew. When the flight crew is preparing for a flight, it is the maintenance person who is there to provide any assistance or answer any questions the flight crew has about the aircraft.

These guys deserve as much credit for mission accomplishments as anyone and often accomplish their job without the recognition they deserve.

REMEMBER THE FORGOTTEN MECHANIC

Through the history of world aviation, many names have come to fore,

Great deeds of the past in our history will last, as they're joined by more.

When men first started his labor in his quest to conquer the sky,

He was designer, mechanic, and pilot; and he built a machine that could fly.

But somehow the order got twisted, and then in the public's eye,

The only man that could be seen was the man who knew how to fly.

The pilot was everyone's hero, he was brave, he was bold, he was grand,

And he stood by his battered old biplane with his goggles and helmet in hand.

To be sure, these pilots have earned it - to fly you have to have guts.

And they have blazed their names in the hall of fame on wings with bailing wire struts.

But for each of these flying heros, there are thousands of little renown.

And these are the men who worked on the planes, but kept their feet on the ground.

We all know the name Lindberg, and we have read of his flight into fame.

But think, if you can of his maintenance man - Can you remember his name?

And think of our wartime heros, Young, Zender and Scott!

Can you tell me the names of their crew chiefs? A thousand to one you cannot!

Now pilots are highly trained people and wings are not easily won;

But without the work of the maintenance man, our pilot would march with a gun.

So when you see the mighty Jolly Green Giants as they work their way thru the air,

The grease stained man with a wrench in his hand is the man who put him there.

-Anonymous

PROVIDED BY JOE BALLINGER

NOTE: THIS APPLIES TO ALL CREW CHIEF TYPES, NOT JUST THE JOLLY GREENS

"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~

"HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

~NEVER FORGOTTEN~