Dedicated Crew Chief: Airpower's most important role Published Dec. 13, 2006 By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Thirty-three Airmen were recognized as Dedicated Crew Chiefs in a ceremony Friday. "The DCC is responsible for all maintenance on the aircraft he is dedicated to," said Chief Master Sgt. Wendy Jones, 49th Maintenance Group. "DCC is a job description, not an Air Force specialty. It is reserved for those who display the initiative, management and leadership ability necessary to maintain an aircraft in combat ready status. A Dedicated Crew Chief's technical knowledge is above reproach and the resource most counted upon to ensure a fighter wing's combat readiness." The purpose of the program is to provide continuity and accuracy by assigning ownership to each aicraft. The DCC's name is put onto the aircraft to show the dedication. To be a DCC, an Airman must have a minimum of six months' experience, be a staff sergeant or higher or be a waivered senior Airman, said Chief Jones. "Service as a DCC is a unique responsibility that must be met with pride, professionalism and enthusiasm by each and every individual who accepts the challenge and privilege of crewing the world's best Stealth fighter aircraft, the F-117 Nighthawk," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Deprez, 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "There is a DCC in most aircraft maintainers just waiting for the opportunity. After all, there's nothing like inspecting, fixing, servicing and then giving the aircrew that final salute while launching your aircraft for a sortie." During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. David Goldfein, 49th Fighter Wing commander, told the story of his first aircraft and DCC, the relationship a pilot and DCC should have and the importance of a DCC to an aircraft and pilot. "There is no more important role than Dedicated Crew Chief in air power," the general said. The pilot puts his trust in the DCC to have an aircraft that will bring him home safely. The following are the new Dedicated Crew Chiefs: 8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Previous crew chiefs Senior Airmen Adam Callahan 787 Adam Arenas 790 Landon Clark 802 Garvin Laurent 804 9th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Previous crew chiefs Staff Sgt. William Sanchez 808 Senior Airmen Jason Stanfield 788 Sean Moore 789 Anthony Hartfield 797 8th AMU Current crew chiefs Staff Sgts. Scott Klawitter 787 Dennis Thomas 791 Kasey Lynch 798 Ernest Evans 800 Kevin Powell 803 Eberhard Riebe 804 Timothee Debaghy 818 Damian Horton 819 Brian Haun 829 Patrick McManaman 834 David Aguirre 842 Senior Airmen Larry Roush 795 Micah Smith 816 Lance Kraftenberg 838 Ferdinand Frollani 840 9th AMU Current crew chiefs Staff Sgts. Ricky Oliver 786 Josh Ziriak 797 Moses Taylor 807 Christopher Eckhardt 808 Guadalupe Garcia 813 Jeffery Shock 821 Jamie Lee 826 Joseph Metoyer 830 Dustin Goe 833 John Roach 836