WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The position of dedicated crew chief is something that is earned over the course of several years. On May 18, 2018, with their friends, family and fellow Airmen applauding in the audience, 19 noncommissioned officers saw their hard work pay off and were named the newest dedicated crew chiefs at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
“They are the last ones to touch the aircraft before it takes off and the first ones to touch it when it lands,” said Tech Sgt. Thomas Dunlap, the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron airframe power plant general section NCO in charge.
The ceremony is a formal recognition of their responsibility for the aircraft they maintain but also signifies that they are leaders on the airfield.
There is an extensive list of qualifications one must hold to become a DCC. So for many this is seen as the pinnacle of the career field.
“To become a DCC you must prove your maintenance aircraft knowledge, work ethic, supervisory skills among other qualifications,” said Tech Sgt. Thomas Dunlap the 509th AMXS APG Section NCOIC. “Those certifications are normally recertified annually, or semi-annually, or quarterly. There are numerous, vigorous tests and tasks that are taken to earn these qualifications.”
Unlike most air frames, the B-2 Spirit was not created in large quantities. This makes each new DCC one of a select few who have held the title “B-2 DCC”.
“The B-2 is such a selective aircraft,” said Dunlap. “You can almost count on both hands how many have held that DCC title on each aircraft.”
Crew chiefs work in all weather conditions, weekends and holidays to ensure the B-2 is safe for flight and can complete its mission.
“Dedicated crew chiefs on the B-2 are the best of the best within the maintenance career fields,” said Dunlap. “There is a sense of pride to have your name on the aircraft letting everyone know who the head mechanic of that machine is.”
The sense of pride and accomplishment was something that was easily recognizable as each Airman received his or her coin and even more so when the group recited the DCC charge.
Walking out there to be recognized made me feel that all the hard work over the years finally paid off,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Wirth, a DCC assigned to the 509th AMXS. “It lets me know that the work we do every day doesn’t go unnoticed.