Moody DCCs show pride through aircraft

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eileen Meier
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A praiseworthy mechanic's hard work can often be overlooked, causing morale to diminish in the maintainer world.

A reputable title to hold as an aviation machinist is the dedicated crew chief (DCC) and the assistant dedicated crew chief (ADCC).These are positions reserved for the most experienced mechanics and well-rounded Airmen.

Typically a DCC is a staff sergeant with their seven skill level, but some senior airmen, who are equally as qualified, can be eligible. Generally the selection is based on experience, a good display of leadership, and initiative to expand their knowledge and training.

After chosen, the DCC will then select an apprentice senior airman or equally skilled airman first class, better known as the assistant DCC (ADCC). This is the ideal position for any aviation mechanic, because they receive in-depth, on the job training, resulting in better care for the aircraft.

"The ADCC will almost always take over after the DCC makes tech. sergeant," said Staff Sgt. Danielle Murray, 723d AMXS aircraft propulsions craftsman. "Our supervision has a hand in who is picked, but usually the seven level chooses."

The DCC Program has been in existence at Moody AFB since 1997, but over a period of time had fallen between the cracks and was re-established March 24, 2006. In the last seven years, most Air Force bases have resurfaced the program in hopes it would increase aircraft mission capability.

"A DCC is one of the highest qualified crew chiefs," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Roger Brown, 723d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief and DCC. "Their responsibilities are everything that happens on the aircraft, they make sure everything is good to go on it otherwise it looks poor on them."

"The more effort you put in beforehand, the easier it is to get people back safely from overseas," said Brown. "My responsibility is all the aircraft out there, but there is one I claim as my own, and I take pride in making it the best."

The ownership added a personal element which allowed the crew chief's hard work to be credited by the performance of "their" aircraft. Competition eventually established a sense of camaraderie among the aviation units, reinforcing their relationships and initiating a sense of gratification in their work.

Both the DCC and ADCC are given a certificate during a formal ceremony where the maintenance commander swears them in. The aviation mechanic's creed is recited and their names are stenciled on the aircraft appointed to their care.

"When I was a young Airman, it was my goal to get my name on the side of the aircraft," said Brown. "It's an incentive to work harder and is a big deal to most maintainers.

"If you see someone else working on your assigned aircraft and not putting pride into what they're doing, your incentive is to fix that ... keep it looking and flying better," said Murray. "This program is all about pride."