736th AMXS launches Dedicated Crew Chief program

  • Published
  • By Roland Balik
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  For the 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, instilling pride in ownership and helping mentor first-level supervisors are key components for the squadron’s new Dedicated Crew Chief program. The new program delegates responsibility for the maintenance and cleanliness of specifically assigned C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to 20 recently inducted DCC and Assistant DCC aircraft maintainers.

In a formal induction ceremony held Nov. 16, a total of 10 DCC and 10 ADCC aircraft maintainers were formally appointed to that position and assumed responsibility of their assigned aircraft.

Other key components contributing to the program’s success are the DCC Program Manager Tech. Sgt. Adam Olson, and 736th AMXS Commander Maj. Kevin Scholz, both of whom have been DCCs during their Air Force careers.

Scholz, who enlisted in the Air Force in 1992 as an F-15 crew chief said he was exposed to this program early in his career and quickly learned how important it was to be a crew chief. “At my first base I was assigned to the ‘wing king’s’ aircraft,” he explained. “Now that I’m a maintenance commander, it is clear that it is one of the most important programs period.”

DCCs and ADCCs are accountable for the accuracy of aircraft forms, the status of the jet, scheduled maintenance, delayed discrepancies, cleanliness and appearance of their assigned aircraft.

“This program matters,” said Scholz. “Not just to me, not just to the DCCs, but to all of us. It’s in our blood, part of our storied Air Force heritage and vital to taking our squadron to the next level. We should all strive to be the best versions of ourselves. The DCC program is the best version of aircraft maintenance.”

In conjunction with the commander and to ensure the integrity and success of the program, the DCC program manager serves as the liaison between the commander, DCCs and ADCCs.

“DCCs [and] ADCCs are selected on the basis of initiative, leadership/management ability, and technical knowledge. Supervisors will nominate their member for the DCC position and must have all C-17A 2A551 Career Field Education and Training Plan core tasks completed prior to submittal,” stated Olson, C-17 airframe, powerplant general lead technician.

According to Scholz, the DCC program also functions as a mechanism to take hard-charging airmen and put them on a fast track to become a top-notch C-17 maintainer, supervisor and manager.

“Here in the 736th, they manage the best airlifter ever created, the C-17 … worth $225 million dollars in treasure,” Scholz stated to ceremony attendees. “But [it’s] worth far, far more to our combatant commanders and warriors across the globe, depending on these aircraft to deliver the food and supplies they need to survive, and the tools to they need to fly, fight, and win our nations wars.”

The program is not only restricted to aircraft maintenance personnel, or crew chiefs, but individuals in other aircraft maintenance specialties can also become DCCs or ADCCs.

“In our line of work, that ownership means a stellar aircraft, inside and out, that will represent Dover, no matter where it is. It means aggressively planning and conducting scheduled maintenance. It means a single manager for fixing delayed discrepancies … a single manager to ensure proper and accurate forms documentation, and it means a great deal of pride to those given the title … Dedicated Crew Chief,” said Scholz. “Pride-in-ownership is perhaps the most powerful force in the DCC program, and it energizes all of us … to be the best.”

Talon pride, world-wide!