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Show AIR FORCE RESERVE Supplement to tk Hilltop Timtt HEADS UP F.b. 6, 1992 3a Top crew chiefs keep aircraft mission ready by SrA. Charles Freeman 419th TFW Public Affairs Office This is an election year for some 26 crew chiefs in the Aircraft Generation Branch. They recently got together for a vote to decide on the top crew chiefs in the 419th Consolidated Aircraft Main- tenance Squadron. When the final votes were tallied, members had selected from among their peers the branch's outstanding crew chiefs for 1991. The High Flyer of the Year award was also presented to the crew chief and his assistant who sustained the aircraft with the I I most flying hours last year. The prestigious award went to SSgt. Greg Strate and his assistant, SSgt. Brian Gilmore. Their aircraft, tail number 025, compiled a total of 273.6 flying hours. This is Strate's second recognition for the High Flyer award. He first won it while on active duty with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing several years ago. Strate emphasized the importance of staying on top and following through with every aspect of the aircraft. "If you keep it ready to fly, they're more inclined to use it," he said. CMSgt. Norm Searle, branch chief, concluded there is a tremendous amount of effort involved in obtaining such an honor. "They take a great deal of pride in their aircraft and, among other things, are actively involved with the plane's maintenance repairs. "A little luck also plays a part in keeping the up. It's unfortunate, but some crew chiefs end up with their aircraft having to undergo extensive repairs that could sometimes last for months," said . F-1- 6s A T Searle. Tr,.v.v.v. "The end result is to not only recognize the dedication of such individuals but also provide some incentive for crew chiefs and their assistants to keep the aircraft fully mission capable," he said. i ! itsy w I ' ; A'- - - ,, 3 C - U.S. Air Force Photos by SrA. Charles Freeman and Bill 1 1 I Hensley Working to keep them... crew chief Top left, TSgt. Bryant Farmer, of the year. Top right, SSgt. William A. Troesher, ht assistant crew chief of the year (tie). assistant crew ht "Right, SSgt. Craig Fowler, ht chief of the year. y f - of ..in 1 Top ' the air 4 left, TSgt. David assistant Piatt, crew chief of the year. ht Bottom left, i l of vV TSgt. Robert Klein, crew chief of the year. To the right SSgt. Greg Strate, crew chief and High Flyer of the Year; SSgt. Edward Kin-secrew chief of the year; and SSgt. Brian Gilmore, assistant crew chief High Flyer of the Year. Not pictured is SSgt. Kevin N. Lunceford, assistant crew chief of the year (tie), who was ht (l-r- f t -. ), y, ? ht ' , a J ' - - , y . 7 - It ht transferred to Luke AFB, Ariz. J.' r L- n S A j ' .'' ' - v |