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Show TEM (HO 388th Fighter Wing Monthly July 1994 A feather in their caps Preened Falcon: Pride on the line By A1C Aimee Groben Editor, Fighter Country The best-ke- jet on the flightline the "Preened Falcon." This month that title went to SSgt. Mick Shadle, a dedicated F-crew chief in the 4th Fighter Squadron, and his assistant crew chief, A 1 C Tim Betts. The Preened Falcon competition is held monthly among the three fighter squadrons. An aircraft from each squad- pt 16 "" Downey, who heads up the competition. "It also stimulates a little competition out there on the flightline, " he said. The winners of the Preened Falcon award receive a three-da- y pass, a model a and letter of airplane, congratulations from the Operations Group commander. Each aircraft is chosen at random from the flight schedule. The judges differ from month to month and always include one judge from Quality Assur ance who can inspect the aircraft's maintenance forms. One judge that crew chiefs might be on the lookout for is CMSgt. Brent Turner. "I have done this many times and I am pretty critical," he said. As judges walk a car. It gave the crew chief the chance to wash his aircraft and make it ready to go," said Downey. That procedure has now changed to a inspection. "It's good there's no warning before they come to look over the aircraft. Otherwise everybody would have a chance to get their jet all clean and fixed up. This way the competition is about whoever does the best on a said Shadle. . basis," "The real purpose of the Preened Falcon competition is to see how the crew chiefs f maintain their aircraft on a daily basis," said Downey. "We look at things the maintainers do to make the aircraft better. The airplane doesn't have to be freshly painted to get a high score, but is it clean and washed? Other small details like the ropes on the chocks, the are streamers and plugs they frayed? "Basically, does the crew chief take pride in his aircraft and replace equipment ce no-noti- day-to-d- ay IP . 1 around the aircraft they scrutinize each area SSgt. Mick Shadle covers the pilot's seat after carefully. If one of the inspectors looks at the judges finish inspecting his jet. landing gear and sees best-keselected and the ron is jet some hydraulic fuel or dirt, rest as- overall is deemed the Preened Falcon, sured, the score will reflect it. If the The winner is selected based on a com-- canopy hasn't been wiped down or the binationoffactorsmclucling the aircraft's cockpit is full ofdust the crew chief gets " overall appearance; associated equip- - "dinged." ment (pins,chocks); the dedicated crew The competition has evolved since it chiefs and assistant crew chief sknowl- began in 1982. "We used to choose edge of the aircraft's performance; and three aircraft, notify the crew chiefs on their military bearing. Monday, and inspect them on Friday. incenboth for is "The competition Well.duringtheweektheaircraftwould tive and recognition," said CMSgt. Mike sit in a hangar and get detailed just like Photos by A1C Aimee Groben pt "This is my 10th fighter wing. I love the mission and I love the people. I've wanted to be a part of the 388th Fighter Wing my whole career and I finally made it," said Brake. The colonel comes from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdalem,Air Base, Germany, where he served since 1992 as vice commander. The new vice commander earned his commission through Reserve Officer Training Corps at Grove City College, Pa. He is also a graduate of the UniWeapons Instructor Course, National Defense versity and National War College. "If it's worth doing it's His work philosophy worth doing right and to the best of your ability." f ,.r - 'J as it wears out?" said Downey. Other areas under scru- aircraft tiny are the maintenance forms. This is where Quality Assurance steps in. "We are there to make sure the aircraft forms match what is wrong with in "Don't ever be afraid to come to talk to me or bring me bad news." - Col. Michael Brake . " I fSVtrf 388th Fighter Wing vice commander and Early in his career, Brake served as an aircraft commander and instructor pilot. He also spent some time in the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, as flight commander and assistant operations officer. From there he came back to the states and served at McDill AFB, Fla. transitioning to the F-- 1 6. Some of his other jobs division of the United were commander of the F-F-4- D 16 :k f? CMSgt. Bill Steele inspects an aircraft. to war zone States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev., chief of weapons and tactics division in the fighter operations directorate, and assistant deputy commander for operations, Moody AFB, Ga. He then returned overseas to Torrejon Air Base, Spain, as vice commander to the 40 1 st Fighter Wing, before moving on to Germany. Brake said the "388th has a reputation for being number one." So, what does he expect from wing members? "Your best," he said. By A1C Aimee Groben Editor, Fighter Country cise. """" f New vice commander steps Right in the thick of it Col. Michael Brake stepped in as vice commander of the 388th Fighter Wing during Phase 1 of July's operational readiness exer- the aircraft. W also look at the currency of entries, documentation of files, and cmf 'eteness of the forms. We like to n. ne nothing is over. 1 said t. Johnny Collett, one looked," of this month's judges. The spirit of the competition was summed up by 'his month's winner, Shadle. "It she s the pride you have in your jet and your job," he said. F-4- E The new vice commander has over 3,000 hours of flying time. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters and the Combat Readiness Medal with five oak leaf clusters. His philosophy on life "I joined the Air Force, but I married my wife, and my family is forever." During his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and skiing. He and his wife, Dana, have three children, Karen, Brian and Michael. Quarterly Award Winners Announced inrNCO of the Quarter MSgt. Eugene Romero Assistant Shop Chief, AGE 729 Air Control Squadron NCQ of the Quarter . TSgt Paul Connell Training Manager 388th Maintenance Training Flight Airman of the Quarter, SrA. Steve Falconer Target Intelligence Specialist 34th Fighter Squadron |