Crew chief writes new chapter in jet's historical legacy

by Airman 1st Class Apryl Hall
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

2/11/2014 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- From World War I to Vietnam, nose art was a common sight on many military aircraft. But as the bombers and fighters of the past were replaced with their stealthier cousins of today, nose art became less and less common. For more than half a century, the venerable B-52H Stratofortress continues that legacy today. On the flight line or aprons of Minot Air Force Base, viewers can see nose art decorating a number of jets, but one in particular wears more than simple paint--it wears its history.

When he was assigned to aircraft 0018 over two years ago, Staff Sgt. John M. Silva, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief, immediately started researching the history behind the B-52's nose art. Not only did Silva want to focus on the responsibility of how a dedicated crew chief interacts with his aircraft, but he also wanted to be able to take pride in his work, he said.

"We have to understand our past to look at our future," said Silva.

Through his research of the jet, which features the POW/MIA flag as its nose art, Silva found that throughout the B-52's history, more than 60 aircrew members have been prisoners of war or missing in action. Knowing the jet's history allows Silva to understand his part in the mission, and motivates him to do his job to the best of his abilities, he said.

"Sometimes you focus so much on training and the mission that you start thinking that you aren't doing anything," said Silva. "The fact is we have done stuff, and we have to keep going."

Not only did Silva want to make a personal connection to his jet, but he also wanted to include his fellow maintenance crewmembers and the aircrew as well.

"It helps out the pilots to know the history," said Silva. "You want to be able to take pride in your aircraft."

One of the jet's pilot, Capt. Joe Cangealose, of the 69th Bomb Squadron, wholeheartedly agrees with Silva, he said.

"It's important for people to step back and see that nose art and know what the guys that have been here before us have gone through," said Cangealose. "It puts your mind at a different place when you take off for that training sortie."

For Capt. Margaret Ingerslew, 69th BS navigator on 0018, the bond to the aircraft lies in its stories.

"There are so many different generations who have sat in the same cockpit," said Ingerslew. "Everybody is concerned with what we're doing today, but I think sometimes they forget what this aircraft has done."

Ingerslew said she thinks the work Silva did uncovering the jet's stories and helping forge the bond between the crewmembers and their aircraft is significant.

"I hope this starts a new trend," said Ingerslew. "Being able to honor what this jet has done and know its story is really meaningful when you fly it and do your day-to-day job."

Since discovering the aircraft's history, Silva has made several strides in becoming more connected to 0018. Recently, he and the pilots had their names printed on the jet. Having their names on the jet displays the pride they feel in the work they perform on the aircraft, said Silva. Whether the job is on the ground or in the air, the names show that they are a part of the jet.

Additionally, Silva is currently working on having a plaque installed inside the aircraft. The plaque, which is meant to honor the previous crewmembers' sacrifices, will be engraved with the first paragraph of the POW/MIA ceremony:

"Those who have served and those currently serving the uniformed services of the United States are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation and internment."

The installation of the plaque will be just one more indication that Silva, his fellow maintenance crewmembers and his aircrew have each left their personal stories as part of 0018's historical legacy.