Crew chief dedicated to his MC-130J Commando II aircraft

by Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

12/5/2014 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- Aircraft flying overhead is a common sight for people living near an air base or airfield. What people may not know is the hard work and dedication that keeps the aircraft ready to respond at a moment's notice -- day or night.

Each aircraft on RAF Mildenhall is assigned its own dedicated crew chief. Their job is to ensure the aircraft is mission ready, whatever the weather. They take care of every component on their assigned aircraft ranging from the tires to the nuts and bolts that hold its engine together.

These crew chiefs are responsible for millions of dollars worth of aircraft and the people that operate them.

One Air Commando entrusted with the safety of his aircraft -- and its crew -- is Staff Sgt. Randy McDonald, 352nd Special Operation Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief from Sumter, South Carolina. Before the sun has even risen, he's out checking his aircraft when mission dictates this schedule.

Taking pride in his work, and the responsibility that goes with it, McDonald thoroughly inspects every aspect of the MC-130J Commando II he's assigned to.

"My job is to take care of the aircraft, make sure it flies and make sure everything is good on it," the South Carolina native explained.

To certify aircraft are taken care of effectively, each one has a dedicated crew chief, an assistant crew chief and three to four other maintainers assigned to it. It's the job of the DCC to hold the team together and make sure each member is doing his or her part. As important as the DCC is to the aircraft's readiness for flight, no operation can happen without a team. McDonald relies on subject matter experts when there is something that happens outside his range of knowledge.

"We have specialists that work alongside us (who) know about the different aspects of the aircraft," McDonald added.

The 352nd Special Operations Group operates on a 24-hour basis so the crew chiefs work shifts to ensure the aircraft is ready when the pilots and aircrew receive a tasking.

McDonald and other DCCs are a reflection of the ethos their leadership embraces.

"Staff Sgt. McDonald is always out on the flightline training our guys to make sure they are up to speed with the (MC-130J Commando II variant)," said Tech. Sgt. Chad Gordon, 352nd SOMXS flying crew chief manager from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. "He is fantastic and he's been a leader from the beginning."

For this particular Air Commando, the work is a labor of love he thoroughly enjoys especially because he is part of the bigger picture of the Air Force he serves and the vital missions the aircraft is used for.

"I enjoy launching the aircraft, getting it ready and actually seeing it fly," the crew chief stated.