'Fixers' keep 'big, ugly, fat fellas' flying

Published Nov. 7, 2005
By Alicia Helton
5th Bomb Wing

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFPN) -- What makes a plane fly? Engines and wings first come to mind.

But the answer is much simpler than that -- people. Maintainers to be exact.

There are about 120 crew chiefs at the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here. They are the lead maintainers who work on Minot’s fleet of B-52Hs Stratofortresses, commonly called the "big, ugly, fat fella." On a day-to-day basis, they are the ones who ensure everything on the aging aircraft works.

“Our priorities are to keep the planes in good flying condition, the pilots safe, the missions on schedule and the sortie rate high,” said Staff Sgt. Ben Davis, a crew chief.

If it weren’t for crew chiefs, he said, the planes would never leave the ground.

"They’re one of the main reasons these B-52’s are still flying after 50 years,” he said.

The maintainers check many things before the plane can fly. A combination of checks, double checks and a lot of elbow grease keep the planes flying.

“We are responsible for all general maintenance, including servicing the LOX [liquid oxygen], refueling, changing tires and continually replacing various parts and hardware,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Kohlrus, another crew chief.

Crew chiefs also change out windows, brakes, preflight the planes, and launch and recover them.

Since pilots can’t see much of the aircraft from the flight-deck, crew chiefs are the aircrew’s eyes while the jet is on the ground. Crew chiefs are responsible for guiding and marshaling the aircraft on a crowded flightline.

“We put immeasurable confidence in the maintainers,” said Capt. Roy Lohse, 23rd Bomb Squadron. “We trust them with our lives when we take a jet airborne.”

Sergeant Davis has been here five and half years. He said he joined the Air Force specifically to be a crew chief -- like his brother.

“After talking with him, I was convinced that this is what I wanted to do,” the sergeant said. “I love turning wrenches, and I really can’t see myself doing anything else. Brake changes, tire changes -- I love it all.”

Sergeant Kohlrus has been here since March 2000.

“Our job is very time consuming. Checking the planes takes time, and it is very important to pay attention to detail. But I wouldn’t trade it [being a crew chief] for the world,” Sergeant Kohlrus said.

When planes aren’t flying, Airmen work on them. In North Dakota, working outside --especially in the winter -- can be difficult. With a vast majority of their work done outside, crew chiefs must be prepared to do their jobs.

“Weather is the hardest part of the job,” Sergeant Kohlrus said .

Crew chiefs have the pride and knowledge to do their jobs well and to make sure the planes can stay in the air when the time comes, Captain Lohse said.

“The level of dedication and professionalism of our maintainers gives the aircrew great confidence in these aircraft when we fly,” the captain said. “We hold the maintainers in very high regard. They do a difficult job that requires a highly developed skill set -- and they do it well.”

At the end of the day, crew chiefs get satisfaction seeing their "Buff" land safely back home.

“All the work is rewarding once you get to see your jet break ground," Sergeant Davis said. "It’s a good feeling to know the aircrew will returnhome safely because you’ve done your job.”

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