ART Top Dogs win DCC competition

  • Published
  • By By Staff Sgt. Lausanne Kinder
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Air Reserve Technicians from the 944th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, also representing the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, took first place during the 4th Quarter 56th Maintenance Group Dedicated Crew Chief competition Dec. 5, 2017.

The winners were announced during the 56th Maintenance Group Quarterly Awards ceremony Jan. 17, 2018.

Crew chiefs from the 62nd, 63rd, 309th, 310th, and 425th AMUs also competed. The aircraft and crew chiefs representing each AMU were chosen by the section chiefs based on experience, knowledge, and appearance of both the aircraft and crew chiefs.

"Winning this competition demonstrates the level of experience and knowledge that our 944th maintainers bring to the 944th and 56th (1K MXG)," said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Jagodzinski, 944th AMXS F-35 crew chief section chief.

Tech Sgt. John Robinson, dedicated crew chief, Staff Sgt. Danny Spence and Staff Sgt. Andrew Martin, assistant dedicated crew chiefs, are all ARTs from the 944th attached to the 61st AMU thus representing both sections.

"It was a team effort, and while Tech Sgt. Robinson, Staff Sgt. Spence, and I are specifically assigned to the [F-35] aircraft, many people of all ranks from both active duty and reserves helped with all aspects of getting the jet ready," said Martin.

Airmen work around the clock in three different shifts with specific duties to ensure the jets are mission ready 24/7.

“A lot of the DCC competition prep is having a solid knowledge of the current status of the aircraft and knowing what maintenance has been performed on the aircraft by any shop,” said Martin. “You must also show pride in your aircraft by way of keeping it clean and adding a personal touch that makes it your own.”

The team also had to take a written test based on aircraft maintenance knowledge and awareness going towards their overall score.

"The hope is that maintainers will continue to be recognized for the hard work and dedication they bring to the Air Force mission every day," said Jagodzinski. "I also hope this encourages others to follow the example of these three gentlemen and give their best at whatever they do."

Martin also expressed the pride he feels for being able to be a part of such a hard working team.

"For me it was a great experience because I looked at it as the Air Force giving me a 100 million dollar fighter jet and saying 'make it your own,'" said Martin. "Being a reservist in an active duty unit and being assigned to an aircraft is a great opportunity to make the 944th stand out."