Crew Chief Profiles

Hey ole chief,

Remember me, I was in the 17th in 1987, I was on aircraft 1065 with Bowles. I did go to the misssouri Air national guard and retired from there, Worked at Mcdonnell Douglas as an Engineer and still do. I would have stayed at shaw longer than a year, but with that stupid drug thing that kept me off the flightline for nearly 2 months was enough for me. I mean me of all people drugs. Just goes to show you, if you come from Holland look out. I did get the crap recinded, but I will never forgive that !@#$%^& Col. we had. Anyway glad to hear you retired, where you keeping residence these days? I am living in St.Louis, Mo. Also I thought we changed our squadron to the 17th Owls, but I could be wrong, was a long time ago.Talk at ya later and happy flying.

Darell

I got to see your jet at AMARC when I was TDY from Hill to do some pack and crates for FMS. I remember spending some time on this bird while we were at TJ (86-88).

Dave Beeman

i know you remember my ass. lol. we did the whole 17th/77fs during all those years at Shaw (1990 - 1998). i miss the guys man. Air Force aint the same any more. you, kevin bantum, mike zink, scotty Mac, and the rest of that group. that was the best set of maintainers ever assembled, hands down. let me know how you been doing. i retire 1 July and im stuck in Korea to do it. getting out and moving to Cali. later buddy.

MSgt Davis,

I was the original Crew Chief on 821 in 1983. I crewed F-4D 66-7715 before we transitioned to the Vipers in '83.

I did the acceptance inspection on 821 in the 614th hanger and dropped an apex bit behind a large fuel line on the right backbone area. When I got a magnet to pull the bit out, I pulled a double open-end wrench out too! It was from Ft Worth since the jet was brand new and it had the guy's name on the wrench! His name was "Ewing" which was funny since the T.V. show "Dallas" was popular at the time. QA sent the wrench back to GD with a rather nasty note!

It was a great jet in the year or so I had it. It had that "new car smell" when it arrived but it didn't take long for it to gather other smells since it seemed to be the designated "incentive flight pukemobile" for a while. I did my best to keep it clean and I hope you found it in good shape after I left. I don't know who got it when I left in June of '84.

It was in phase when I got my incentive ride with Capt Chace Johnson So I rode in 1011 instead (I think that was the tail #) Yeah, i puked and blacked out a few times but it was fun and by-god, i hit the BAG!

It's funny that 821 ended up back here at Tucson before it was wrecked. I'll try to find it on AMARC someday. I used to be a DV tourguide for AMARC when I worked at 12th AF.

When I left TJ, I became a Flight Engineer and never crewed again. I flew all over the world in my 26 years in the Af and loved every minute of it (except when getting shot at.)

Cheers!

Scott Beavers