I was an F-16 Crew Chief my entire career. I was lucky enough to get assigned as an airman to Torrejon AB in Spain. What a great way to kick of my AF career. I spent plenty of time in Turkey being assigned to the 613th AMU, but I also got to do TDY's to Aviano-Italy, Monte Real AB-Portugal, Orange AB France and a couple of TDY's to Vegas. While I was in the 613th I was also the Wing Commanders Assistant Crew Chief - my DCC's were Mark Avra and Rich Tirado. During Desert Storm I was a moblity NCO and helped plan and deploy the 612th and 614th to Qatar and Turkey. After I left Spain I spent 3 years at Spangdahlem AB, then I got orders to Shaw AFB to the 78th FS. I stayed there for roughly 2 years and I was off to the "Kun" (97-98). When I left the "Kun" I was assigned to the 79th FS at Shaw for a short while and transitioned to the 77th where I was an expeditor. In 1999 I applied and was accepted to the 9th AF F-16 Demo Team as the Assistant Team Cheif - best F-16 gig I ever had....doing airshows almost every weekend you cant beat that. I am now out of the Air Force and working for a company called NetJets and I am the night shift supervisor for their repair station
Current or Favourite assignment
Looking back on Spain, Torrejon was one of the best kept secrets in the Air Force. Being 21 and getting to go live in Europe what more could you ask for. Spain was such a great county with so much history and not to mention the Spanish women. It was busy assignment but we worked hard and played even harder - be it in Alcala, Madrid, Aviano or Turkey. We always had a good time!!!
While assigned to this aircraft, it was picked to be the first C-Model Wing Commanders aircraft. My DCC's were Mark Avra and Rich Tirado. Very good aircraft.