Forum: Air Power

I have kind of a long range favor to ask a USAF crew chief that gets a chance or has seen it already.

I am always interested in the maintenance process even though I am not a maintainer. I see the process enough but still find it interesting.

My request would be if there is any USAF maintainer out there that has seen Indian big SU-30 ops like our excercise in India and in Alaska to do a write up of just general observations of what they see of line maintenance of the big SU. I think it would be fascinating to read a story written by a USAF crew chief of their observations of how line maintenance is done on the aircraft: What has to be done, how difficult or easy things look, good stuff not so good stuff. etc. I think a generic story like this would be fascinating. It would be to me.

Las Vegas next year will be a good opportunity also.

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While this doesn't actually answer the question I think this is still valid. Durning MX O school, I was told a story by then Col Atkinson. Durning a visit by Russian generals they observed maintainers performing an engine change on an F-16. A team of 4 crew chiefs and engine guys were on hand for the task and some hands on training. The generals were told how the team works together and trains on real aircraft whenever possible. One of the Russians asked where the Officer was. When told that officers were not present for mantenance tasks but managing the flighline as a whole, the Russian then asked what rank was the individual who was making all the decisions and directing the actions. When it was explained that (at that time) the TSgt was inc charge of the task but it could have been a highly skilled SSgt with as little as 5 years of service, the Russian just knodded and mentioned something in Russian to his comrads. When another Russian was asked what the general had said, "that is why we would lose" was the answer.

The take-away is the fact that many decisions in the USAF are made at the lowest possible level. For any AF Mxers out there, could you imagine what it would be like if you had to have an LT direct all your work and make all the decisions for you?

As the Indians aren't the Russians this may not be of relevance to the question itself. Afaik Norwegian technicians are often officers as well and not sgts.

I realize it wasn't that relevant but just wanted to make a cultural point. Depending on how their military is manned, how many officers do they have vs enlisted etc. My point was that the Russians did not entrust enlisted technicians to make decisions. Let me see if I can get with an Indian MX officer I know to see if he can answer your question.

Forum: Air Power

Request to a Crew Chief....