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374th AMXS names new Dedicated Crew Chiefs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Spencer Tobler
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  

Etched above the crew door of each C-130J Super Hercules assigned to Yokota Air Base, Japan, lies two names. These are the names of maintainers responsible for the well-being of that aircraft. These are the names of Airmen who have pledged to take guardianship of the Air Force’s most critical assets. 

(Left to right) Airman 1st Class William Watson and Staff Sgt. Steven Richichi, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron hydraulic systems specialists, pose in front of a Yokota C-130J Super Hercules after being named Dedicated Crew Chiefs at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 18, 2023. The Dedicated Crew Chief program is a longstanding military tradition that first began in the Army Air Corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Spencer Tobler)

(Left to right) Airman 1st Class William Watson and Staff Sgt. Steven Richichi, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron hydraulic systems specialists, pose in front of a Yokota C-130J Super Hercules after being named Dedicated Crew Chiefs at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 18, 2023. The Dedicated Crew Chief program is a longstanding military tradition that first began in the Army Air Corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Spencer Tobler)
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The Dedicated Crew Chief program is a longstanding military tradition that first began in the Army Air Corps. Maintainers who exemplified technical expertise, professionalism, and initiative would earn the right to have their names etched onto the aircraft they worked on. 

For the first time in two years, the 36th Airlift Squadron selected an “Aircraft of the Month” and named two members of the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as DCCs, for consistently exceeding maintenance standards for aircraft.

“These individuals have gone above and beyond in the care of their aircraft," said Senior Master Sgt. Noah Shedd, 374th AMXS maintenance flight superintendent. “They make sure extra precautionary inspections still get done.” 

Staff Sgt. Steven Richichi and Airman 1st Class William Watson, 374th AMXS hydraulic systems specialists, say they don’t take this honor lightly. 

“Now I feel as if there’s more than just my day-to-day work," said Watson. “If we don’t have maintenance tasks for the fleet, there’s always something I could be doing for my aircraft.”

Shedd believes the 374th Maintenance Group’s ongoing effort to bolster the DCC program will uphold military tradition and highlight Airmen who exemplify the Air Force’s Multi-Capable Airman initiative.

“Maintainers should be proud of their aircraft,” said Shedd. “We want to give these maintainers back the pride they earn each and every day.”