Lt. Col. David Lemery, 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, speaks with the new dedicated crew chiefs during the recognition ceremony. According to Lemery, service as a dedicated crew chief is a unique opportunity that is met with pride, professionalism and enthusiasm by every individual who is selected for the privilege of crewing the world’s most advanced aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II.
The 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit honored 27 dedicated crew chiefs Sept. 29 during the first F-35 Lightning II dedicated crew chief ceremony at Luke Air Force Base to take place within a full squadron of F-35 aircraft. This ceremony is the first F-35 Lightning II dedicated crew chief ceremony at Luke to take place within a full squadron of F-35 aircraft. Each crew chief donned the specially designed squadron patch during the ceremony.
Members of the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepare to recite the Mechanic’s Creed during the recognition ceremony. Twenty-seven dedicated crew chiefs were each assigned an F-35 Lightning II.