Tech. Sgt. earns top crew chief spot

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Holochwost
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke crew chiefs typically trade in their flightline duties for office work when they pick up their fifth stripe. This may change soon as Col. Geoffrey Parkhurst, 56th Maintenance Group commander, recently selected Tech Sgt. Justin Romo, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, to maintain the wing commander's F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"We are moving technical sergeants into three prestigious positions on the flightline," Colonel Parkhurst said. "Besides Sergeant Romo maintaining the wing commander's jet, technical sergeants will also maintain the 944th Fighter Wing and 56th Operation Group commander's jets."

Colonel Parkhurst said it doesn't make much sense to move maintainers off of the flightline once they get promoted to technical sergeant.

"I believe it is more important to have expertise and leadership on the flightline than behind a desk," he said. "I want young Airmen to have higher ranking leadership working closer with them so they can learn more. I want young Airmen to look up to these technical sergeants and say, 'I want to be just like them' or 'I want to be the next crew chief on the wing commander's jet.'"

Colonel Parkhurst said he selected Sergeant Romo as the next wing commander's crew chief because he exemplifies military standards professionally, physically and personally.

"Sergeant Romo has a great reputation and long history of producing excellent maintenance results," he said. "He is a leader and role model that all other crew chiefs can respect and look up to. As we focus on sending our maintenance experts back to the flightline to work on aircraft, we have no finer technical sergeant leader for the prestigious duty of dedicated crew chief of the fighter wing commander's aircraft than him."

Previously a flightline expeditor, Sergeant Romo said he broke the coveralls out of retirement and went back to the flightline as soon as he heard the news.

"Initially I was a little hesitant, because it felt like I was taking a step back in my career progression," Sergeant Romo said. "After thinking about it, I realized what an honor and challenge it is going to be."

Sergeant Romo said he will try his hardest to set a positive example for younger Airmen.

"I hope this change will motivate Airmen to put forth a better attitude and work ethic," he said. "Technical sergeants are few and far between on the flightline so I will have a unique opportunity to watch out for them and ensure they are doing their jobs correctly."