Commander shadows 325th MXG Airman for a day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 325th Fighter Wing commander learned the duties of a 325th Maintenance Group Airman April 1, as part of the Commander's Shadow program.

Brigadier Gen. James S. Browne, 325th FW commander, shadowed Staff Sgt. Joel Dulatre, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-22 Raptor dedicated crew chief, while he performed his daily responsibilities at the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit support section.

"It was a great privilege to have the commander shadow me, and for me to be able to give him insight as to what we do on a daily basis," said Sergeant Dulatre.

Sergeant Dulatre and the commander checked out a tool box and prepared an aircraft for launch.

"I was able to show him what lengths we go through to verify tool control and accountability," Sergeant Dulatre said. "I was also able to show him how extensive and precise the inspections we conduct on the jet have to be to ensure aircraft reliability, and most importantly, pilot safety."

Sergeant Dulatre is accountable to aircraft section noncommissioned officer in charge for the F-22. He verifies aircraft status during periodic, special, scheduled, and unscheduled inspections to defer discrepancy maintenance. In September 2010, he volunteered and was selected for deployment to Iraq.

"He is consistently among the top performers in our section and always goes out of his way to ensure the mission is completed," said Master Sgt. Mark Edwards, Sergeant Dulatre's supervisor and nominator for the program. "Sergeant Dultare bleeds Air Force blue and epitomizes what it means to be an Airman in today's Air Force."

The Commander's Shadow program is a 325th FW commander program designed to recognize 325th FW personnel. The program provides an opportunity for the commander to meet Airmen and get a first-hand look at what Tyndall Airmen are doing.