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Commander becomes one of the crew

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 325th Fighter Wing commander learned how to perform the duties of a 95th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Airman April 18 at Hanger 1.

Col. David E. Graff, 325th FW commander, met Staff Sgt. Simon S. Zemanek, 95th AMU tactical aircraft maintenance crew chief, as part of the Airman Shadow Program.

"I did not think the shadow program was real," Zemanek said. "I have only been here for a couple of months, and when I found out I was being shadowed, I thought it would be interesting to see what would happen."

Master Sgt. Brian Fredenburg, 95th AMU tactical aircraft maintenance section chief, chose Zemanek for the program.

"He is a true go-getter, who is always looking for ways to improve the mission," Fredenburg said. "He puts safety first while performing dedicated crew chief duties as well."

According to his nomination letter, he has increased the unit's ability by 10 percent by training six Airmen on engine liners, and he helped in the transfer of six jets from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., to Tyndall.

"As a crew chief, I am the 'grease monkey' for the fighter jets," Zemanek added. "It is a very technical job with a wide range of duties."

Zemanek expressed his thoughts about being shadowed by Graff.

"I think he enjoyed getting his hands dirty and being away from the office," Zemanek said.

After his shadow was over, Zemanek closed with his sentiment.

"Everything turned out great," he said. "We worked on F-22 Raptors, and colonel Graff got his hands dirty."