Sheppard in Photos: A-10 crew chiefs strut their stuff in block 6 of training Published March 9, 2022 By 2nd Lt. Jackson Eaves 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – All sorts of aircraft maintenance specialties are trained here in North Texas, but there is one that is considered the primary caretaker of each aircraft in the Air Force inventory, and that's the crew chief. The 362nd Training Squadron, the largest of all of Sheppard AFB's technical training squadrons, is solely focused on producing highly training maintainers needed to ensure the airworthiness of an aircraft is met on the ground before it takes to the skies. Crew chiefs, or tactical aircraft maintainers, are responsible for identifying maintenance issues with their aircraft and calling in specialists from other career fields to replace or repair components. In this edition of Sheppard in Photos, we take a look at an A-10 Thunderbolt II crew chief apprentice course class in block 6 of training, where they learn how to service and maintain the main landing gear shock strut of the ground attack aircraft.