Wild Weasel Walkthrough: 14th FGS/Crew Chiefs

  • Published
  • By Airman Hannah Bench
  • 35th Fighter Wing

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, left, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, and Senior Airman Derek Johnson, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, inspect the wheel of an F-16 during a brake pad change.

250623-F-VQ736-1051

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, left, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, and Senior Airman Derek Johnson, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, inspect the wheel of an F-16 during a brake pad change at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 23, 2025. From brake pad changes to flightline inspections, crew chiefs enable the 35th Fighter Wing to generate combat airpower and remain forward-ready in support of Indo-Pacific stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 5 images | 250623-F-VQ736-1051
U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, left, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, and Senior Airman Derek Johnson, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, inspect the wheel of an F-16 during a brake pad change.

250623-F-VQ736-1051

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, left, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, and Senior Airman Derek Johnson, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, inspect the wheel of an F-16 during a brake pad change at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 23, 2025. From brake pad changes to flightline inspections, crew chiefs enable the 35th Fighter Wing to generate combat airpower and remain forward-ready in support of Indo-Pacific stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

1 of 5
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, right, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, and Senior Airman Derek Johnson, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, unfastens a wheel from an F-16 during a brake pad change.

250623-F-VQ736-1077

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, right, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, and Senior Airman Derek Johnson, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, unfastens a wheel from an F-16 during a brake pad change at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 23, 2025. Crew chiefs’ expertise in aircraft maintenance, rapid troubleshooting, and communication with maintenance and operations teams ensures the 35th Fighter Wing remains ready to respond swiftly to global contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

2 of 5
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, left, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, briefs Airmen on the schedule for the Wild Weasel Walkthrough.

250623-F-VQ736-1007

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, left, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, briefs Airmen on the schedule for the Wild Weasel Walkthrough at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 23, 2025. Through this weekly tradition, the 35th Fighter Wing command team stays connected to the frontline efforts that enable air superiority across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

3 of 5
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, right, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Derek Johnson, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, removes a bolt from a used brake pad.

250623-F-VQ736-1148

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, right, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Derek Johnson, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, removes a bolt from a used brake pad at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 23, 2025. Crew chiefs perform detailed inspections, troubleshoot complex systems, replace critical components, and manage maintenance documentation to keep 35th Fighter Wing F-16s mission ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

4 of 5
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Derek Johnson, right, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, inserts a new F-16 brake pad with the help of U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, during a Wild Weasel Walkthrough.

250623-F-VQ736-1162

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Derek Johnson, right, 14th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon assistant dedicated crew chief, inserts a new F-16 brake pad with the help of U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Kenkel, 35th Fighter Wing deputy commander, during a Wild Weasel Walkthrough at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 23, 2025. Through this weekly tradition, the 35th Fighter Wing command team stays connected to the frontline efforts that enable air superiority across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

5 of 5
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res