Chad M. Tew, 2021 AMT 40 Under 40 Award Winner

Oct. 7, 2021
Maintenance Controller, Wing Aviation, and C-130J Crew Chief — 136th Airlift Wing, Houston, Texas, 36 Years Old.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Chad Tew joined the U.S. Air Force when he was 18 and fell in love with aviation.

Tew said he’s grateful to the Air Force for providing him with the opportunity to learn and grow in the aviation industry.

He started his career in aviation as an active-duty crew chief on MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft in Okinawa, Japan. He served 10 years active-duty as an air force special operations command crew chief, quality assurance evaluator, and C-130 crew chief instructor.

Since separating from active duty, Tew has served in the Texas Air National Guard in the 136th Airlift Wing in Fort Worth, Texas. Although he lives in Houston, he makes a 10-hour round-trip drive every month to continue to serve his state and country.

Working for Wing Aviation Charter Services as an A&P mechanic, conformity specialist and most currently a maintenance controller, he is involved in multiple facets of the company. As the maintenance controller, he is responsible for long- and short-term maintenance planning and aircraft on ground support for the largest corporate charter fleet in the Southwest United States. He coordinates with vendors from around the U.S. to plan and ensure completion of maintenance on a fleet of more than 25 aircraft that include Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Cessna, Hawker and Pilatus aircraft. Also an account manager for Wing Aviation, he coordinates all owner services for seven managed aircraft. Lastly, he communicates all maintenance and budgetary information to aircraft owners.

Tew has earned several awards including Wing Aviation employee of the year (2019), Cannon AFB Non-Commissioned Officer of the year (2010) and the U.S. Air Force John L. Levitow Award (2009).

Recently, he deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel, where he served as maintenance operations center superintendent for a fleet of 27 C-130, C-17 and MQ-9 aircraft. He received the United States Air Force Meritorious Service medal for his efforts.

Career goals of Tew include continue learning, working and progressing within the industry  supporting his military and civilian organizations to the best of his ability.