Daniel Stafford
Beachwood
Summary
Dynamic Senior Enlisted Leader with the United States Air Force, adept in aircraft systems troubleshooting and quality assurance. Proven track record in managing maintenance operations and enhancing team performance, ensuring mission readiness and compliance. Recognized for leadership in fostering a culture of safety and technical excellence across diverse maintenance teams.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Enlisted Leader
United States Air Force, USAF
03.2024 - Current
- Serves as principal enlisted advisor to unit leadership on personnel, readiness, and morale matters
- Leads and manages 39 F-16 maintainers supporting homeland defense and alert missions
- Oversees aircraft maintenance production, training, and manpower allocation
- Manages $110K annual maintenance operations budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and mission support
- Guides force development, performance evaluations, and professional mentorship across all enlisted tiers
Senior Quality Assurance Inspector
USAF
10.2022 - 02.2023
- Serves as the lead inspector and subject matter expert for maintenance quality, compliance, and safety
- Oversees the execution of inspection programs, including personnel evaluations, special inspections, and technical order compliance
- Analyzes maintenance trends, identifies systemic deficiencies, and recommends corrective actions to senior leadership
- Ensures strict adherence to AFIs, technical data, and maintenance policy through in-depth evaluations and process audits
- Leads investigations into mishaps, deviations, and product deficiencies, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective action tracking
- Trains and mentors QA personnel while fostering a culture of compliance and continuous improvement across the maintenance group
F-16 Quality Assurance Inspector
USAF
03.2022 - 10.2022
- Performs detailed inspections and evaluations on F-16 aircraft maintenance activities to ensure compliance with Air Force standards, technical orders, and safety protocols
- Conducts personnel evaluations, special inspections, and surveillance of critical tasks including engine maintenance, flight controls, and avionics systems
- Identifies maintenance discrepancies and procedural deviations; initiates corrective actions and ensures root cause analysis is documented and resolved
- Leads investigations into maintenance errors, aircraft incidents, and Technical Data violations, enforcing strict adherence to AFI 21-series and TO compliance
- Provides direct feedback to commanders on unit performance, maintenance trends, and process improvements; drives a culture of safety and technical excellence across the flightline
Flightline Expediter
USAF
03.2019 - 03.2022
- Directs and coordinates all F-16 maintenance activities on the flightline to ensure safe, timely, and mission-ready aircraft
- Manages aircraft generation and recovery operations, prioritizing tasks and allocating personnel to meet sortie production and alert requirements
- Serves as the primary point of contact between maintenance crews, production supervision, and operations during daily flying operations
- Monitors maintenance status, technical order compliance, and safety procedures in real-time to ensure quality control and rapid response to discrepancies
- Tracks aircraft status, manages Red Ball maintenance, and ensures proper documentation of all maintenance actions in computer database (IMDS) and AFTO forms
F-16 Dedicated Crew Chief
USAF
03.2018 - 02.2019
- Serves as the primary technician responsible for the condition, appearance, and readiness of an assigned F-16 aircraft
- Performs and oversees daily inspections, servicing, launch/recovery operations, and troubleshooting to ensure mission-capable status
- Maintains accurate aircraft records using IMDS and AFTO 781 forms; ensures strict compliance with technical orders and safety standards
- Coordinates with maintenance specialists and flightline expediters to manage unscheduled maintenance and Red Ball tasks
- Represents the unit and aircraft during inspections, airshows, and high-visibility events, upholding standards of professionalism and technical excellence
Transient Alert Technician
USAF
01.2017 - 02.2018
- Provides ground handling and servicing support for all transient military and civilian aircraft, including fixed- and rotary-wing platforms
- Executes safe launch and recovery operations, marshaling, parking, towing, and aircraft repositioning in accordance with AFI and FAA standards
- Performs refueling, defueling, oil servicing, tire pressure checks, and other pre-/post-flight servicing as required
- Inspects aircraft for damage, fluid leaks, and FOD; initiates appropriate maintenance action or coordinates with owning units
- Communicates directly with aircrews and base operations to ensure safe, timely, and professional service for all transient aircraft
Inspection Section Team Leader
USAF
11.2015 - 11.2016
- Leads a team of aircraft maintainers in conducting comprehensive phase inspections on F-16 aircraft to ensure airworthiness and mission readiness
- Manages inspection flow, task assignments, and technical data compliance across all major systems including airframe, powerplant, hydraulics, and avionics
- Coordinates with specialists, quality assurance, and production supervision to identify and resolve discrepancies and streamline maintenance timelines
- Ensures accurate documentation of all inspection findings and corrective actions using AFTO 781 series forms and IMDS
- Trains and mentors junior personnel, enforces safety standards, and maintains a high standard of technical precision throughout the inspection process
F-16 Dedicated Crew Chief
USAF
03.2014 - 10.2015
- Serves as the primary technician responsible for the condition, appearance, and readiness of an assigned F-16 aircraft
- Performs and oversees daily inspections, servicing, launch/recovery operations, and troubleshooting to ensure mission-capable status
- Maintains accurate aircraft records using IMDS and AFTO 781 forms; ensures strict compliance with technical orders and safety standards
- Coordinates with maintenance specialists and flightline expediters to manage unscheduled maintenance and Red Ball tasks
- Represents the unit and aircraft during inspections, airshows, and high-visibility events, upholding standards of professionalism and technical excellence
F-16 Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief
USAF
03.2011 - 03.2014
- Assists the Dedicated Crew Chief in managing the daily maintenance, servicing, and inspection of an assigned F-16 aircraft
- Performs launch, recovery, pre-flight, post-flight, and thru-flight inspections to ensure aircraft safety and mission readiness
- Troubleshoots and documents discrepancies in airframe, engine, and support systems using AFTO 781 series forms and IMDS
- Supports Red Ball maintenance, flightline coordination, and time compliance technical orders (TCTOs)
- Maintains aircraft cleanliness, enforces tool accountability, and ensures compliance with technical data and safety regulations
Education
Aeronautical
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL08-2025
Skills
- Aircraft Systems Troubleshooting
- Quality & Safety Assurance
- Flightline & Maintenance Operations
- Leadership & Team Management
- Technical Documentation & Systems
Certification
F-16 Weight and Balance Qualified
7-Level Completion
Working on A&P license
Timeline
Senior Enlisted Leader
United States Air Force, USAF
03.2024 - Current
Senior Quality Assurance Inspector
USAF
10.2022 - 02.2023
F-16 Quality Assurance Inspector
USAF
03.2022 - 10.2022
Flightline Expediter
USAF
03.2019 - 03.2022
F-16 Dedicated Crew Chief
USAF
03.2018 - 02.2019
Transient Alert Technician
USAF
01.2017 - 02.2018
Inspection Section Team Leader
USAF
11.2015 - 11.2016
F-16 Dedicated Crew Chief
USAF
03.2014 - 10.2015
F-16 Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief
USAF
03.2011 - 03.2014
Aeronautical
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
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