Demo team, board selects the few and proud Published Oct. 3, 2006 By Phillip O. Butterfield 33d Fighter Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Not just anyone can be a member of the Air Combat Command F-15 West Coast Demonstration Team. Each fall, crew chiefs, avionics specialists and engine specialists from the 33d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 33d Maintenance Squadron compete for a handful of spaces on this prestigious team and it isn't as easy as walking through the door and saying 'I'm here.' Interested individuals go through their supervisors and fill out a basic questionnaire asking the hopefuls why they want to be part of the team. From there, the questionnaire is routed through the 33d AMXS chief of maintenance and then to the demo team for review. "Each year we swap out half the team," said Capt. Tony Bierenkoven, F-15 West Coast Demo Team pilot. "With nine people on the team we only advertise four to five positions so we can keep some continuity throughout the team." In addition to the questionnaire, an examination of records and an interview are used in picking potential members for the demo team. The interview board consists of the demo team pilot, Captain Bierenkoven; 33d AMXS maintenance chief, Chief Master Sgt. Jesse Cain; 33d AMXS commander, Maj. Rob Gilchrest; and the NCOIC of the demo team, Master Sgt. Richard Cook. The board looks for well-rounded mechanics with no administrative problems and good personal appearance. Public speaking skills are important as well because team members are Air Force and 33d Fighter Wing representatives at airshows. "The selection process is great," said Chief Cain. "Anyone on the board can ask questions, which helps out greatly. If I'm asking one of the candidates about maintenance, then one of the other board members can grade the candidate on dress or mannerisms." Not knowing what questions will be asked, or who will be on the board, can be stressful on the candidates. "I expected a lot of hard questions about maintenance and other supervisory skills," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones, 60th Aircraft Maintenance Unit flightline expediter and demo team candidate. "And the butterflies I had went away when I used the experiences I gained from boards in the past." The demo team members who were chosen in late August to start their two-year assignments with the team will spend approximately four months learning the ropes from the outgoing team members. "The demo team gives the Airmen the opportunity to get other people excited about the Air Force, just like they are. The prestige of working for the demo team is also another draw for the candidates," said Captain Bierenkoven. Names of the new team members will be announced in mid-September.