Senior Airman Devon Charmichael , a Low-Observable technician, launches an F-35A piloted by 388th Fighter Wing vice commander Col Derek O'Malley at Hill Air Force Base Jan 31. Launching aircraft is historically done by the crew chief, but 388th FW maintainers participating in the Blended Operational Lightning Technicians program are learning other maintainer positions in an effort to create a smaller maintenance footprint.