Young crew chief Published Jan. 19, 2009 Jan. 19, 2009 -- A fuzzy-cheeked (then) Senior Master Sgt. Robert Salter in 1968 on the steps of an F-4 Phantom based in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Sergeant Salter, who retired this month, served 18 months in Southeast Asia. He joined the Air Force in 1967 after high school. Sergeant Salter has served some 24 years with the 932nd Airlift Wing. His entire military career has been aircraft maintenance.