Well he was the Maintenance officer for that VMFA (by his story) so he created his own problem -if- that was the case. The A/C mission capable tail numbers are his ass reporting to the CC. As is his job to test flight repaired or new A/C - this is the test flight of a new tail.
Yes he did, and removed a few hundred hours off of its service life for no reason at all, other than too stroke his ego… The fighters lose enough service life while in actual combat missions, no need too add too the abuse if it’s not needed. Wonder if he logged breaking the parameters of the airframes limitations?
Sore subject after maintaining for 35 years….
Back in the day, we (AF) had DCM’s they were in charge of all maintenance. Usually a 0-6 rated pilot. They walked on water. And they demanded accountability. They weren’t worried about yanking a pilot outta the seat and kicking him off of HIS airplane. We had a pilot fuck up the empennage of a 130 during a LAPES. Pilot made a joke walking away from it. Just a snide comment about maintenance will deal with it.
Plane sat in a hanger for 4 months. Had an entry control point with a sign in sheet. Every maintainer signed in, signed out. That captain was there for 8 hours a day 5 days a week, in a chair verifying every signature. He learnt something……
Don’t fuck with a DCM’s airplane…..