thedrifter
06-15-04, 06:01 AM
'Coyote' maintainers keep squadron flying
Submitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 20046156324
Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Rainey
AL Taqqadum, Iraq (June 15, 2004) -- Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the maintenance Marines of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, turn wrenches and inspect each other's work to ensure their helicopters can fly within minutes of an alert.
This wasn't always the case for the Marines that preserve, repair and prepare the UH-1N Hueys and the AH-1W Super Cobras for this activated Reserve squadron. With half of the squadron accustomed to working in the military occupational specialty only one weekend a month and two weeks a year, Operation Iraqi Freedom has given the "Coyotes" time to grow together as an entire unit.
The unit came together from Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Johnstown, Pa., to meet as an entire squadron in Al Asad, Iraq, explained Master Sgt. Robert F. Dixon, maintenance chief, HMLA-775.
"It was almost like we had two squadrons joining together," said the 41 year old.
With active-duty Marines and activated reservists coming together from two ends of the country, not all the Marines were on the same page.
"It was a mission in itself to get the reservists up to speed with certifications and proficiencies," said Gunnery Sgt. Michael P. Edwards, flightline division chief, HMLA-775. "It took some time and some hard work, but these Marines were ready to go."
The operational tempo has been something that all of the maintenance Marines have had to adjust to, claimed Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Brainard, airframes mechanic, HMLA-775.
"We've had a lot of work to do with all of the helicopters going out and getting shot up," said Brainard. "Especially when they were going to Fallujah. They were coming back with bullet holes in the windshield, main rotor blade... even the ordnance."
Not only are the Marines dealing with an increased workload and pace, but they are also working without many of the tools and conveniences they have in the United States.
"It's not primitive here, but we don't have all the shop tools we are used to (having). We have to make up our own tools," explained Brainard.
The hot and windy weather on the flightline and inside work areas adds to the obstacles the Marines face when trying to complete their mission.
"It is so hot here all the time," said Cpl. Andrew A. Robinson, aviation maintenance administrative clerk, HMLA-775. "We have a fan, but it's not for us. It's for our computers so that they don't overheat."
The inevitable reminders of being in a combat zone also took some getting used to, Brainard interjected.
"In April, we were getting hit with mortars everyday. The guys are used to it now. They know exactly what to do," he said.
Despite the constant distractions, the maintenance crews continue to get the job done every day.
"It's amazing the technical knowledge these kids have. They have performed outstanding. We've gotten accolades from the commandant on down," said Sgt. Maj. William H. Carter, HMLA-775 sergeant major. "The pilots rely on the maintenance Marines to keep their helicopters flying."
The "Coyotes'" commanding officer, Lt. Col. Bruce Orner, AH-1W pilot, HMLA-775, can focus on the mission at hand without worrying if his maintenance crew has made the necessary repairs.
"I have a lot of confidence in them. There hasn't been a thought in the back of my mind when I go out to fly as far as maintenance goes," said the California State University graduate. "They've performed beyond my expectations. If I could handpick a crew, I couldn't have done better."
Unceasing effort from the entire maintenance section allows the "Coyotes" to be a quick reaction force.
"These guys always have the birds ready to go," said Edwards. "The pilots just have to hop in and start them up. Ordnance arms them and they are away. We can be in Fallujah in a matter of minutes."
The squadron's performance since they began flying missions for OIF reflects on the maintenance crew's ability to have their helicopters ready to launch whenever they are needed.
"We have completed 100 percent of the missions we've been tasked with for the last three months," said Orner.
The Marines take care of their helicopters because they know what is at stake, said Edwards.
"These Marines know that every second counts. They know it can be the difference between the bad guys pulling the trigger on a grunt, or them hearing the sound of our rotors spinning and getting out of there," he explained.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046156350/$file/001-775MAINT-lr.jpg
Lance Cpl. Omar Acuna inspects the main rotor of an AH-1W Super Cobra, June 8 at Al Taqqadum, Iraq. Acuna is a plane captain with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Maintenance Marines work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week through the harsh Iraqi heat in order to keep their aircraft flying every day. HMLA-775 is deployed to Al Taqqadum, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Rainey
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/3544B07555B8198A85256EB40039DE0E?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 20046156324
Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Rainey
AL Taqqadum, Iraq (June 15, 2004) -- Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the maintenance Marines of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, turn wrenches and inspect each other's work to ensure their helicopters can fly within minutes of an alert.
This wasn't always the case for the Marines that preserve, repair and prepare the UH-1N Hueys and the AH-1W Super Cobras for this activated Reserve squadron. With half of the squadron accustomed to working in the military occupational specialty only one weekend a month and two weeks a year, Operation Iraqi Freedom has given the "Coyotes" time to grow together as an entire unit.
The unit came together from Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Johnstown, Pa., to meet as an entire squadron in Al Asad, Iraq, explained Master Sgt. Robert F. Dixon, maintenance chief, HMLA-775.
"It was almost like we had two squadrons joining together," said the 41 year old.
With active-duty Marines and activated reservists coming together from two ends of the country, not all the Marines were on the same page.
"It was a mission in itself to get the reservists up to speed with certifications and proficiencies," said Gunnery Sgt. Michael P. Edwards, flightline division chief, HMLA-775. "It took some time and some hard work, but these Marines were ready to go."
The operational tempo has been something that all of the maintenance Marines have had to adjust to, claimed Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Brainard, airframes mechanic, HMLA-775.
"We've had a lot of work to do with all of the helicopters going out and getting shot up," said Brainard. "Especially when they were going to Fallujah. They were coming back with bullet holes in the windshield, main rotor blade... even the ordnance."
Not only are the Marines dealing with an increased workload and pace, but they are also working without many of the tools and conveniences they have in the United States.
"It's not primitive here, but we don't have all the shop tools we are used to (having). We have to make up our own tools," explained Brainard.
The hot and windy weather on the flightline and inside work areas adds to the obstacles the Marines face when trying to complete their mission.
"It is so hot here all the time," said Cpl. Andrew A. Robinson, aviation maintenance administrative clerk, HMLA-775. "We have a fan, but it's not for us. It's for our computers so that they don't overheat."
The inevitable reminders of being in a combat zone also took some getting used to, Brainard interjected.
"In April, we were getting hit with mortars everyday. The guys are used to it now. They know exactly what to do," he said.
Despite the constant distractions, the maintenance crews continue to get the job done every day.
"It's amazing the technical knowledge these kids have. They have performed outstanding. We've gotten accolades from the commandant on down," said Sgt. Maj. William H. Carter, HMLA-775 sergeant major. "The pilots rely on the maintenance Marines to keep their helicopters flying."
The "Coyotes'" commanding officer, Lt. Col. Bruce Orner, AH-1W pilot, HMLA-775, can focus on the mission at hand without worrying if his maintenance crew has made the necessary repairs.
"I have a lot of confidence in them. There hasn't been a thought in the back of my mind when I go out to fly as far as maintenance goes," said the California State University graduate. "They've performed beyond my expectations. If I could handpick a crew, I couldn't have done better."
Unceasing effort from the entire maintenance section allows the "Coyotes" to be a quick reaction force.
"These guys always have the birds ready to go," said Edwards. "The pilots just have to hop in and start them up. Ordnance arms them and they are away. We can be in Fallujah in a matter of minutes."
The squadron's performance since they began flying missions for OIF reflects on the maintenance crew's ability to have their helicopters ready to launch whenever they are needed.
"We have completed 100 percent of the missions we've been tasked with for the last three months," said Orner.
The Marines take care of their helicopters because they know what is at stake, said Edwards.
"These Marines know that every second counts. They know it can be the difference between the bad guys pulling the trigger on a grunt, or them hearing the sound of our rotors spinning and getting out of there," he explained.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046156350/$file/001-775MAINT-lr.jpg
Lance Cpl. Omar Acuna inspects the main rotor of an AH-1W Super Cobra, June 8 at Al Taqqadum, Iraq. Acuna is a plane captain with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Maintenance Marines work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week through the harsh Iraqi heat in order to keep their aircraft flying every day. HMLA-775 is deployed to Al Taqqadum, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Rainey
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/3544B07555B8198A85256EB40039DE0E?opendocument
Ellie