thedrifter
08-15-07, 08:56 AM
Marine welders fill critical mission in Iraq
08/15/2007
Welding, OH
When an axle on a seven-ton armored vehicle breaks here in the U.S. it might take days to receive new parts. In Iraq it could take weeks, but Marine welders burn through the delays caused by broken metal and keep the units they support moving.
Welders save the Marine Corps time and money by completing on-the-job maintenance, explained Sgt. Tim Montgomery, a heavy equipment chief with Combat Logistics Company 11, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Squadron. Welders contribute to the missions of the Marine Corps by acting as on-site repairmen. Their duties vary from mounting gun turrets on top of armored vehicles to welding a few beads of reinforcement on to metal plating to getting the aforementioned axle back on the road.
While most of these tasks take place in the relative safety of a base or garrison, welders also get their boots on the ground, hands filthy and throw sparks in the air on the battlefield too. "In Iraq, welders created mock designs of mine rollers and attached them to vehicles on patrol," said Master Sgt. James Clark, the senior-enlisted advisor with CLC-11. Mine rollers are safety devices placed on the fronts of armored vehicles or convoys. The rollers detonate improvised explosive devices before they damage vehicles and injure personnel, explained Clark. “When it comes down to it, these are the people designing equipment that save peoples’ lives,” stated Clark.
Welders get their training at the U.S. Army Ordnance School at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. During training, the Marines learn about various types of welding and soldering machines and multiple welding and cutting techniques. The most challenging part of the school was mastering the armor plating techniques, explained Lance Cpl. Jonathan Snow, a welder with CLC-11. Welders understand immediately the necessity of knowing how to repair armor plating, according to Snow, as the plating is used to protect vehicles and fortifications from enemy fire - underscoring the significance of Marine welders in the mission to protect Marines.
Ellie
08/15/2007
Welding, OH
When an axle on a seven-ton armored vehicle breaks here in the U.S. it might take days to receive new parts. In Iraq it could take weeks, but Marine welders burn through the delays caused by broken metal and keep the units they support moving.
Welders save the Marine Corps time and money by completing on-the-job maintenance, explained Sgt. Tim Montgomery, a heavy equipment chief with Combat Logistics Company 11, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Squadron. Welders contribute to the missions of the Marine Corps by acting as on-site repairmen. Their duties vary from mounting gun turrets on top of armored vehicles to welding a few beads of reinforcement on to metal plating to getting the aforementioned axle back on the road.
While most of these tasks take place in the relative safety of a base or garrison, welders also get their boots on the ground, hands filthy and throw sparks in the air on the battlefield too. "In Iraq, welders created mock designs of mine rollers and attached them to vehicles on patrol," said Master Sgt. James Clark, the senior-enlisted advisor with CLC-11. Mine rollers are safety devices placed on the fronts of armored vehicles or convoys. The rollers detonate improvised explosive devices before they damage vehicles and injure personnel, explained Clark. “When it comes down to it, these are the people designing equipment that save peoples’ lives,” stated Clark.
Welders get their training at the U.S. Army Ordnance School at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. During training, the Marines learn about various types of welding and soldering machines and multiple welding and cutting techniques. The most challenging part of the school was mastering the armor plating techniques, explained Lance Cpl. Jonathan Snow, a welder with CLC-11. Welders understand immediately the necessity of knowing how to repair armor plating, according to Snow, as the plating is used to protect vehicles and fortifications from enemy fire - underscoring the significance of Marine welders in the mission to protect Marines.
Ellie