Marines, Soldiers work together to keep birds in the sky

AL ASAD, IRAQ

06.28.2009

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Reina Vasquez 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — The Marines of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 don't typically work on Army aircraft. However, when the call comes for help as it recently did, Marines with the powerplant division answer the call.

Completing a task that was outside the normal parameters of their everyday work, Sgt. Andrew Park, a collateral duty inspector and dynamic components non-commissioned officer with the powerplant division of MALS-26, and Lance Cpl. Nicholas Cannady, a dynamic components mechanic, used their knowledge and skill sets to help the Soldiers with B Company, 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, aboard Al Asad Air Base.

Chief Warrant Officer Walter Hunter, officer in charge of the powerplant division, said his Marines are very technically proficient and he had no reservations about assigning them to assist the Soldiers with B/1-214 Avn.

"They're motivated Marines and are here to support the mission," Hunter said.

So when the call came from the maintenance officer at B/1-214 Avn., asking for support, Hunter gladly obliged.

"We gave them a tour to show them our capabilities and they saw that our aircraft were similar -- both being manufactured by Boeing."

An individual augment, Park is originally attached from MALS-39, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He is on his second deployment to Iraq, and Park describes his work as hands-on, working on engines and all dynamic components.

"I work on everything that basically turns and moves," he said. "I do the visual inspection and overhaul of the aircraft. I look over [the aircraft] and see what the squadron had problems with. Then a team of us cleans it up, breaks it apart, sees what's broken, fixes it and puts it back together in accordance with the manual."

Park and Cannady soon forged a partnership with Sgt. 1st Class Dean Wehr, maintenance nonc-ommissioned officer in charge, B/1-214 Avn., and his Soldiers.

Face to face with the CH-47 Chinook, Park and Cannady both agreed the parts generally looked larger than what they were used to working on, but the aircraft design was familiar. The two Marines worked for about a week and a half to fix four rotor heads.

"Working on the CH-47 Chinook assured me, as a CDI, that I can work on anything. I can do my job, even if I've never seen the aircraft before," said Park.

This new challenge, he said, definitely built up his confidence and he believes working on something different was a good experience for him.

Cannady, who is on his first deployment to Iraq, said he enjoyed the experience and likes what he does.

"This whole thing is a great experience for me ... learning different types of aircraft and their systems." Cannady says he's in awe of how many things need to be done to make one component of an aircraft work.

The two Marines and Soldiers worked together to accomplish several tasks, including rotating the bearings on a rotor head 180 degrees -- something that's imperative to the phase maintenance process due to the number of flight hours the aircraft has.

Staff Sgt. David Hoeveler, a production control NCOIC with B/1-214 Avn., worked with Park and Cannady on the Chinook and said he really appreciated their dedication.

"I'm always happy to help them out," said Park. "If any service member needs help to accomplish the mission out here, we're here."

Wehr said with the 30 Soldiers he has, he desperately needed the help and the MALS-26 Marines came through.

"The Marines were great; we depend on MALS for intermediate maintenance and even some depot-level maintenance," said Wehr. He expressed his utmost respect for the Marines that worked alongside his Soldiers, and credited their teamwork for a successful outcome.

As for Park and Cannady, both Marines learned some of the intricacies of the Chinook's components, and both said they benefited from the experience and are glad to have lent their support.

Hunter added his Marines have his full trust and confidence, and this is just one of many examples of the exemplary work these Marines accomplish on a daily basis.