Photo By Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank | Lance Cpl. Josue A. Rodriguez, 18, from El Paso, Texas, a welder with Engineer...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — The art of alchemy isn't dead Marine welders and machinists continue to transform metals into veritable wealth for the Marine Corps.
Metal workers with Engineer Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group are the only Marines who support the entire metal repair and manufacturing needs of Marine Corps Installations — West.
Twentyfive Marines in the metal shop work on everything from recreating humvee parts to welding broken logistics vehicle systems to support all of MCI — West.
"The metal shop fixes the unfixable," said Cpl. Brandon J. Hessler, a machinist with Engineer Maintenance Company. "We fabricate tools and parts that would be otherwise unorderable, costly or do not exist," said Hessler, 22, from Lake Arrowhead, Calif.
The machinists use lathes and computer controlled machines to form different types of metals to the specifications needed for the set project. The equipment requires precise actions by the operator to produce the right part. By being self sufficient, the Marine Corps doesn't have to depend on outside agencies, which can be expensive.
"Welders and machinists save the Marine Corps hundreds of thousands of dollars every year," said Cpl. Zach L. Wellborn, a welder with Engineer Maintenance Co. "We can fabricate new parts and fix broken ones instead of purchasing new equipment."
When the metal workers aren't making parts, they're destroying the unserviceable weapons in the Marine Corps arsenal. They use torches to cut the barrels and trigger assemblies in half. Other times, metal workers only torch one side of the weapons so they can be used for training or put on display.
The metal shop is always busy, working an average of 40 projects a week during the busiest time of the year. With their hectic work schedules, they still focus on training the new guys.
"We have all the junior Marines practice working with all sorts and sizes of metals to ensure they have the proper skills necessary for the upcoming deployment to Afghanistan," said Wellborn, 23, from Berrien, Mich.
While deployed, metal workers can quickly fabricate parts for Marines instead of them having to wait for shipping. This process both saves the Marine Corps money and doesn't stall units so they can continue on with the mission.
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.07.2009 16:23 |
| Story ID: | 33339 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 222 |
| Downloads: | 140 |
This work, Modern Day Alchemists: Metal workers bring the heat to support Marine Corps Installation - West, by Cpl Jacob A. Singsank, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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