Saving Lives, One Wrench Turn at a Time

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

09.12.2023

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Danilo Reynoso 

USS Bataan (LHD 5)

The aviation intermediate maintenance department (AIMD) usually consists of multiple divisions of Sailors that hold an aviation mechanic rating such as aviation machinist’s mate (AD), aviation structural mechanic (AM), aviation support equipment technician (AS), and aviation maintenance adimistrativeman (AZ). However, onboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), these Sailors are integrated with Marines, assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, that are specially trained to perform maintenance and repairs on their specific aircrafts.
Bataan houses AV-8B Harriers, MV-22B Ospreys, CH-53E Super Stallions, and H-1 Hueys, all attached to Marine Medium Tilt Roader Squadron 126 (Reinforced), along with naval MH-60S Sea hawks, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26. Each Navy and Marine squadron embarked Bataan with their own aviation maintenance men that integrated into the existing Bataan team for the duration of this deployment.
Aviation maintenance is generally broken up into three categories; organizational, intermediate and depot maintenance. AIMD, as stated in its name, is mainly responsible for intermediate maintenance which includes, but not limited to, the calibration of the equipment and tools, repair or replacement of damaged parts, components or assemblies and any technical assistance having to do with the birds.
The embarked Marine maintainers are specially trained for each Marine aircraft. Along with each craft, there are Marines that specialize in areas such as structures, hydraulic systems and tilt roaders.
“A lot of these aircrafts we (Sailors) have not had the opportunity to work on very often,” said Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Michael Cook, IM-02 Divisional Officer and Leading Chief Petty Officer. “Our Marines have skills that are specific to each aircraft. We have helicopter and medium tilt-roader mechanics along with mechanics specific to structural components and hydraulic systems. Whereas the Sailors have a broader, all-encompassing skillset.”
The AIMD Sailors have been trained with general mechanic skills that can be used with general supporting equipment and the use of the tools at hand.
“The Marines frequently teach Sailors, especially the junior Sailors, new tips and tricks they have learned along the way,” Cook stated.
The Sailors and Marines work side-by-side throughout the department. The Marines teach the Sailors the mechanics of the Marine aircrafts, while the Sailors provide the parts, tools, materials and an extra hand where it’s needed.
“Aviation and all we do is very important,” declared Cook. “At the end of the day, we want to make sure the pilots, aircrew, and passengers get back safely. Their lives can be dependent on the repair we have made.”
The maintenance and repairs that AIMD performs could be the difference between life and death. The pilots, aircrew, and passengers put their trust into the maintainers to keep the aircrafts functioning safely and properly every day.
“Anyone riding in the aircrafts are trusting that we are maintaining and repairing them to the best of our abilities, so they can continue to complete their missions of putting boots on the ground, providing humanitarian aid, or even saving lives.”

• Date Taken: 09.12.2023
• Date Posted: 12.02.2023 08:19
• Story ID: 458816
• Location: U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY