Ryukyu Warriors repair sole LHD deck in Pacific

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock | Lance Cpl. Koury M. Lachance (right) and Lance Cpl. Dylan J. Rucker (left) check the measurements of the cruciform stakes holding down the landing helicopter deck on Ie Shima Dec. 5 as a part of routine maintenance that is done monthly. The stakes hold down the matting on the LHD to ensure the matting stays in place as aircrafts land. Lachance and Rucker are expeditionary airfield technicians. Lachance is with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172. Rucker is with MWSS-171, Marine Wing Support Squadron 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

12.06.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - As Ryukyu Warrior 12, an annual Marine Air Command and Control System training exercise, kicks off Marines and sailors of Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 begin simulated training exercises on the island of Ie Shima to prepare for real world exercises. While Marines conduct numerous training exercises preparing for combat, Navy corpsmen train to save Marines.

Marines participating in Ryukyu Warrior 12 assisted expeditionary airfield technicians as they completed a project on a landing helicopter deck on Ie Shima Dec. 5.

Upon completion of the deck, it will be the only LHD in the Pacific area of operations where Marine Harrier pilots can practice vertical and short takeoffs and landings on a mock ship deck before doing it for real.

The project consisted of re-surfacing the deck with new matting. Originally, the LHD deck was an older Landing Helicopter Assault deck.

“This island is utilized for training by all the branches of service,” said Sgt. Landon Llewellyn, an expeditionary airfield technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172. “The importance of the repairs we have done out here supports not just Marines, but the entire Armed Forces.”

The LHD deck has monthly routine maintenance, but the re-matting of the deck is done about every five to seven years, said Llewellyn.

The matting pads are 6-feet by 12-feet, each weighing about 150 pounds, and are interlocked in a brickwork-like pattern to create the landing surface.

“We started this re-matting project around July of 2009,” said Llewellyn. “It is great to have the Marines of Ryukyu Warrior 12 down here to help as we complete this two-year project.”

On Dec. 6, representatives from Iwakuni will conduct an inspection of the LHD deck determining whether the deck is functional for training. Upon a successful inspection, the LHD deck is certified, operational for training, said Llewellyn.

In preparation for inspection, Marines conducted routine operations on the deck including driving three to six foot anchoring stakes into edge clamps that prevent padding on the deck from shifting. Marines also worked on the lighting, and finished painting the centerline for visibility.

“This is a great opportunity for us to cross-train with MWSS-172,” said Lance Cpl. Dylan J. Rucker, an expeditionary airfield technician with MWSS-171, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st MAW.

Having the Marines participating in Ryukyu Warrior 12 available to assist with the deck was a great help, said Llewellyn.
“Knowing this is the only deck in the Pacific makes me feel like I accomplished something great,” said Lance Cpl. Paulette A. Thompson, a ware- house clerk with MWSS-172 from Ryukyu Warrior 12 assisting in the repair of the LHD deck.

• Date Taken: 12.06.2011
• Date Posted: 12.14.2011 00:09
• Story ID: 81326
• Location: OKINAWA, JP