Fly by: Lance Cpl Jeffery V. Kruger

Photo By Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom | Lance Cpl. Cpl. Jeffery V. Kruger is a dual qualification plane captain who performs maintenance on both AH-1W Cobras and UH-1N Hueys with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

03.19.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Lance Cpl. Cpl. Jeffery V. Kruger is a dual qualification plane captain who performs maintenance on both AH-1W Cobras and UH-1N Hueys with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467.

"I am the last maintainer to look at the bird before it takes off," said Kruger. "If I sign off on a bird without looking over it, I am saying it is ready to fly and if a pilot dies due to malfunctions then it is on me."

Kruger takes his job seriously though being named HMLA-467's Maintenance Marine of the month for February.

"I am very proud to be in the job I am," Kruger exclaimed. "It takes a lot to become a flight line maintainer and I take great pride in doing it."

Kruger said his favorite part of his job is in fact what makes it so challenging.

"This job is fast paced," said Kruger. "This job changes every day. I come in one day and I might be putting in a few new belts and the next day I could be doing an in depth engine repair. I have a lot a lot on my plate day in and day out and it makes it difficult but I wouldn't change it for the world."

• Date Taken: 03.19.2012
• Date Posted: 03.22.2012 16:59
• Story ID: 85625
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US
• Hometown: PLAINVIEW, MN, US