Fly By: Cpl. Michael J. Purdy

Photo By Cpl. Scott L. Tomaszycki | Marine maintenance keeps the helicopters flying and as an airframes collateral duty inspector Cpl. Michael J. Purdy makes sure his Marines get the job done right on the UH-1N Huey and AH-1W Cobra. He inspects the hydraulic systems and the airframe structure of the aircraft and declares them good to go. “The job itself is fun,” said Purdy. “Sometimes there’ll be some stuff wrong with the aircraft that takes a while to figure out, but once you do, you feel good about it. We make sure we have helicopters that are fully mission capable and ready to go to the fight wherever they need to go.” Purdy said also he enjoys the challenge of leading junior Marines in their mission. He gives technical classes to his Marines weekly. “My favorite part is teaching the junior Marines," he said. "Certain leadership styles don’t work with everybody, so you have to be adaptive and be sure you can inspire each Marine a little bit.”  

HAVELOCK, NC, UNITED STATES

06.14.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Scott L. Tomaszycki 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

Job Title: Airframes Collateral Duty Inspector
Unit: Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467
Hometown: Mineola, N.Y.
Age: 25
Date Joined: May 28, 2008

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Marine maintenance keeps the helicopters flying and as an airframes collateral duty inspector Cpl. Michael J. Purdy makes sure his Marines get the job done right on the UH-1N Huey and AH-1W Cobra. He inspects the hydraulic systems and the airframe structure of the aircraft and declares them good to go.

“The job itself is fun,” said Purdy. “Sometimes there’ll be some stuff wrong with the aircraft that takes a while to figure out, but once you do, you feel good about it. We make sure we have helicopters that are fully mission capable and ready to go to the fight wherever they need to go.”

Purdy said also he enjoys the challenge of leading junior Marines in their mission. He gives technical classes to his Marines weekly.

“My favorite part is teaching the junior Marines," he said. "Certain leadership styles don’t work with everybody, so you have to be adaptive and be sure you can inspire each Marine a little bit.”

• Date Taken: 06.14.2012
• Date Posted: 06.14.2012 17:30
• Story ID: 90008
• Location: HAVELOCK, NC, US
• Hometown: MINEOLA, NY, US