Photo By Lance Cpl. Jacob Barber | Lance Cpl’s Hershal Copresto and James Eck, helicopter crew chiefs with Marine Heavy...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - The holiday season is underway and Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463’s maintenance control shop have been working diligently to ensure all 11 of their CH-53E aircraft are mission ready. Whether they are performing electrical maintenance, framework, mechanical, they have spent the holiday season supporting their squadron, which is conducting flight operations throughout December.
“Maintaining an aircraft involves a lot of smart Marines working a lot of hours, and that’s just the simple answer,” said Capt. Sean D. Jones, the operations officer for HMH-463. “The complex answer is there are heaps of preventative, unscheduled and scheduled maintenance that goes into each and every flight hour. Contrary to popular belief, robots don’t do the maintenance on our aircraft. It’s the diligent Marines in this squadron who do it.”
The Super Stallion crew is focused on repairing and maintaining each helicopter daily. The squadron has a variety of mechanics for multifaceted maintenance.
Sgt. Carter G. Saiben, an airframe mechanic with HMH-463, specializes in hydraulic systems and structural repair. He believes helicopter maintenance is crucial to the squadron’s mission of supporting Hawaii-based infantry units.
“Anything can happen on any day of the week … just because we are in the holiday season, doesn’t mean we can get complacent,” Saiben said. “A helicopter is a lot more than just a frame, so we work with electricians, mechanics and crew chiefs to ensure these aircraft are ready for take-off at any time. How we do it reflects not only on our unit, but other units around us.”
Without units to support the maintenance Marines don't have a job, according to Jones.
“The command and our Marines understand that we are supporters and providers,” Jones said. “Our unit has a reputation for getting the job done. There's a reason why HMH-463 was picked for so many difficult operations in Afghanistan. It starts by being efficient in everything we do.”
Lance Cpl. James Eck, a helicopter crew chief with HMH-463, has several responsibilities but spends a lot of time monitoring the functions of his crew’s aircraft.
“There are a lot of working parts involved in making sure our helicopters are ready and efficient,” Eck said. “During the holiday season, we have to work a little harder to make up for our low personnel numbers, but it’s something we easily overcome by working together.”
“In all honesty, there are no convenient times for maintenance,” Jones added. “We maintain a focus on readiness. It's not always glorious or fun, but we get the job done, whether it’s with 10 Marines or two.”
| Date Taken: | 12.26.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.02.2013 14:47 |
| Story ID: | 99853 |
| Location: | KANEOHE BAY, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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