Photo By Cpl. Jorden Wells | Lance Cpl. Mackenzie C. Covey, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 aircraft mechanic,...... read more read more
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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Without the hard work and diligent attention to detail that mechanics possess, the many missions that are carried out by squadrons such as Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 would not be possible, said Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael Keatley, VMM-263 maintenance chief.
Rough, tough and covered in hydraulic fluid and grease are the hands of the aircraft mechanics that keep the birds in the skies above Marine Corps Air Station New River.
Without the hard work and diligent attention to detail that mechanics possess, the many missions that are carried out by squadrons such as Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 would not be possible, said Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael Keatley, VMM-263 maintenance chief.
“The VMM-263 maintenance Marines repair and maintain all systems on the MV-22B Osprey, such as airframes, engines and drive systems,” said Keatley.
Keatley added that other areas of responsibilities include navigation equipment, aircrew survival equipment and weapon systems.
“Additional tasks include but are not limited to things such as all pre-flight and post-flight inspections,” said Keatley. “Other tasks they cover include scheduled and unscheduled maintenance inspections and all other maintenance issues associated with flight-line operations.”
Keatley added, the key billets in the maintenance department are maintenance control and quality assurance, which are essentially the foundation of the maintenance department.
“In a nut-shell, we are responsible for making sure all the birds are safe for flying,” said Staff Sgt. Adam C. Ruse, maintenance controller and phase crew coordinator. “We make sure they are up to par with all of the safety standards required and are completely mission ready.”
Ruse added that when maintenance is performed on an aircraft it is inspected from nose to tail to ensure that it is good to go both inside and out.
“I thoroughly enjoy what I do,” said Cpl. Matthew C. Ferrell, VMM-263 aircraft mechanic. “We too often lose sight of our job importance in day-to-day life, not realizing that it takes everyone doing their job properly and to the best of their abilities to ensure the Marine Corps can continue performing its missions.”
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2013 09:10 |
| Story ID: | 105007 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 93 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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