Mechanics ratchet hawks into sky

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt | 1st Sgt. Javier Cruz, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Avn. Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad from Mexico City, picks up a mallet from the company's set of new tools they use to maintain Black Hawk helicopters on Camp Taji, Aug. 14, 2008. The brigade spent more than $2 million upgrading the tools and storage systems before deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

TAJI, IRAQ

08.20.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt 

1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade

By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt
Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Black Hawk helicopter mechanics from the Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, are making a big difference in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with a lot of sweat and the turn of a wrench.

As long, hot days turn into humid nights, the unsung heroes of aviation continue to keep the rotors turning and the mission going as they ratchet the 'hawks' into the sky.

"The pilots fly the mission, but we make it so they can fly," said Spc. Jason Farrington, helicopter mechanic, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 4th Avn. Regiment. "I think we have one of the most important roles in the MND-B mission."

The mission of the Darkrider Company is simple: maintain and repair the Black Hawks. Staffed with mechanics, avionic specialists, electricians and engine gurus, the company performs unit level maintenance and repairs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition, the company launches a team of specialists from the shop to the flight line every time a bird prepares to fly to ensure it makes its mission time. While pilots and crew chiefs perform pre-flight inspections, mechanics and avionic specialists are on hand to ensure everything is okay.

"What we do is different," said 1st Sgt. Javier Cruz, the senior enlisted Soldier in the company, who hails from Mexico City. "The goal of our company is to meet the crew's take-off time and complete the mission.

"We launch a team that is parked near the aircraft, and they are on station so they can react to any maintenance issues they might encounter. This is a unique concept we do here, and it actually works very well.

"The beauty is it expedites the maintenance process, so the [maintenance] crew can either fix the problems or they can simply have the flight crew switch to a spare aircraft."

In addition to making the mission, safety and maintenance are a top priority in aviation operations. Before deploying to Iraq, the brigade invested more than $2 million in new tools and storage units for the maintenance companies throughout the brigade.

"We have everything we need to do maintenance and repairs," Cruz said. "With this new system, there is no longer the 'go look for that tool.' Before, we had stuff everywhere. Now, we have an inventory list, which tells you exactly where to find each tool.

"The new Vidmar storage units that were provided by the brigade are much easier to use because they can store and track parts much easier."

Although the new tools and storage units make the mechanics job easier, Soldiers throughout the company still have one goal regardless of what tool they are using or where they put it – ratchet the 'hawks into the sky.

"I love working on Black Hawks," boasted Farrington as he sat on top of the helicopter with a smile. "It's a great feeling working on them and you get rewarded every time you see them take off."

• Date Taken: 08.20.2008
• Date Posted: 08.20.2008 09:32
• Story ID: 22685
• Location: TAJI, IQ