Crew Chiefs 'Paint pictures' for pilots

Photo By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry | Army Spc. Zachary Butler, a C Company, 3rd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment helicopter crew chief, inspects a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter tail rotor as part of his pre-flight inspection on Friday, May 14. Butler, from Canadian, Texas, has more than 280 flight hours while in Iraq on his first deployment, and has more than 400 total flight hours. Company C deployed to Iraq in December as part of Task Force Storm in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ

05.19.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry 

Task Force 38

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- From daily maintenance to helping pilots during flights, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew chiefs pretty much did everything but pilot the aircraft.

"They're the third and fourth set of eyes and ears," said Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marco Mansueto, a C Company, 3rd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment UH-60 pilot from Greenville, N.Y. "They may spot things that we don't spot."

Army Spc. Tim Matthews, a C Company crew chief agreed.

"We're kind of the eyes and ears of the back of the aircraft to make sure we're painting a picture for the pilots," said Matthews of Seattle.

He said during flights crew chiefs also made sure passengers and cargo were secure.

Aside from protecting people and payload, crew chiefs conducted in-flight checks to maintain items such as fuel level, electronics systems and mechanical systems, according to Matthews.

"There are a million things to look for," said Matthews. "You have to know all the systems really well so that you can know where the problem might be coming from or where it might be going."

He said he always looked and listened for problems that might have arisen.

"The whole flying part of it, there's so much that goes into it," said Matthews. "We have to troubleshoot in the air or when we set down somewhere."

Matthews, who has flown 380 combat hours during the first six months of his first deployment, noted the benefits and the demands while flying throughout Iraq.

"You get to go to a lot of different places, and you look forward to someplace new because of the different challenges that that might entail," said Matthews, who has been in the Army for 2.5 years.

Those challenges referred to buildings or military vehicles that might be near a landing zone, and there was always concern for blade and tail clearances while landing or taking off according Matthews.

"The whole crew is working together to the get the aircraft in and safely back up," he said. "As crew chiefs we can help put the tires on a specific point."

As a pilot, Mansueto said the crew chiefs eased the pilots' flying burden and credited the crew chiefs' experience.

"They make my job a lot easier," he said of crew chiefs, who were on the lookout for obstacles like trees, towers, buildings and other aircraft. "Most of the crew chiefs have been around longer than the pilots, so crew chiefs keep pilots from messing up."

First-time deployer, Mansueto, a 7-year Army veteran and former turbine engine mechanic, has been flying for two years. He had 200 combat flight hours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 380 total flight hours within the first six months of his deployment.

Another C Company crew chief and first-time deployer, Army Spc. Zachary Butler, agreed with his fellow Soldiers that crew chiefs helped the pilots.

"As far as crew chiefs go, our presence is needed to provide clearance for the aircraft. We guide the pilots," said Butler of Canadian, Texas.

Butler, who has been in the Army nearly three years, had 280 combat flight hours and 400 total flight hours within the first six months of his deployment.

"You learn to constantly scan as far left and as far right and up and down as you can. So that way everybody knows and has constant awareness of our flight path," said Butler.

While the crew chiefs checked and guided the aircraft, secured passengers and payload during flights, they also maintained the aircraft before and after flights.

"They really work hard. Their day starts before ours and ends after ours," said Mansueto of the crew chiefs.

Those long days paid dividends as the crew chiefs turned the wrenches and inspected the aircraft to keep the helicopters flight ready.

"We are the only people keeping the helicopter running on a day-to-day basis," said Matthews.

According to Butler, crew chiefs checked for corrosion, broken parts, missing pieces and adjusted torque on nuts and bolts.

"Maintenance is always happening. That's our job," said Butler.

Whether they maintained the helicopters or guided the pilots, the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew chiefs did it all.

• Date Taken: 05.19.2010
• Date Posted: 05.19.2010 05:07
• Story ID: 49924
• Location: JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ