Photo By Lance Cpl. Josue Aguirre | Cpl. Zachary Vincent, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 airframes mechanic and...... read more read more
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YUMA, Ariz. - Station Harrier squadrons can't take their aircraft to a body shop for repair; however, they do have highly-trained airframe mechanics to repair and maintain their multimillion dollar jets.
As a crucial part of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13, these mechanics keep the AV-8Bs ready. To name a few, these Marines maintain the aircrafts' vital panels, hydraulic systems, landing gear, windscreens and other structural components.
"MALS [airframe sections] directly supports all types of squadrons," said Cpl. Kevin Tesch, MALS-13 airframes mechanic and 26-year-old Detroit, Mich., native. "Whether it be in the rear here or forward deployed, we make sure aircraft are 100 percent mission capable by fixing and/or fabricating any structural parts of the aircraft."
Separated into sections, the airframes component here takes care of welding, threading, patching, drilling, riveting, filing and sanding pieces that make up, but not limited to, aircraft. They even shoot an electronic current through metals to check for cracks, while also inspecting any blades, bolts, slings and nozzles on the engine.
Mechanics are also responsible for maintaining the paint on the jets, which is frequently exposed to degrading elements, jet blast and various fluids during flight and testing.
They recently restored aircraft in the air park near the station's main gate, according to Tesch, and also maintain anything and everything involving hydraulics on the jet.
The airframes section is also responsible for fabricating the structural parts on aircraft or for pretty much anything. It could be something as simple as a latch for a toolbox, to the rivets on the underbelly of a jet. It's no surprise they receive labor from other installations.
"We get work from everywhere," said Tesch. "We just did work for a squadron up in Twentynine
Palms. We get pretty much anything that another base can't handle."
With Marine Corps aviation so important, these mechanics have their work cut out for them.
"A good 90 percent of the work that goes into a jet comes from airframes," said Tesch. "Without airframes, there is no jet, literally."
Editor's note: "The anatomy of aviation logistics support" is a series of articles that will cover the different jobs Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 performs which helps other squadrons function seamlessly. The article in this issue of the Desert Warrior will be the last of the series and cover MALS-13 airframe mechanics.
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2011 14:28 |
| Story ID: | 77696 |
| Location: | YUMA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 93 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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