Courtesy Photo | Spc. Daryl Ferguson, Company B, 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry...... read more read more
By Pfc. David Castro
615th Aviation Support Battalion
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – For most aircraft maintainers, a tour in Iraq involves the use of tools and a lot of elbow grease.
For one Soldier from Company B, 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, accomplishing the mission involved using some skills and tools he thought he would never use again.
Plano, Texas, native Spc. Daryl Ferguson, Company B, 615th ASB, used skills from his civilian life to accomplish vital missions for his unit that were outside of his military occupational specialty.
Ferguson, who grew up in The Colony, Texas, has repaired engines since he joined the Army just over two years ago.
Before joining the Army, he gained some welding work experience. That experience came in handy when his unit needed some welding done while its only welder was on leave.
Ferguson's skills were put to use welding aircraft nozzles and in constructing a shelter for maintainers to use while working on aircraft in the heat of the day. The shelter keeps the maintenance crews out of the sun.
While Ferguson downplayed the significance of what he had accomplished, his supervisors recommended him for recognition from 1st ACB commander Col. Dan Shanahan.
"My (non-commissioned officer) thought I did a good job stepping out of my MOS to get the mission completed," Ferguson said.
Ferguson's efforts not only made life a little more comfortable for his fellow engine repairermen, but also saved the Army money on parts, according to Staff Sgt. Jimmy Stewart, from San Antonio, Texas, who supervises the power train shop for Co. B, 615th ASB.
"He saw a need and stepped forward and built this shelter," Stewart said. "He worked on this shelter until it was completed while his peers continued to work in their MOS field. He completed numerous 'for-aircraft' parts, which saved the Army on parts and dollars.
"He never said no to any task that was offered before him. His 'can-do' attitude presented opportunities to excel, and he is happy to work both in and out of his MOS."
The aircraft repairer accomplished the mission using familiar tools, life skills, elbow grease ... and a little ingenuity.
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2007 10:23 |
| Story ID: | 12440 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 746 |
| Downloads: | 712 |
This work, Soldier earns kudos for working outside job specialty, by PFC David Castro, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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