Photo By Sgt. Justis Beauregard | Cpl. David Mueller, a plane captain for Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIR FIELD , Afghanistan – Marines in Afghanistan rely on Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352/152, "Trash," to carry heavy loads and passengers over long distances with ease – one essential part of this mission is the work crew chiefs put into getting everyone and everything up and down safely.
KC-130 "Hercules" crew chiefs have a wealth of knowledge about their aircraft," that they use to ensure people and mission-essential cargo arrives when they're needed.
Crew chiefs don't get to this point overnight. After their military occupational school, they arrive at their squadrons as crew chief trainees, put in many hours and spend an average of eight months learning to become basic crew chiefs. A basic crew chief is able to work on aircraft with the supervision of a plane captain, which is a higher crew chief billet. The plain captain is held to a higher standard and is considered an expert on the aircraft.
"I may not know everything about the aircraft, but what I don't know I can find the answer to quickly," said Cpl. Nicolas M. Peters, a plane captain for Trash, while holding one of the many thick manuals for the aircraft.
The KC-130 Hercules pilots rely on the crew chiefs during the flight to be a second pair of eyes and to answer any questions about this complex aircraft. This responsibility is more important than many young Marines have.
"The crew chiefs have a great deal of experience and knowledge," said Capt. Tim Greenler, an aircraft commander with Trash. "We look to them for information on the aircraft to execute the mission."
Another major part of the crew chief mission is to make sure the aircraft is safe from enemy fire.
While the Hercules crew chiefs don't man large caliber machine guns like their rotary wing brethren, they are essential in spotting and relaying to the pilots small-arms fire and rockets that could bring the aircraft down. Once the crew chief informs the pilots of possible enemy fire, they can perform evasive maneuvers to quickly escape the threat.
The Marines are also responsible for ensuring the aircraft is safe to fly, troubleshooting the aircraft, maintenance while in the air and helping with aerial refueling.
The crew chiefs with Trash ensure valuable cargo makes it to its destination with their knowledge of the large and complex KC-130 Hercules, saving Marines on the ground from taking the cargo to its destination on a long and dangerous convoy.
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2010 08:10 |
| Story ID: | 50293 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 395 |
| Downloads: | 190 |
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