Posted on 04/22/2003 11:31:59 PM PDT by Radix
Gen. Tommy Franks, CentCom commander-in-chief, addresses the Soldiers of 1st Brigade, (Bastogone), 101st Airborne Division, (Air Assault), with encouraging words, after handing out Bronze Stars to two NCOs. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Hutcheson.
3/187 Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division convoy through the desert near Desert Camp New Jersey March 10, 2003. This convoy is in support of Operation Enduring Feedom. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class William A. Jones)
Staff Sgt. Ambry of 1-41 Infantry, 1st Armored Division, ready to move out with security convoy of V Corps Assault CP at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, March 12, 2003. The Division is currently deployed as a part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Igor Paustovski)
Sgt. Shevette C Co 1-41 Infantry, 1st Armored Division, loads live amunition for his M16 before moving to forward position on March 12, 2003. The Division is currently deployed as a part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Igor Paustovski)
Gosh, I miss him already! LOL!
Soldiers of 86th Signal Bn install microwave antenna for long range communication at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, March 12, 2003. The Division is currently deployed as a part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Igor Paustovski)
C co 1-41 Infantry, 1st Armored Division, Bradley Fighting Vehicle return back to position after completion of maneuvers during tactical movement exercise at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, March 12, 2003. The Division is currently deployed as a part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Igor Paustovski)
Staff Sgt. Martin C co 1-41 Infantry, 1st Armored Division, controls Bradley tanks movement during tactical movement exercise at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, March 12, 2003. The Division is currently deployed as a part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Igor Paustovski)
Sgt. Shevette C Co 1-41 Infantry, 1st Armored Division, drives his Bradley tank during tactical movement exercise at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, March 12, 2003. The Division is currently deployed as a part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Igor Paustovski)
Sergeant Jeremy C. Romash, CH-53E mechanic, and his Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 work on an engine from a CH-53E Super Stallion April 7. It is because of their constant hard work that HMH-464 has been able to fly almost 50 percent of the missions, supporting forward troops. Photo by: Cpl. Theresa E. Seng
No rest for weary 'Condors'
Submitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification Number: 20034221577
Story by Cpl. Theresa E. Seng
JALIBAH, Iraq(April 6, 2003) -- There is no rest for the weary aboard here while the mechanics for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 serving as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom keep their CH-53E Super Stallions flying.
With a higher operational tempo than it is back in the United States, the mechanics work in 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, in 100-degree temperatures.
The more hours aircraft fly the quicker the inspection intervals come up, said Sgt. Jeremy C. Romash, Super Stallion mechanic with HMH-464 "Condors." The mechanics are constantly checking all the parts to make sure there are no problems.
The mechanics are frequently inspecting engines, rotor blades and gearboxes, and one of the biggest challenges here in the desert is keeping the compressor sections of the engines working well, said 1st Lt. Andrew T. Paynter, maintenance material control officer for the "Condors."
"It's a suck, squeeze, bang, blow theory with the engines," said Romash.
The compressor pulls air into the engine. This fuel/air mixture combusts and gives the helicopter the power to lift heavy equipment. Sand is also drawn into the engine, abrasion to engine parts becomes a concern. Components worn by sand affect the airflow causing less power.
"Without full power, transporting large pieces of equipment, such as all the tents we're living in, either wouldn't happen or take much longer than necessary," said Paynter.
HMH-464 Marines have replaced seven of the 39 engines they have, which is one more testament to the outstanding maintenance completed on a consistent basis.
"Because of our mechanics, [HMH-]464 had been able to fly about 50 percent of the missions out here," said Paynter "Out here the aircraft flies on average 24hours a day. In the rear they only flew about 10. Our guys are constantly working."
Working long days in the harsh conditions of the desert is tough, having the correct parts is even tougher.
"[Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-29] could only bring so many parts for all the aircraft they support. Sometimes we have to cannibalize parts just to keep the aircraft mission ready," said Paynter. "This triples our work load. Once we get the part we ordered we have to remove the borrowed part, put it back in the aircraft we took it from and put the new part in the other aircraft."
Being able to support the forward units, such as infantry and artillery, with food, water, ammunition, parts and fuel is the main objective of the Super Stallion squadrons. The mechanics of HMH-464 work day and night so the helicopters are able to carry heavy loads, giving the best support they can.
"We are helping our guys stay in the fight," said Paynter. "That's the most important thing."
Scores of Marines line up outside the makeshift postexchange to enjoy cookies, candy and cold juice while they wait for their turn to buy goods brought out from USS Saipan courtesy of the Supply Division April 9. Photo by: Cpl Theresa E. Seng
The Supply Division from USS Saipan brought out six triwalls of goods for Marines to buy April 9. Photo by: Cpl. Theresa E. Seng
Marines got a chance to buy goods such as soap, green t-shirts and tobacco products from a makeshift post exchange courtesy of USS Saipan's Supply Division April 9. Photo by: Cpl. Theresa E. Seng
From war ship to War Eagles, ship store resupplies Marines
Submitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
JALIBAH, Iraq(April 10, 2003) -- The Marines and Sailors of Marine Aircraft Group 29 here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom received a treat when Sailors from the Supply Division aboard USS Saipan brought out items from the ship's store off the blue waters of the Persian Gulf and set up shop in the scorching sands April 9.
Lieutenant Col. Darrell L. Thacker, MAG-29 executive officer and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Bryant W. Knox, assistant supply officer aboard Saipan, and many others involved, coordinated the effort to bring out merchandise for Marines and corpsmen to purchase as well as Morale, Welfare and Recreation goods to hand out.
Three weeks after MAG-29 hit the dirt, thanks to the efforts of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, who transported 3,000 pounds of cargo, some of the merchandise available were essential items to Marines when in the field, such as toiletries, socks and green t-shirts. Some of the goodies from MWR were $40,000 worth of cookies, ice-cold juice and candy.
Inside the briefing tent, which doubled as a makeshift exchange, for one day scores of Marines lined up to receive their goodies and buy their hygiene items.
"This is awesome," said Lance Cpl. Donald P. Ferguson, ordnance technician with HMH-464, as he chomped on his cookies. "I've been waiting for a chance to get some stuff for awhile now. They came just in time too. We have nothing out here and we're even running out of that."
Sailors of the Supply Division were veterans once they reached Jalibah, after they visited two other camps and received just as an outstanding welcome here as before.
The importance of bring the store to the Marines is two-fold, said Thacker, it allows a few Navy personnel to see what our life is like and have a better understanding what Marines do in the field, and it let's the Marines learn a better appreciation for how much the Navy supports us.
"Our life is good on ship by comparison," said Knox. "It's the least we could do and a really good feeling to know you're really helping out one of our sister services."
Knox even set some MWR goods aside to be sure Marines who were still working had a chance to get juice and candy.
This is a great morale booster, Ferguson said. Morale's been pretty good out here because the Marines are doing their jobs well and helping to win the war, but the post exchange was just one more thing to help out.
The Marines and Sailors who needed some items were glad to have the chance to restock their sea bags.
"We are very grateful that the ship's personnel thought about us and cared enough about the blue-green team to bring their store to us," said Thacker.
It's important to Knox and the rest of the sailors who work for him to strengthen the blue-green team any way they can.
"The Marines are so happy that we brought stuff out to them in the field," said Knox. "Everyone out here is working hard to give the ship support and protect us. The least we could do was our part to support them the best we can."
Pancakes are good.
Anybody watched the movie "pi"? I did - strange but very interesting.
From Correspondent Laurin Sydney
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Leave it to the creator of "Pi," the
story of a troubled genius obsessed with discovering
patterns in numbers, to come up with an ingenious way to
raise the numbers (that is, money) to finance his film.
Darren Aronofsky, a Brooklyn native who attended Harvard,
needed $60,000 to make his independent sci-fi thriller with
the numeric title. So he cut a deal with family, friends,
and anyone else who wanted to play a part in the venture.
"The idea was to go to everyone we knew -- friends, family,
enemies, everyone -- ask them for $100 each with a promise
that if the movie didn't make money, they'd get $150 back," Aronofsky says.
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