Warhorse's airframes division goes nonstop Airframes division keeps Stallions flying
USMC News
Story Identification Number: 2003321183954
Story by Staff Sgt M.T. Mink
ABOARD USS BOXER(March 20, 2003) -- ABOARD THE USS BOXER - If you've ever heard the phrase, "If you break it, you buy it," Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 airframes Marines have amended that motto to - "You break it, we'll fix it."
"These Marines can perform a variety of jobs - from fixing hydraulic components to repairing a hole in sponsor," Gunnery Sgt Mike P. Borzekofski, airframes division chief, airframes division, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Since the crew has been underway, the division has performed more than 1,700 repairs.
"They include repairs and corrosion prevention maintenance," Borzekofski, a 19-year-veteran, added. "Believe it or not, the salt water does more corrosion than the sand; we are doing everything we can to prevent corrosion. Preventive maintenance is the key for us to be able to sustain for long periods of time."
According to Sgt. Joel E. Diehl, 25, from California, hazardous material and corrosion control chief, one concern is the blades. "Polyerethane blade tape is used on the face of the blade to help prevent corrosion from the sand," he added.
As the blade slices through the wind and sand, the tape takes the initial hits, reducing the corrosion of the actual blade. Diehl spent more than 30 days in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and knows first hand how much damage the sand can do to the blades.
Borzekofski attributes success to a myriad of reasons.
"Navy support aboard the ship, from equipment to assets, has been exceptional and that helps us a lot," he said. "We are also working 12 on and 12 off, so whatever job is not finished during the day is immediately picked up and worked on in the evening shift."
And finally, "Staff NCO leadership," he said, giving credit to his staff noncommissioned officers. "I give them a task and they make sure that it gets done."
The success the unit has enjoyed is also helped by the fact that the airframes division is fully staffed with a few extra Marines on board for this deployment, he added. Which, for many of the Marines in airframes division is their first.
"(Though) for some this is their first deployment, a lack of knowledge in some areas does not slow this crew down," Borzekofski said. "What some lack in experience is more than made up for with their spirit and drive; they work very hard."
Because this was not a normal deployment, the staff NCOs had more to tangle with before getting underway.
Magcale found himself helping the Marines more before the deployment, than when underway.
"There was a lot to take care of," said Staff Sgt. Marvin M. Magcale, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, airframes division, HMH-465, 3rd MAW.
"We not only had to get them ready, but had to balance that with the mission of the command." the California native added.
Magcale knows from experience what it takes to get ready. He has been on five deployments - two with HMH-465 - in the 11 years he has been in the Marine Corps.
According to Magcale, the unit had to make sure that wives, apartments, housing, storage, tmo -- everything that is normally done during the workups was done at a much more rapid pace.
Even when work can't be performed, Magcale keeps the airframes Marine busy.
"When the aircraft are flying and can not be worked on, I have them busy reading manuals and publications," he said.
I task NCOs to take care of the Marines and make sure that they are busy, whatever can not be handled at their level is then brought up to me.
"They know this is more than just a regular deployment," Magcale said about his Marines. "They will wait for as long as it takes to complete the mission."
Although the airframes division Marines work long hours maintaining the aircraft, they have not forgotten why they are here.
"I'm not really scared, but I know that my family is scared for me," Talladega, Ala., native Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Price, 20, airframe mechanic, airframes division, HMH-465, 3rd MAW. "I am pretty confident in us," he said referring to the service members deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
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