Marines keep eyes in the sky
Marine Corps News
Story Identification #: 20055205543
Story by Sgt. Kristin S. Jochums
CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (May 19, 2005) -- The Dragon Eye unmanned aerial vehicle system provides the Marine Corps an eye in the sky while conducting operations throughout Iraq, but the Dragon Eye system requires meticulous maintenance to remain operational. That is where the three Marines from 4th Echelon Section, Electronics Maintenance Platoon, Maintenance Detachment, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward) come into play; maintaining the Marine Corps’ guiding view from above.
The Dragon Eye was first fielded because infantry commanders sent Headquarters Marine Corps an urgent request for a smaller, but capable UAV to give them an aerial view of the battlefield, the area of responsibility or area they are about to move through. When the Dragon Eye was delivered, many considered it essential to combat operations and its use became commonplace among the front-line units, said Master Sgt. Ravi N. Sapre, maintenance chief for the section.
Due to the urgent need and quick fielding, the maintenance concept of keeping a contractor in Iraq to repair the highly used planes was not practical. In March, instead of renewing the contract with civilians, the decision was made to place responsibility for the maintenance on the Electronics Maintenance Platoon here.
The three technicians working on the Dragon Eye systems came from the 4th Echelon Repair Section, a section that Sapre, a Stella, N.C., native, created during Operation Iraqi Freedom, with a specialty of repairing the irreparable.
“With no one else to repair them, it seemed reasonable that we, the 4th Echelon Repair Section, should get involved and do what we do best: fix a problem that contracted support created,” said Sapre.
Building a repair shop from the ground up, three Marines; Sgt. Patrick W. Broughal, a Pinebrush, N.Y., native, Cpls. Harley Mason III, a Snowhill, N.C., native, and Jeremy R. Carter, a Northville, Mich., native, began the project and have exceeded all expectations.
“Because of the short amount of time they had to train with unfamiliar equipment, the remarkable part is within one week, they began producing six times more than the contractor ever did,” said Sapre. “Within 30 days of the shop standing up, all backorders were filled, and every system in Iraq was fully functional.”
“This resulted in a savings of more than 40,000 dollars a month in contracted logistics support, and put the airplanes back into the hands of the front line units where they are being used,” he continued.
The Marines were moved from their primary jobs as cryptological equipment, radio and computer printer fiber technicians, and were taught the trade of fiber glass and structural repair of bullet ridden vehicles, this includes assessing and maintaining the air worthiness of the airplanes.
The Dragon Eye was something new the team could focus their efforts on.
“We talk to each other about what we think will be the best way to do it and do a little bit of ‘guess-and-check’ until we find out what works,” said Mason, who is always looking for something exciting to do, or a new challenge to overcome. He jumped at the chance to work with new equipment and has been doing great ever since, according to Sapre.
“It takes lots of sandpaper, a lot of glue and a little bit of imagination,” said Broughal, who is able to figure out how to fix most things, from plasma screen TVs to Dragon Eyes, in a short period of time.
Other areas of repair they learned were electrical repair for the cameras, repairing video goggles that were considered throw-a-ways, and even working on the software of the control computer.
“This stuff is getting used in the field and it makes me feel like we are actually doing something for a cause,” said Carter, who, according to Sapre, has the desire to accomplish whatever mission he is given.
According to Sapre, they work well together. “Their workspace is unique because they built it, which gives them a sense of ownership,” he said. “Capps, and I stay out of their hair as much as possible and allow them to work in their own way.”
“I was put in charge to make sure they epoxy the planes, not each other,” joked Sgt. Chris Capps, section head for the Dragon Eyes, and a Brentwood, N.Y., native. “But seriously though, they are true professionals and awesome at their job.”
“If you walk out there right now, you’ll hear the music blasting long before you get to their door,” laughed Sapre. “Whatever the chemistry is, they certainly possess it. Their work speaks for itself.”
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