One build-up at a time
The first week of hectic maintenance brought with it a good introduction to fixing planes in the humid conditions coupled with the lack of logistical support. I felt as if we were better equipped in the remote wasteland of Afghanistan than we are in Okinawa, at an air station that has had helicopters for decades. The simple explanation is — the base was not ready for us: no hangar, scavenging support equipment, and almost everyone spending the entire day outside. I would be tempted to say I’d choose Afghanistan any day over this, as far as working conditions went.
We went ahead anyway and charged headfirst into rebuilding the first helicopter after it stood ‘broken down’ after C-5 transport.
Note the rolled up sleeves, everybody is trying to get their tan on
Disorganized disarray of a mess
Our neighbors on the flight line to the north; CH-46’s (HMM-262 “Flying Tigers”) and C-130’s (VMGR-152 “Sumos”)
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