Boxer Sailors Help Marines Prepare for OIF

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	040108-N-8977L-007 Atlantic Ocean (Jan. 8, 2004) – Airman Holly Wagoner walks cautiously beside a U.S. Maine CH-53 Sea Stallion while the aircraft is being towed to its designated spot on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Boxer departed for the Arabian Gulf on Jan. 14, 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation of forces, after returning from a regularly scheduled deployment in August 2003. The multi-purpose amphibious assault ship and its more than 900 Sailors and 200 Marines are transporting equipment and aviation assets for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (1st MEF) from Camp Pendleton, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Johansen Laurel. (RELEASED)

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Boxer Sailors Help Marines Prepare for OIF
Story Number: NNS040223-04
Release Date: 2/23/2004 11:40:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class Karen M. Golembieski, USS Boxer Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- The spirit of cooperation between services is alive and well aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4). During the month-long transit to the Persian Gulf in support of the Operation Iraqi Freedom II force rotation, embarked Marines have been preparing their helicopters for use in Iraq. Whenever these Marines have needed aircraft parts or engines repaired or replaced, Boxer Sailors were on the front lines to assist Marines in making required repairs.

“The Marines were shorthanded with aircraft maintainers,” said Staff Sgt. Toby Ortiz, a dynamic components helicopter mechanic from Sandia, Texas. “When it came down to replacing engines, the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department’s (AIMD) IM2 division helped out and did a lot of the work. They did a good job.”

Not only did Boxer Sailors assist with the repairs, but workspace, parts and tools were also provided to the Marines.

“We have been fixing broken parts on their aircraft,” said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician (AW) John Smith, of Wakefield, Mich. “They are troubleshooting and finding broken components. We have been ordering new components and supplies and sending out the bad components to be repaired. We’ve also been doing metal work on the aircraft. Basically, we’re helping them keep the aircraft up so they can fly longer.”

“We’ve given them engines and have provided them with assistance with operators for the bridge crane to change motors on the CH-53s,” added Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AW) Bo D. Tubbs, 32, of Quinlan, Texas, who works in IM3 division. “Our mission at AIMD is nothing more than support for embarked aircraft--whether it be two aircraft or 200--we keep the same level of dedication towards that as we would making sure they have berthing or work stations. That is our sole purpose.”

Boxer left San Diego Jan. 14, carrying more than 200 Marines and 900 Sailors, as well as 16 CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 466, two CH-46D Sea Knight helicopters from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HCS) 11, and various land vehicles and equipment.

For related news, visit the USS Boxer (LHD 4) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd4.

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