AL ASAD, Iraq -- To protect lives, they devote all their energy, no matter what challenges arise.
The Bulldogs of Marine Attack Squadron 223 at Al Asad, Iraq, Oct. 23, have flown every scheduled combat mission for more than two months while simultaneously replacing five engines on their AV-8B Harriers, a feat which has required the support of every Marine in the squadron.
“We knew we had to do it,” said Gunnery Sgt. Terry Weiser, VMA-223’s power line division chief, and Erie, Penn., native. “We aren’t training, it’s all business here. We simply had to do it to support the ground troops, no question about it.”
Weiser’s mentality is shared among the Marines at VMA-223. Bulldogs from the different shops volunteered to ensure the engines were replaced and not a single mission was missed.
“If these planes aren’t in the air, people die,” said Lance Cpl. William Baker, an ordnance technician with VMA-223, and a Joliet, Ill., native. “If we aren’t working at ordnance, we are helping other shops. It’s about getting it done and the mission accomplished.”
The Bulldogs said they have grown accustomed to working for more than 12 hours a day. Most of the Marines are enjoying it and creating lifelong memories, said Baker.
“I love being out here,” said Baker. “It’s something I’ll always remember. I learn something new everyday out here. Working so many hours together, people say and do some crazy and funny things. We are always finding clever ways to amuse each other.”
Between keeping morale up and working together, each Bulldog shop has their own mission to accomplish.
“The avionics Marines maintain the Harriers’ systems, repairing anything electrical on the aircraft,” said Lance Cpl. Alexander L. Branson, an ordnance technician with VMA-223. “The airframe Marines work on the body of the Harrier, the wings and flaps. The power line Marines work on the engine. They all make it fly, the ordnance Marines make it kill.”
The ordnance Marines focus on weapons and weapon systems. They have a wide job field and it takes the determined work of every Bulldog to make sure when the pilot presses a little red button, things explode, Branson said.
“We have all gotten a lot closer,” said Weiser. “In the rear, we would change five engines in a year. Here, we have accomplished that feat in a month and a half, with an increased amount of flight hours and less people.”
Weiser said days before the Bulldogs came here they were collecting Marines from different squadrons. Now, he said it feels like they are all part of the same family and working together for long hours has created a strong bond.
“Knowing what I do saves lives is my motivation,” said Lance Cpl. William Hardy, a power line mechanic with VMA-223, and Syracuse, N.Y., native. “I originally came from a training squadron, and it’s amazing being here contributing to the big picture. The big picture to me is protecting the lives of not just Marines but everyone on the ground, including civilians, and taking the lives of the enemy.”
Besides repairing and inspecting engines, Hardy said there is always something for him to do and some way for him to help contribute to the big picture.
“Our main focus is to make sure the plane drops ordnance that explodes,” said Baker. “We save lives by dropping bombs on snipers, escorting convoys and destroying weapons caches.”
The Bulldogs’ Harriers also play a role as eyes in the sky, recording what they fly over as well as the precision bombs they drop.
“If they can, the pilots come by and show us the videos,” said Baker. “It lets us know we are all doing a good job and doing it correctly. We don’t get to see what happens outside the wire, but it feels good inside to see how all our hard work affects what happens out there.”