Mechanics by day, gunners by night

by Lance Cpl. Bryan Eberly

Mechanics with Regimental Combat Team 5 break their knuckles and man their machine guns to keep Marines moving forward.

Lance Cpl. Julio C. Martinez, 21, of Lindsey, Calif., removes the bolts of a hydraulic pump in order to replace it with a new one. Martinez, like all the Marine mechanics in his shop, spend up to 16 hours everyday repairing the regiment's battle-worn vehicles. At the same time, these Marines are always on call to provide security and on-the-spot mechanical care for the regiment's transport convoys. (photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Eberly)

Marine mechanics with Headquarters Company, RCT-5 spend 16 hours every day fixing battle-worn vehicles. At night, they trade rifles for wrenches to provide security for the regiment's convoys.

"We are here to support the regiment, and keep them rolling," said Sgt. Paul J. Buerhle, the 22-year-old shop chief from St. Louis.

There are 10 Marines in Buerhle's shop, and they all work together to fix the many different problems the regiment brings them.

"We start work every morning at 8 o'clock," said Sgt. Steve A. Lee, a 22-year-old supply clerk and mechanic from Sanford, Fla. "Throughout the day we'll see overheated radiators, broken ball joints of seven-tons, and humvees with brake issues. There's nothing these Marines can't fix."

The mechanics also handle the overflow of other companies, said Sgt. Hugo Roman, a 24-year-old shop chief from Houston.

"If they can't handle all their work, they'll send some of it to us," he said.

Problems are usually everyday wear-and-tears which can be sent out as quickly as they're sent in, but sometimes the shop deals with the effects of improvised explosive devices.

"We once got a truck in here that was rear-ended by a vehicle-borne IED," said Cpl. Antonio Mendoza, a 20-year-old quality-control mechanic from Los Angeles. "Its frame was bent and the windows and rear hatch were busted.

"But we're proud to help our Marines," he added, "And we'll do anything to keep them rolling."

Mechanics not only help the regiment by fixing the vehicles, they also man machine-gun turrets to provide security for the regiment's transport convoys.

"All the mechanics are ready to man their guns," Roman said. "We'll work all day fixing trucks, go out on a convoy and then come right back to work. These Marines are the worker-bees of the Corps."

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