Jim Spiri in Iraq

So, as Jerry Jeff Walker wrote the additional stanza, so I must include the crux of what keeps the OH-58's flying above. Thanks to SFC Glasco's communication with me, I decided to do a follow-up, about the "maintainers" of the Thugs. I apologize, and can only say that once again, "I've missed the forest through the trees".

So many of us see the aircraft flying. But how many know what it takes to keep them in the air? In years past, I worked extensively in the tour helicopter business in Hawaii. I remember that flying is actually the small part, but the part that everyone sees and remembers. But what the people don't see and don't realize, is that in order to keep one aircraft in the sky an immense amount of manpower and superb coordination is required on the maintenance and logistical side of the house to make that happen.

I made my way back over to FOB Diamondback yesterday and located SFC Bruce Glasco, a thirty-six-year-old, 18-year veteran in the Army. His job has always been to work on helicopters. He is originally from a small, rural town in Southern Illinois, and at 18, left that life and joined the Army. He has never looked back, and is highly proficient in what he does.
When we met face to face, there was a grin on his face as well as mine. I broke the ice and said, "you were right, Sgt. I left out the maintainer's side of the house. I'm here to fix that." This is the fun part of this adventure, going right back and following up. After our initial introduction to one another, I followed SFC Glasco from place to place as he explained to me the many facets of what goes on behind the scenes to keep the "Thugs" up in the air.

He introduced me first, to two of his "rubber meeting the road" wrench turners. Spc's Ross and Presley, both on their first tour of duty in Iraq. Ross is 21, from Ada, Oklahoma, and Presley is 24, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I interviewed them together on audio and learned that these two men joined the Army and entered a field that was unknown to them. Ross, who joined at age 17, told me that his mother had to sign to let him enlist, and she did so only if he would take the job he has now. Presley and the recruiter decided upon this particular MOS, and he has since found that this is truly his cup of tea. Both told me how they are considering making the Army a career, but at this time, the jury is still out on that. Both tell me that the job here is a 24/7 event and that working on the aircraft presents a great opportunity to be a part of the mission that supports not only their pilots, but the troops on the ground that so depend on the pilots above them. They had come in on their time off just to speak with me. They wanted to get their point across that they love what they do.

I was next introduced to a Cpl. Justin Crowley, originally from Turtlepoint, Pennsylvania. He is 22-years-old, and is studying hard to become a Sgt. in the near future. SFC Glasco told me how Crowley is a team leader and together with Spc. Ross and Presley, they coordinate at every juncture to attack whatever comes up with any of the aircraft at any time.
Crowley told me emphatically that he loves it when the flight line is busy, and when there are all kinds of challenges that await him on a daily basis. "I thrive on the days that are just really busy. It gives me chance to exercise all the skills I've learned in this field and to make it all come together", he told me with an enthusiasm that is unmatched. Cpl. Crowley too, tells me he loves his job. He spoke much about the mission at hand and that what he and his teammates do is take to heart in reality supporting their aircraft which, in-turn, supports his fellow soldiers on the ground. They like the days busy, it makes time fly by, he told me.

Crowley, Ross and Presley told me that one of the biggest hazards they face daily is just going out to work on the birds. In 125-degree temperatures, just touching the airframe of the birds can give you a third degree burn, if you're not wearing your gloves.

In the heat, working on aircraft, one must stay hydrated as well. Being that the operations here are 24/7, there are three crews, broke down to 8-9 hour shifts. Coverage on the maintenance side of the house is a never-ending challenge, one that must and is met at all times by the crews of the Thugs.

Later, SFC Glasco took me to see another side of what goes on. We went to another "shack" where there were a myriad of folks all working. It was here that I saw the "brain-child" of just how all the aircraft are tracked and just what goes on in the constant coordinating of 40 or so aircraft spread out at various locations in this part of Iraq. I spoke at length with a W-4 who, in detail, showed me how he and his crew must know the inner workings of every aircraft in his sector of responsibility. Time and time again, we discussed how this aircraft has that many hours left for this maintenance update or that part change out. In speaking with him at length, it was clear to me that everyone in his shop is highly informed on where each aircraft is and not only what it needs at the moment, but it will need in the days ahead, as far as preventative maintenance goes. As I was speaking to him and his teammates, I recollected on my past experiences in the tour helicopter business and how I understood what it takes to handle and maintain aircraft. I was totally impressed with what is involved in the daily grind of keeping over three dozen helicopters flying in support of the mission. I realized that SFC Glasco, was indeed right when he informed me that I had left out the unseen missing component. I was glad I had followed up.

As we exited the shack, completely amazed at the amount of work I had seen in what it takes to keep things going, SFC Glasco introduced me to a civilian contractor that works hand in hand on the maintenance side in support of the mission. The civilian works for a company called L-3, and he is prior service. Now at this point, I want to stress something emphatically. I was for the first time, impressed with a civilian contractor. I've seen them all around this war zone for over the past three years.

This one was different. He was not a member of the "Kicked Back and Relaxed" folks (KBR). He was not all dressed up in baggy jeans or a football jersey, nor did he speak like EMINEM. This civilian was part of the team. He was a part of the mission, and the working relationship between this unit and this civilian contractor was spot on. I was very happy to see this and finally realize that there are proper working relationships between the military and civilians that I can honestly say works. Again, I was glad that SFC Glasco had invited me back to see the trees I had missed through the forest.

As we ended our time together, SFC Glasco and I talked at length about the mission and his crews. We talked about in years past how he misses working on Cobra helicopters, but loves the 58 too. He told me how he considers these "wrench turners" he works with as his own prodigy. He gives them the latitude to make decisions and is constantly surprised at how the young Spc.'s and Cpl.'s come up with innovative ideas that make an already good support mission even that much better. "I'm constantly wanting to teach them, and they, in-turn, teach me", Glasco told me. We talked some about a recent loss among them. He showed me the "Ace 41" patch on his right shoulder, just below the American flag patch he wears every day. He explained to me how when one aircraft went down recently, how the crews took it and overcame the loss. "All my men wanted to work through it. They (we) just felt that the best way to go on, was to never forget and to press on even more diligently for the rest of their fellow comrades in arms, whether in the air or on the ground. These men are all warriors.

As I was leaving, I thought back to one moment when SFC Glasco and I were on the flight line watching two of his birds prepare for departure. He watches them always as they leave. I could read his mind and know what he was thinking. He watches every one. This is his flight line. These are his birds. But they belong to all of us, who love freedom. I am glad SFC Bruce Glasco took the time to email me. Had he not, I would have left out the hidden part of the big picture. My son, who is a helicopter pilot, was a helicopter mechanic first. He still tells me to this day how much he loved that job.

Next time I walk in the forest, I will try not to miss the trees.

Jim Spiri
FOB Marez, Mosul-Iraq
jimspiri@yahoo.com