Posted on 05/03/2007 12:50:48 AM PDT by quietolong
Metal Shop works to protect brothers
April 22, 2007; Submitted on: 04/27/2007 05:31:39 AM ;
Story ID#: 200742753139
By Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Griffith, 2nd Marine Logistics Group
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 22, 2007) -- Sparks fly as the flame from a blow torch slices through the material with ease. It’s not obvious yet, but this sheet of metal will soon be used to stop bullets and shrapnel from injuring or killing coalition forces.
Marines at the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), save the lives of their brothers-in-arms in a different way than most.
These Marines come up with innovative new ways to protect other Marines by using the equipment and materials only they have.
“We make anything out of metal,” said Cpl. Adam S. Achterberg, a machinist and Wausau, Wis., native with the shop, pointing to a hand-crafted component on a nearby air compressor.
“We’re the MacGyver for metal,” he said referring to the television show of the same name. Except they deal with more than just paperclips.
"We can fabricate and repair just about anything that has to do with metal," said Sgt. Carlos A. Lemus, the shop’s noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "Anything from a little crack to up-armoring vehicles."
Personnel in the area come to these Marines with their requests for specially designed fabrications they need in a hurry.
“To modify a piece of gear to best suit the purpose, you can’t wait for someone to manufacture it,” said Lemus. “It would take so long to get made and mailed from a manufacturer, when we can do it in a matter of days.”
The Metal Shop has both machinists and welders working together to meet the needs of Regimental Combat Team 6 and Marines throughout the Fallujah area.
"Even though we're two different (military occupational specialties), we basically go hand-in-hand," said Lemus, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native. "Our mission here is to provide and fabricate whatever is needed to assist the mission of RCT-6.”
Although not every Marine goes on combat missions or participates in operations, Cpl. Rogelio R. Quintero, a welder with the shop, said they are all just as important.
“Every MOS makes a difference out here. They’re all necessary,” said the Calexico, Calif., native.
Quintero said although he doesn’t leave Fallujah, his job is a very gratifying one.
“It feels pretty good to know you’re helping,” he said. “(Marines) come in and ask for things and two days later come in to thank you personally, because they got hit and what you did saved them.”
Some of the recent projects the shop has taken up include brainstorming ideas for machine gun turrets and other modifications on existing gear. One such product is a more enclosed turret, which makes use of ballistic glass to stop sniper fire and shrapnel.
“It’s all so the life expectancy of a gunner will be that much higher,” Lemus added.
Lemus also said anyone outside the camp can depend on them to continue their high quality of work for the entirety of the deployment.
"Whatever it is someone needs, we try to get them the best quality product," he said. "We take pride in our work. If it comes from here, it's going to be of a high quality. We're giving people outside the wire a better chance of survival. There's not one person in this shop that isn't thinking about that."
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – Corporal Michael C. Matsche, the Weld Shop floor chief and Oshkosh, Wis., native with the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), welds the pieces of a new turret design together at the Metal Shop April 16.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – Corporal Michael C. Matsche, the Weld Shop floor chief and Oshkosh, Wis., native with the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), welds the pieces of a new turret design together at the Metal Shop April 16.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – Corporal Michael C. Matsche, the Weld Shop floor chief and Oshkosh, Wis., native with the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), takes over for another Marine April 16.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – Corporal Rogelio R. Quintero, a welder with the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), makes measurements for a recently-assigned project April 16. Quintero, a Calexico, Calif., native, said he enjoys his job because he feels he is skilled at it.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – Corporal Rogelio R. Quintero, a welder with the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), makes measurements for a recently-assigned project April 16. Quintero, a Calexico, Calif., native, said he enjoys his job because he feels he is skilled at it.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – Marines at the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battlion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), work to meet the needs of Regimental Combat Team 6.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – The Metal Shop Marines with Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), pose for a photo at the front of their shop April 16.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – Lance Cpl. Cody R. Stewart, a welder and Pilot Point, Texas, native with the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), works on a project at the Metal Shop April 16. The pieces he worked on went on the bed of a humvee to prevent shrapnel from improvised explosive devices from injuring or killing passengers.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – Lance Cpl. Cody R. Stewart, a welder and Pilot Point, Texas, native with the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), grinds a piece of metal at the shop April 16 for a new project.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 23, 2007) – Corporal Michael C. Matsche, the Weld Shop floor chief and Oshkosh, Wis., native with the Metal Shop, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), welds the pieces of a new project together at the Metal Shop April 16. The Marines often times come up with innovative ideas themselves.
Good Work!!!
Metal ping!
BTTT
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
"Journalist" Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Griffith has obviously never worked with metal -- or, even visited a shop where metal is worked...
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This is a classic, gasoline + compressed (hand-pumped) air "blowtorch":
And this is a modern, propane-bottle fueled "blowtorch":
"Blowtorches" are used for heating things like frozen pipes and for melting low temperature metals like solders and lead.
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This is an oxygen-acetylene fueled "cutting torch":
It cuts (actually burns) through steel by melting and then, (when excess oxygen is turned on by pressing the "cutting lever") oxidizing (burning) it. A "blowtorch": can not cut steel.
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There. Now you know -- and I've satisfied my "AR" ("obsessive-compulsive") semantics lesson quota for the day... LOL!!!
Hey thanks. A copy of this went up in the welding area here.
Forgive my picking, but by changing the title, you’ve created a number conflict bewteen the subject and the verb which didn’t appear in the original.
So you're saying this thing uses fire to melt steel? No way.
Regards
Great post and enjoyed the pics.
ping
FR WAR NEWS!FR WAR NEWS!That’s what I’m talkin’ about! Thanks!
Maybe so. But without the small change. Most who would be interested in the story would have just scrolled by it when it’s in a list of more that 200 titles.
Again it’s not a big deal, but changes to the title should be made parenthetically.
WOW!!! You better send a picture and the explanation to Rosie. She said it can’t be done!
LOL!!! According to the Fat, Ugly, Loudmouthed, Lesbian Bimbo School of Thermodynamics and Metallurgy ?
'-}
#17 is for you, too... ‘-)
It was 3am Tacked it on just before I hit post. I forgot.
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