305th MXS Airmen earn Marine Corps recognition Published Aug. 17, 2012 By 2nd Lt. Alexis McGee Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Marine Aircraft Group 49 detachment commander recognized nine Airmen from the 305th Maintenance Squadron Aug. 9 in Dock 1 for their efforts repairing parts for the detachment's five AH-1W Cobra and four UH-1N Iroquois helicopters this spring. The Airmen, who work in the 305th MXS's Aircraft Metals Technology and Aircraft Structural Maintenance shops, assisted with eight separate repairs of the aircraft, saving both time and money for the Marine detachment. The Marines would have otherwise had to send the parts to North Carolina for repair, said 2nd Lt. Katie Yates, 305th MXS fabrication flight commander . Marine aircraft maintenance provided a unique opportunity for the Airmen since Marine aircraft maintenance typically has limitations on who can conduct repairs. "Normally no one is able to work on Marine aircraft besides the Marines, but they made a lot of phone calls to the technical representatives to get our Airmen the approval to assist," said Yates of the Airmen in her shop. Commander Maj. Theodore Batzel Jr., Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 Detachment B, awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal to Master Sgt. Joseph Martinek, 305th MXS metals technology section chief, for leading his section to complete the maintenance. "Master Sgt. Martinek's superb leadership and technical expertise on four UH-1Ns parts were critical to finishing the installation of four engines and two gearboxes," according to the medal citation. Batzel presented certificates of commendation to Tech. Sgt. Joseph Evans, structural maintenance craftsman; Tech. Sgt. Jarod Jones, metals technology craftsman; Staff Sgt. Lewis Pascavage, metals technology craftsman; and Staff Sgt. Shane Shepperson, metals technology craftsman . Batzel also presented letters of appreciation to Staff Sgt. Jamison Lynn, metals technology journeyman; Senior Airman Henry Foradory, metals technology journeyman; Airman 1st Class Ivan Castano, structural maintenance journeyman; and Airman 1st Class Chelsie Rodeheaver, metals technology journeyman. "The repairs for all the components saved the U.S. Marine Corps more than $88,900 and numerous days of transient and maintenance time," according to Martinek's Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal citation. The Airmen worked on the aircraft from Feb. 14 to May 9.