Hard Charging Marine Excels In Desert

[thedrifter]

Cpl. Titisha S. Cochran

Hard Charging Marine Excels In Desert


By Pfc. Bronwyn M. Meyer / U.S. Army

KUWAIT ? A Marine in Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom has gained the respect and admiration of her superiors and peers with her exceptional work ethic and extensive knowledge of the CH-53E Super Stallion.

Cpl. Titisha S. Cochran, HMH-462 aviation electronics technician and Atlanta native, won the Sikorsky Maintenance Award, was nominated for the Maintenance Marine of the Year, and is the first woman to be a Collateral Duty Inspector for her squadron.

Cochran works on the CH-53E Super Stallion, a heavy lifter helicopter that is used to transport supplies, ammo and military personnel.

Cochran works 11 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week, said Sgt. Joshua Dow, HMH-462 aviation electronics technician and Fairfield, Calif., native.

"She's one of the hardest workers we have in the shop," he said.

The Sikrorsky Maintenance Award is a quarterly award given out by the makers of the Super Stallion and it is the highest squadron award, said Cochran. She received this award when she was deployed in Afghanistan.

More recently Cochran was nominated for the highest maintenance award, Maintenance Marine of the Year.

"She's the one who most deserves it," said Staff Sgt. Darrell H. Springer, HMH-462 day crew work center supervisor and Lorrain, Ohio, native.

Cochran was nominated because of her attitude, knowledge and drive, said Springer.

"She can be counted on anytime she is tasked with something," said Master Sgt. Dale Marsh, HMH-462 avionics chief. "She is an outstanding Marine. She goes above and beyond."

She also takes younger Marines under her wing and teaches them everything she knows.

"She is a good instructor for junior Marines," said Dow.

As a collateral duty inspector, Cochran also inspects the maintenance that other Marines perform on the Super Stallions. She is the first woman CDI in HMH-462, said Dow. A Marine must have comprehensive knowledge of the CH-53E and have the trust of the commanding officer to be a CDI, he said.

"I wish I had 10 more like her," said Springer. "She's pretty incredible."




Cpl. Titisha S. Cochran, Marine Heavy Helicopter squadron 462 aviation electronics technician and Atlanta native, works on a CH53-E Super Stallion. Cochran is nominated for Maintenance Marine of the Year. Defense Department photo by Pfc. Bronwyn M. Meyer, U.S. Army



Sempers,

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