Face of Defense: Marine Helicopter Crew Chief Aims High

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Dec. 3, 2014 – The Marine Corps is known as the elite fighting force of the United States and it draws that strength from the experiences and contributions of each individual Marine.

Marine Corps Cpl. James Hibler, a UH-1Y Huey helicopter crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, I Marine Expeditionary Force here, said he enlisted in the Marines to help secure his future.

Needing a Change

Hibler grew up in Arlington, Texas. His father and brother both served in the military, so he knew where to turn when he decided he needed a change.

“I went to the University of North Texas and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice,” Hibler said. “I didn’t want a normal job, so I decided to join the Marine Corps.”

When Hibler started looking into joining the military, he said, there were a number of things that drew him to the Marine Corps.

“If you’re going to join the military, you want to be one of the best, so you’re going to join the Marine Corps,” Hibler said. “Not only do we have the best reputation, our uniforms look better.”

Loss of Close Friend

Before enlisting, Hibler received a harsh reminder of what the price of service might be. On April 6, 2011, Hibler’s friend from elementary school, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith, was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

“One of my buddies called me and told me it happened,” Hibler said. “I was just numb; you don’t think that it’s going to happen to you, especially when you think so highly of your buddy.”

Despite the potential danger, Hibler spent approximately five months in the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program before leaving for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to start his training in January 2012.

Marines’ Iconic Image

While the Marine Corps offers a variety of potential jobs, Hibler’s career choice was inspired by imagery from the era in which his father served.

“If you look at iconic pictures and videos of Vietnam you see Hueys coming over the trees,” Hibler said. “What better job than to fly around in a Huey, shooting machine guns?”

As a UH-1Y Huey crew chief, Hibler helps ensure the aircraft is safe to fly and he also serves as a door-gunner in combat.

Hard, Sweaty Work

Hibler described one of the days on the job that gave him a sense of fulfillment as a Marine. It involved lots of hard work and a .50-caliber machine gun.

“We went to go shoot at Mount Home Air Force Base in Idaho and everywhere we flew there was snow on the ground,” Hibler said. “The .50 cal[iber] I was shooting broke, so we had to get the ammo to another helicopter.

“We landed in a field and had to carry about 800 rounds of ammo 200 yards uphill, but every step we took we would sink four or five inches into the soil,” he continued. “We only have a certain amount of time on station when we can deploy our weapons systems before we have to leave, so we had to hurry.”

Hibler and his comrades delivered the ammunition, he said, but not before they became soaked in sweat.

“Then we had to run back to our helicopter and keep flying around and it was about 40 degrees outside,” he added. “It was miserable, but it was kind of fun.”

Enjoying Camaraderie

Despite the excitement associated with his job, Hibler explained that the happiest moments of his career so far have involved in getting to know his fellow Marines.

“It’s when you’re sitting out on the flight line with a couple of your fellow crew chiefs waiting to go test some helicopters, or when you fly out to Twentynine Palms and you’re waiting for a fuel truck and you have down time just sitting in the back of a Huey talking to your buddies,” Hibler said. “That’s when you get personal with people. You get to know one another.”

Since joining HMLA-469 approximately a year and a half ago, Hibler has developed a reputation with his fellow noncommissioned officers.

Good Reputation

“His maturity shows on a day-to-day basis,” said Marine Corps Sgt. Robert Brown, a UH-1Y crew chief with HMLA-469, MAG-39, I MEF. “He comes in and does what he needs to do to get his job done. And now as a corporal, he keeps his Marines on track.”

Hibler accomplishes “whatever he sets his mind to” said Marine Corps Sgt. Eric Seaman, a UH-1Y crew chief with HMLA-469, MAG-39, I MEF.

“He’s already got a plan going, right now,” Seaman said of Hibler, “and as long as he continues on the outside world what he did here he will achieve whatever he needs to do.”

Aside from being part of an elite fighting force, Hibler explained that he was drawn to the Marine Corps by the opportunities that would be available when he completed his enlistment.

“When you’re in the Marine Corps, you meet so many people and open up avenues for yourself when you get out,” Hibler said. “Everybody likes to hire a veteran. Plus, you will always have that sense of pride of being a Marine.”

Plans for the Future

Hibler added that he has a plan to use his education in conjunction with the skills he gains during his military service.

“What I want to do is utilize my bachelor's in criminal justice and pursue one of the federal careers like the [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] or the [Drug Enforcement Agency],” Hibler said. “They all have helicopters so I want to try to pursue a career related to flying and stay working for a federal agency.”