By Gary Rice
NADEP NEWS Editor

Aircraft worker Don Daugherty says that working on H-53 Sea Stallion helicopters can be demanding at times, but as long as he has something to work on and parts to do the job, he is doing just fine.

“I have a background in fixed-wing aircraft from my service in the Marines,” Daugherty said, “so I find that working on helos is challenging and interesting. H-53s are easier to work on than F-4s or F-18s, for example, because they have more space to work in and are not as cramped. It’s just a good aircraft to work on.”

Daugherty, who hails from Fort Worth, Texas, has been employed at NADEP Cherry Point for a total of eight years. He has worked on H-53s for six of those years. Prior to NADEP, he spent almost twelve years in the Marine Corps.

“When I got out of the Marines, I decided I wanted to work at NADEP,” he said. “I was happy when I found out I got the job I wanted, and I plan to stay here as long as they’ll have me.”

Daugherty currently lives with his wife and 15-year-old son. He also has a married son who lives in Texas.

Like Daugherty, contractor employee Christopher Graham says that he, too, finds his job in the H-53 Hangar enjoyable and challenging. He has only been working at the depot for two years but is looking forward to building a career here.

“I’m new to this type of work, and I have no prior experience working on aircraft,” Graham, 22, said. “But I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here, and every job is interesting. The artisans here have a lot of expertise, and there’s always something new to work on and something new to learn.”

Before coming to the depot, Graham worked in Morehead City building docks and seawalls, a far cry from the more technical work he performs at the depot. He has a daughter who will be three in May and a son who will be one in April. He is originally from Morehead City.

Photo Caption: H-53 aircraft workers Christopher Graham (left) and Don Daugherty change the seal on an engine cooler in NADEP’s H-53 Hangar, Building 137. (Photo by Gary Rice)