Nathan Cruz
Virginia Beach,VA
Summary
Dependable, collaborative United States Navy Veteran with strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills. Adaptable, team player that learns quickly and works well in fast-paced environments. Safety conscious and quality oriented professional with experience maintaining and repairing electrical and mechanical systems on aircraft. Areas of strength and expertise include: Small Team Leadership | Supply & Logistics Planning | Safety & Quality Assurance | Aircraft Inspections Ammunition Assembly & Servicing | Testing & Troubleshooting | Inventory Management
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Weapons Maintenance Technician
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two
2020.01 - 2023.01
- Responsible for servicing and maintaining MH-60s armament systems
- Inspected completed work to certify that maintenance met standards and that helicopters were always operation ready
- Performed over 173 pre-flight inspections to prepare for flight for HSC-2
- Maintained operations for aviation ordnance shops, armories and storage facilities
- Inspected, assembled and tested over 127,000 aviation ammunitions (7.62, 556, 20mm)
- 638 Rocket launchers (LAU-61C/A, LAU-61G/A)
- 496 AGM-114 Missiles
- Supervised the night check maintenance operations in support of search and rescue efforts.
- Trained new technicians on standard operating procedures, ensuring consistency across the team.
- Maintained safe work environment by strictly adhering to established safety protocols and guidelines.
- Performed troubleshooting and diagnosis on malfunctioning equipment.
Maintenance Technician
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron NINE
2014.09 - 2019.12
- Collaborated with team to decrease maintenance discrepancies by 90 percent
- Organized and established local tool containers which yielded a grade of “on-track” during all quality assurance audits
- Completed ammunition and crew-served weapons inventory with 100% accuracy of assigned ammunition line items and weapons
- Worked successfully with team that completed 356 maintenance actions, including five aircraft acceptances/transfers; eight phase inspections; and 76 special inspections that encompassed more than 634 crew hours
- These actions led to the safe execution of 4,300 flight hours and on-time graduation of 83 Fleet Replacement Pilots and Aircrewmen
- Planned, organized, and performed every service necessary to keep systems in pristine working condition and combat ready
- Maintained accurate maintenance records and reports
- Lead teams of 7 crew members in intense, quickly changing and dangerous environments such as on ground Aircraft operations and Flightdeck Operations
- Proficient in the upload, download and release and control checks of the 20mm M-197 Gatling Gun, M-299 Missile Launcher, LAU-61C/A and LAU-61G/A and Chaff and Flare Countermeasure Systems.
- Maintained high levels of readiness by participating in regular training exercises simulating real-world combat scenarios involving aviation ordnance usage.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ06.2026
Certificate - NCCER Welding Course Lv. 1&2
Craven Community College
New Bern, NC12.2022
Certification - Ordnance Handling & Safety
Aviation Ordnanceman "A" School, Class A1
Pensacola, FL02.2015
High School Diploma -
Havelock High School
Havelock, NC07.2014
Skills
- Computer Applications
- Electromechanical Systems Troubleshooting And Maintenance
- Hydraulic And Pneumatic Systems
- Industrial Safety
- Mechanical Components
- Quality Assurance
- Supervision
- Electrical Systems Troubleshooting And
Maintenance - Human Factors In Aviation Maintenance
- Aircraft Ground Operations And Aircraft
Servicing - Works Well Under Pressure
- Written/Verbal Communication
Accomplishments
- Humanitarian support relief to the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, Accompanying HSC-9. (2019)
- Global War on Terrorism Service Metal
- Humanitarian Service Metal
- National Defense Service Metal
- Good Condunt Medal
- Navy Marine-Corps Achivement Metal
Military Experience
From January 2014 to January 2023, I served in the United States Navy, culminating in my role as a Weapons Maintenance Technician with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2 (HSC-2) in Norfolk, Virginia from January 2020 to January 2023. I was responsible for servicing and maintaining MH-60s armament systems, ensuring operational readiness by inspecting completed work. I performed over 173 pre-flight inspections, maintained aviation ordnance shops, armories, and storage facilities, and inspected, assembled, and tested over 127,000 aviation ammunition units, 638 rocket launchers, and 496 AGM-114 missiles. Additionally, I supervised night check maintenance operations in support of search and rescue efforts.
Prior to this, from September 2014 to December 2019, I served as a Maintenance Technician at Naval Air Station Norfolk. I collaborated with my team to decrease maintenance discrepancies by 90%, organized and established local tool containers, achieving “on-track” grades during quality assurance audits. I completed ammunition and crew-served weapons inventories with 100% accuracy and successfully executed 356 maintenance actions, including aircraft acceptances/transfers, phase inspections, and special inspections. These actions contributed to 4,300 safe flight hours and the on-time graduation of 83 Fleet Replacement Pilots and Aircrewmen. I planned, organized, and performed necessary services to maintain systems in pristine working condition and maintained accurate maintenance records and reports. I led teams of seven crew members in intense and dangerous environments, such as ground aircraft operations and flight deck operations, and was proficient in the upload, download, and release and control checks of various armament systems.
Additionally, I held several key roles such as Leading Petty Officer, Quality Assurances Safety Observer (QASO), Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI), Team Leader, and Plane Captain/AO2(AW). As the Dispersed Technical Publication Library (DTPL) Coordinator, I managed updates and compliance of technical manuals. As the Tool Control Program Manager, I maintained, replaced, tracked, and calibrated all tools and test sets essential for mission success. As the Arms, Armament & Explosives (AA&E) Manager, I tracked, received, dispersed, and ensured proper storage of all AA&E in accordance with local and federal laws. In my capacity as QASO, I oversaw the compliance of loading and maintenance procedures for 2-7 manned load teams under training and hazardous conditions, providing subject matter expertise. As a CDI, I performed inspections on mission-critical components and oversaw maintenance activities. As a qualified H-60S Plane Captain, I performed vital inspections of all flight-critical components and serviced all fluid-based systems.
Training
- DTPL Coordinator (Dispersed Training Publication Library)
- Quality Assurance Safety Observer, 2019
- Collateral Duty Inspector, 2018
- Tool Program Manager, 2016
- Hazmat & SDS (Safety Data Sheet) Coordinator, 2016
- Aircraft Ground Operations & Aircraft Servicing, 2014
- Electrical Systems & Maintenance, 2018
- Explosive Driver Training, 2015
- Ordnance Handling/Safety, 2015
- NCCER Welding Lv. 1&2, 2022
- Tool Control Manager, 2019
- H-60S Plane Captain, 2017
Affiliations
- Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)
- Craven Community College
- Grand Canyon University (GCU) Alumni
- American Veterans (AMVETS)
Certification
NCCER Welding course Lv 1&2-Welding Safety, TIG, MIG, Stick, oxy fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting, air carbon arc cutting, metal preparation, welding symbols, and reading welding detailed drawings.
MH-60S Aviation Ordnance Pipeline- operate electrically-controlled mechanical systems; align, troubleshoot, and maintain electromechanical devices and systems; apply safety standards to electromechanical systems during operational and maintenance procedures; troubleshoot power distribution systems to electromechanical systems; and use built-in-test equipment and hand-held testing instruments for troubleshooting.
Additional Information
04-NOV-2014-Navy Military Training
06-NOV-2014-Personnel Financial Management
12-NOV-2014-Shipboard Aircraft Fire Fighting
21-MAY-2015-H-60 Wire System Repair Organizational Maintenance
22-MAY-2015-Laser Safety Fundamentals
28-MAY-2015-Mh-60s Conventional Weapons Loading
01-JUL-2015-Mh-60s Aviation Ordnance Pipeline
04-MAR-2020 Hf-Rising Tide Aviation Maintenance Never Events
05-MAR-2020Hf-Rising Tide Aviation Maintenance Never Events
Lead Loader on the 2017 Combat Deployment (Operation Inherent Resolve) on the MH-60S AirCraft.
Timeline
Weapons Maintenance Technician
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two
2020.01 - 2023.01
Maintenance Technician
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron NINE
2014.09 - 2019.12
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
Grand Canyon University
Certificate - NCCER Welding Course Lv. 1&2
Craven Community College
Certification - Ordnance Handling & Safety
Aviation Ordnanceman "A" School, Class A1
High School Diploma -
Havelock High School
NCCER Welding course Lv 1&2-Welding Safety, TIG, MIG, Stick, oxy fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting, air carbon arc cutting, metal preparation, welding symbols, and reading welding detailed drawings.
MH-60S Aviation Ordnance Pipeline- operate electrically-controlled mechanical systems; align, troubleshoot, and maintain electromechanical devices and systems; apply safety standards to electromechanical systems during operational and maintenance procedures; troubleshoot power distribution systems to electromechanical systems; and use built-in-test equipment and hand-held testing instruments for troubleshooting.
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