FLY BY: LANCE CPL. DANIEL HERNANDEZ

Photo By Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom | Lance Cpl. Daniel Hernandez, a cryogenics technician with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 14, fills a 50-gallon container of liquid oxygen for one of the units aboard the air station at the MALS-14 cryogenics facility, Jan. 23. “Without us transferring these elements from gas to liquid and back, all aircraft on this air station wouldn’t be able to taxi out to even take off,” said Hernandez. Hernandez said the aircraft utilize the liquid oxygen for breathing capabilities, while they use the liquid nitrogen in the tires, struts, canopies and even in missile tubes. “When I am asked what I do in the Marine Corps no one knows what cryogenics is,” said Hernandez. “That is one of the most fun parts of my job, explaining the science and procedure behind what I do. I also take pride in the fact that my job has a great impact on the Marines aboard this air station and the mission of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.”  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

01.31.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - FLY BY: LANCE CPL. DANIEL HERNANDEZ
Job Title: Cryogenics Technician
Unit: Marine Aviation Logistics
Squadron 14
Hometown: Moreno Valley, Calif.
Age: 21
DATE JOINED: OCTOBER 2009

Lance Cpl. Daniel Hernandez spends his days converting the natural air we breathe into liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen.

These two elements are an essential part of everyday life aboard the air station and are used by all of its aviation units, said the cryogenics technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14.
Hernandez said liquid oxygen feeds pilots’ oxygen masks during flight, while liquid nitrogen is a source for nitrogen gas used in tires, struts, canopies and even in missile tubes.

“WHEN I AM ASKED WHAT I DO IN THE MARINE CORPS, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT CRYOGENICS IS,” SAID HERNANDEZ. “THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST FUN PARTS OF MY JOB, EXPLAINING THE SCIENCE AND PROCEDURES BEHIND WHAT I DO. I ALSO TAKE PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT MY JOB HAS A GREAT IMPACT ON THE MARINES ABOARD THIS AIR STATION AND THE MISSION OF 2ND MARINE AIRCRAFT WING.”

• Date Taken: 01.31.2013
• Date Posted: 01.31.2013 09:57
• Story ID: 101277
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US