MALS-14 cryogenic Marines lend cool hand to 2nd MAW

Photo By Sgt. Samuel A. Nasso | Left to right, Lance Cpls. Matthew G. Devellis and Erick A. Zuniga, cryogenic technicians with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, watch liquid oxygen transfer from a TMU-70 to a liquid oxygen tank in support of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 flight operations. Several of the responsibilities for cryogenic technicians include providing gaseous oxygen for F/A-18 Hornet pilots’ oxygen masks for high altitude flights, gaseous nitrogen for propelling ordnance, activating pilots’ ejection seats and for simple uses like inflating aircraft and vehicle tires.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

03.10.2011

Story by Cpl. Samuel A. Nasso 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- When a Marine says he or she is a cryogenic technician it is easy to be unclear with what that entails. Possibly for movie buffs the first thing that comes to mind is the movie Demolition Man, when villain Wesley Snipes and hero Sylvester Stallone are cryogenically frozen for years until they are thawed and upon doing so rekindle their tension in a new era.

Either way, the common association begins with the root word “cryo” which is defined as cold and freezing according to Merriam-Webster.com. And as a cryogenic technician in the Marine Corps, it is exactly what it sounds like it is; a Marine that handles really cold oxygen and nitrogen in liquid and gaseous form.

Approximately 20 Marines make up the Marine Aviation Logistics 14 cryogenic detachment on Cherry Point with an additional dozen at the Center for Naval Aviation and Technical Training detachment, which are directly next to each other.

CNATT’s cryogenic mission occupational school’s proximity to MALS-14’s cryogenic detachment is convenient for both groups.

“To have CNATT in walking distance is perfect because if we have any questions about maintenance or about the job at all, all we have to do is walk down the road and ask the instructors,” said Staff Sgt. Joe E. Dorley, non-commissioned officer in charge of the MALS-14 cryogenics detachment.

Compared to the majority of Marines that go through CNATT, the cryogenics training school is their “A” school which in other cases tends to be a “C” school. All that means is that once Marines complete Marine Corps combat training they come directly here and directly to the fleet upon finishing the three and a half month school.

“It’s our job to train these young Marines so they can responsibly carry out cryogenic support to their respective assigned units,” said Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Vanetten, the staff non-commissioned officer in charge at CNATT’s cryogenics detachment.

There is a good chance that the role of cryogenics on the air station is unknown to many but simply put, the primary mission is to produce and monitor oxygen and nitrogen in liquid and gaseous form to support the daily operations of the squadrons that fall within 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Several of the responsibilities include providing gaseous oxygen for F/A-18 Hornet pilots’ oxygen masks for high altitude flights, gaseous nitrogen for propelling ordnance, activating pilots’ ejection seats and for simple uses like inflating aircraft and vehicle tires.

“It is important because a pilot could blackout if he or she isn’t receiving the proper amount of pure oxygen and in turn would be very bad,” said Lance Cpl. Erick A. Zuniga, a cryogenic technician.

From producing and testing the liquid and gaseous oxygen and nitrogen in the lab to transporting it from the M202 liquid generating plant to TMU-70 liquid oxygen tanks on the flight line, the cryogenic technicians constantly support their fellow squadrons with MALS-14.

“We take samples of oxygen and nitrogen through specialized test equipment and specify what elements the samples contain,” Dorley explained. “The samples have to meet specific measurements of oxygen otherwise they cannot be used.”

They may not be in the front, leading patrols or clearing routes in a humvee in Afghanistan, but the danger that comes with being a cryogenic technician seconds the notion that “Every Marine fights the fight.”

“The most common obstacle we have to overcome is dealing with the level of safety standards we have to adhere to,” Dorley stated. “Obviously safety is paramount due to the dangers associated with dealing with oxygen and nitrogen and why we day in and day out emphasize the importance of safety measures.”

Speaking of danger, for deployments, the detachment usually sends individual augments with smaller units but whenever a MALS deploys there will be a cryogenics component. During deployment, these Marines are responsible for all oxygen and nitrogen associated gear.

“What we do is important because planes can’t get off the ground without our support,” Dorley said. “In one fashion or another we support every aircraft with something and to know what you do, directly affects the mission at hand is what being a Marine is all about.”

• Date Taken: 03.10.2011
• Date Posted: 03.10.2011 11:06
• Story ID: 66784
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US