Makin’ it work: The CEM story

Photo By Sgt. Lauren Henson | Cpl. Jesse Collis, a test measurement and diagnostic equipment technician and a Wilmington, Del., native, sets up equipment to calibrate gear while working in the calibrations lab at Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., May 9. The Marines continuously train on communication skills in order to increase overall proficiency in the ground electronic maintenance field.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, UNITED STATES

05.09.2012

Story by Sgt. Lauren Henson 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.— The Marines of the Communications Electronic Maintenance platoon from Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 open and maintain the lines of communication for fellow Marines both aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., and overseas.

Each Marine is tasked with ensuring all communications gear is fully operational, from the installation of new gear to the diagnosis and repair of older.

The Marines complete a 13 month-long school located aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. All Marines attending training to become a basic electrician attend the Marine Corps Electronics School and then continue to follow-on schools for training in a specific military occupational specialty.

Aboard MCAS Miramar, Calif., there are three primary sub-shops and one administrative section within the CEM platoon. These sections are the ground radio repair section, the AN/TRC-170 radio and lightweight multi-band satellite terminal repair and the telephone and computer repair section.

This group of technicians consists of nearly 100 Marines and is a one-stop maintenance shop dedicated to supporting the Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 mission of providing expeditionary communications for the aviation combat element of I Marine Expeditionary Force.

“We support the commanding officer by ensuring the gear remains in a serviceable status, or returning it to a serviceable status if it’s not,” said Staff Sgt. Kyle Schimer, an electronics maintenance technician and a Fairoaks, Calif., native.

The unit must ensure readiness remains high on all pieces of equipment and the Marines of CEM spend each day ensuring that this is accomplished through preventative and corrective maintenance.

Marines do not leave work stations until every piece of gear is repaired and accounted for. These Marines are always on the go; whether or not a training event is going on, combat readiness is the goal at at all times, explained Schimer.

“We train everyday as if it’s for combat,” said Schirmer. “Back here [aboard the air station], we train to be more proficient, so that in combat we are more efficient.”

Communication is a vital asset in the Marine Corps, and the Marines of CEM ensure the equipment needed is ready and able. There are multiple moving parts to CEM and all play a critical role in ensuring the overall mission is accomplished.

• Date Taken: 05.09.2012
• Date Posted: 05.18.2012 15:24
• Story ID: 88657
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, US
• Hometown: SAN DIEGO, CA, US