Production Plant Barstow's Optics Lab

Photo By Laurie Pearson | Robert Hartong, Optics Lab journeyman, cleans a wind sendor for a Light Armored Vehicle-25 as part of the repair process for the optical components of the LAV-25 at the Optics Lab located at Production Plant Barstow, Marine Depot Maintenance Command, on the Yermo Annex aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., March 28. The artisans at the Optics Lab ensure that the optical components meet critical parameters in order to make certain that the equipment is accurate in the field.  

BARSTOW, CA, UNITED STATES

04.12.2018

Story by Laurie Pearson  

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

Personnel working for the Optics Laboratory at Production Plant Barstow, Marine Depot Maintenance Command work long hours to ensure that all of the optical fire control systems for military equipment is in top condition, on the Yermo Annex aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
“What we do here is work on all of the optical equipment for Amphibious Assault Vehicles, Light Armored Vehicles, M777 Howitzers, M88 Recovery Vehicles and Transmission Control Modules for Humvees (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, or HMMWVs),” said Donna Stone, Optics supervisor. “The TCM controls speeds and how the equipment shifts.”
Optics are the optical devices which allow operators to track, align and measure distance and range for optimal fire control.
“We have to meet very specific parameters,” said Robert Hartong, Optics journeyman. “Even minor variations can have serious consequences in the field.”
The various shops included in the Optics lab allow the artisans to disassemble, clean, repair, calibrate and test the optical equipment. The shops are equipped with lathes, cleaning stations, electronics stations, adjustable mounting stations, and myriad tools of the trade.
“We use a blaster, for instance, with a plastic blast media, to take off paint, oil, dirt, grease and so forth from some of the components,” Stone explained.
They modify and rebuild specific equipment, as well.
“The mission computers, for instance,” pointed out Miguel Sanchez, optical technician, “have SBC cards in them which short out. They’re no longer made so if we get them in, we get the modifications and install them.”
They also exercise intricate cautions, such as using electrostatic mats at their workstations.
“The mat is hooked up to electrostatic cables, that way if you are working on electronic equipment, you can put it on there and it’ll take the electricity out of your hands, so you don’t short out the memory cards,” Sanchez said, who has been doing this job since 1976.
At the M777 workstation, the fully adjustable mounting tables allow the artisans to mount the optics, take aim at external targets and ensure that all of the equipment lines up properly, explained Mike Dokie, Optics journeyman. He got interested in optics on hunting trips with his family.
“I learned how to use binoculars, and bore-sight my rifles,” he said. “So, when I interviewed for the position, I explained to (the interviewer) how I worked with those and he liked that. Later that day he called and offered me the job.”
That was almost 25 years ago. Since then he has been expanding his skill set to include the much larger weaponry and optical equipment used by the military.
“We work on mechanical optical equipment, digital fire control systems, electronic optical fire control systems, and more,” Stone said.
They even ensure compliance with environmental controls by using environmentally friendly degreasers, and disposal methods, she explained.
“I’ve been working in the field for 34 years, between private industry and government,” Hartong said.
His love of optics started when he was assisting his neighbor with coin-operated telescopes throughout Southern California.
“Optics is challenging,” he said. “Different types of equipment come and go, so nothing is ever the same. Mainly we work on Marine Corps equipment, but at any time, we may get a request to work on something for another branch, too.”
Damage to optical equipment can be caused by multiple issues, such as someone manually breaking a component, or damage in battle, and even damage caused by transport.
“Sometimes the people transporting the equipment will tighten down the straps right over the optics and it can break them,” Stone said.
In any given year, the Optics Lab receives and works on 25 LAVs, alone.
“Each of those might have 20 components we will work on,” Hartong explained. “We do a lot more than that when you add in all of the other types of equipment.”
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• Date Taken: 04.12.2018
• Date Posted: 04.12.2018 12:43
• Story ID: 272808
• Location: BARSTOW, CA, US