Photo By Lance Cpl. Kelvin Clark | Marine Cpl. Leighton Zacher, a hydraulics mechanic with Aviation Intermediate...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- When a squadron deploys, accountability for everything from supplies to the maintenance of the unit must be checked. Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 is the squadron who handles the task for the aviation squadrons here. So, when Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, also known as the Checkerboards, set out for a deployment, MALS-31 sent Marines to accompany them.
Nineteen Marines with MALS-31 attached to VMFA-312 for a seven-month deployment aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman, May 21.
Seventeen of the MALS-31 Marines, also known as the Stingers, work in the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Division on the Truman; the other two Marines are working alongside units within the squadron.
“We are here as augments for the squadron. We perform the same jobs we did [on the air station] as we are doing for the Checkerboards,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph Schneider, the production control chief for AIMD and VMFA-312. “Marine Aircraft Group 31 sends MALS-31 personnel to support all deployed units to fill positions for technicians and supervisors.”
The Marines have been with the Checkerboards since December 2008 for every training exercise during the deployment on the Truman.
Aboard the ship, the Stingers work in several of the shops within AIMD such as aviation, hydraulics, airframes, Aircraft Life Support Systems and the supply sections.
“Our main mission is to conduct maintenance on aircraft, prioritize workloads and ensure supplies get to every shop within the squadron,” Schneider said. “We do everything we can to make sure our aircraft gets and stays in the air.”
For the MALS-31 Marines, this was not their first time interacting with sailors. The classes they attended at their basic Military Occupational Specialty school is with sailors. They also work alongside the Navy on the Air Station at MALS -31.
“I have been with the Navy my entire career. Even on the Air Station, our section is led by Navy personnel,” said Cpl. Leighton Zacher, a hydraulics mechanic for AIMD.
Although the Marines are working in Navy sections and are attached to the Checkerboards, they still keep in contact with Marines back at Fightertown for advice and any other inquiries they may have, which pertain to their jobs, careers and life itself.
“It is always great when you have good friends you can talk to back home,” Zacher said. “If I have any questions while working here, I know I can just call or e-mail home and get the responses I need. Speaking to them also helps me get through my day.”
The Stingers understand what their mission and obligations are during the deployment. Whether on a Marine Corps or Naval installation, the results are the same.
“We must be one team while we’re aboard the Truman,” Schneider said. “We are here to do our jobs as Marines and what the Marine Corps asks. This deployment will help us all in our future endeavors, no matter where our careers may take us.”
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.09.2010 09:26 |
| Story ID: | 52592 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 74 |
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