thedrifter
05-01-09, 07:06 AM
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Public Affairs
Story by Lance Cpl. Brandon Dulaney
Date: 05.01.2009
Posted: 05.01.2009 04:31
AL ASAD, Iraq – The aviation ordnance Marines of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 are rarely seen or heard from aboard Al Asad Airbase, but they wield some of the air combat element's most decisive combat tools.
The rockets, bullets, missiles, bombs, flares and anything else that shoots or drops from the aircraft is their domain. But before those munitions can be shot or dropped, they must be built; and that's where the MALS-26 ordnance Marines come in.
These Marines handle everything from the initial storage of ordnance to the actual building process and then delivery to a respective squadron. Taking it even further, they also perform maintenance on the aircraft armament systems along with inspecting weapons systems and their vital components.
"We do it all," said Lance Cpl. Luke Morrison, MALS-26 aviation ordnanceman. "We store it, build it and then send it out, but as ordnancemen we must make sure that all weapons systems function properly as well. If they don't, then the ordnance is pretty much useless without a weapons system to shoot it down range."
As needed, these Marines begin complete assembly of all types of rockets and bombs. Everything from 2,000-pound laser-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions to 2.75" rockets goes through a precise assembly process and rigorous inspections.
"We make sure bombs are ready to go down range," said Staff Sgt. Kenneth J. Middendorf, MALS-26 ordnance production control chief. "[Aside] from the bombs, we also make sure the weapons systems aboard the aircraft are working properly, loaded with rounds and are ready to fire."
Seeing their hard work being put on the aircraft gives them a sense of accomplishment, said Morrison. Knowing that they have done their part in supporting the overall mission and if they didn't do the job, the aircraft wing would be pretty ineffective.
Given the nature of their job and that they never see their products being used, many of these Marines feel as if their job isn't complete until that aircraft returns empty-handed.
"We take pride in delivering the munitions needed out there," said Middendorf. "People depend on us to get our job done correctly and it's a good feeling to know we are indirectly helping to make the mission easier and a lot safer for those on the ground."
Whether it's building bombs, rockets or missiles to be sent down range, these Marines are fiercely dedicated to their job and as they reflect on the recent aviation ordnance birthday, their personal connection with the unique history of their profession is apparent.
"We are a very proud organization," said Middendorf. "We are such a small job field and we stick to our roots. Every year we have a birthday celebration and former ordnancemen come from all over the country to celebrate it with us.
"There's one guy that served as an ordnanceman in Guam," he added. "He's 80 something years old and he still has a birthday party for it and invites all ordnancemen to come and join him. It's amazing. The camaraderie in our job field is something to be reckoned with. There's no other shop in the Corps that does what we do."
Despite being in a combat zone and keeping up with the aviation squadrons' operational tempo and needs, that won't be enough to deter the MALS-26 ordnance Marines from celebrating their roots and taking a look at what they are accomplishing today.
"We have a lot of stuff going on here," said Capt. James C. Rose, MALS-26 ACE ordnance officer. "But, when things settle down we will definitely get something together. This is our birthday and we will celebrate it."
After 87 years of dedicated service, the Marines of aviation ordnance will continue upon the legacy set before them, and begin to write the book for the next 87 years to come with the same attitude as those who came before them.
"We can go anywhere," said Cpl. Eric Thurau, MALS-26 ordnance technician. "It does not matter where it is, what conditions we are in. We will get the job done."
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq's Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
Ellie
Story by Lance Cpl. Brandon Dulaney
Date: 05.01.2009
Posted: 05.01.2009 04:31
AL ASAD, Iraq – The aviation ordnance Marines of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 are rarely seen or heard from aboard Al Asad Airbase, but they wield some of the air combat element's most decisive combat tools.
The rockets, bullets, missiles, bombs, flares and anything else that shoots or drops from the aircraft is their domain. But before those munitions can be shot or dropped, they must be built; and that's where the MALS-26 ordnance Marines come in.
These Marines handle everything from the initial storage of ordnance to the actual building process and then delivery to a respective squadron. Taking it even further, they also perform maintenance on the aircraft armament systems along with inspecting weapons systems and their vital components.
"We do it all," said Lance Cpl. Luke Morrison, MALS-26 aviation ordnanceman. "We store it, build it and then send it out, but as ordnancemen we must make sure that all weapons systems function properly as well. If they don't, then the ordnance is pretty much useless without a weapons system to shoot it down range."
As needed, these Marines begin complete assembly of all types of rockets and bombs. Everything from 2,000-pound laser-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions to 2.75" rockets goes through a precise assembly process and rigorous inspections.
"We make sure bombs are ready to go down range," said Staff Sgt. Kenneth J. Middendorf, MALS-26 ordnance production control chief. "[Aside] from the bombs, we also make sure the weapons systems aboard the aircraft are working properly, loaded with rounds and are ready to fire."
Seeing their hard work being put on the aircraft gives them a sense of accomplishment, said Morrison. Knowing that they have done their part in supporting the overall mission and if they didn't do the job, the aircraft wing would be pretty ineffective.
Given the nature of their job and that they never see their products being used, many of these Marines feel as if their job isn't complete until that aircraft returns empty-handed.
"We take pride in delivering the munitions needed out there," said Middendorf. "People depend on us to get our job done correctly and it's a good feeling to know we are indirectly helping to make the mission easier and a lot safer for those on the ground."
Whether it's building bombs, rockets or missiles to be sent down range, these Marines are fiercely dedicated to their job and as they reflect on the recent aviation ordnance birthday, their personal connection with the unique history of their profession is apparent.
"We are a very proud organization," said Middendorf. "We are such a small job field and we stick to our roots. Every year we have a birthday celebration and former ordnancemen come from all over the country to celebrate it with us.
"There's one guy that served as an ordnanceman in Guam," he added. "He's 80 something years old and he still has a birthday party for it and invites all ordnancemen to come and join him. It's amazing. The camaraderie in our job field is something to be reckoned with. There's no other shop in the Corps that does what we do."
Despite being in a combat zone and keeping up with the aviation squadrons' operational tempo and needs, that won't be enough to deter the MALS-26 ordnance Marines from celebrating their roots and taking a look at what they are accomplishing today.
"We have a lot of stuff going on here," said Capt. James C. Rose, MALS-26 ACE ordnance officer. "But, when things settle down we will definitely get something together. This is our birthday and we will celebrate it."
After 87 years of dedicated service, the Marines of aviation ordnance will continue upon the legacy set before them, and begin to write the book for the next 87 years to come with the same attitude as those who came before them.
"We can go anywhere," said Cpl. Eric Thurau, MALS-26 ordnance technician. "It does not matter where it is, what conditions we are in. We will get the job done."
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq's Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
Ellie