MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- August 1991, a young navy cryogenic technician assigned to the USS Independence was creating a small amount of liquid oxygen in a liquid oxygen pan. Not exercising proper safety, the sailor stepped in the pan, and the small amount of pressure from his foot was all it took to create an explosion that incinerated the sailor instantly and blew a hole through four upper levels of the ship.
The Station Cryogenics Division here works with some of the most dangerous elements on the air station to provide liquid and gaseous oxygen and nitrogen primarily for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, but also for many other units on station.
After World War II, scientists discovered metals frozen to low temperatures could withstand more wear, which sparked the study of cryogenics.
Today, the production of liquid and gaseous nitrogen and oxygen serves a huge role in the military, especially in aviation and medical operations.
Gaseous oxygen is used at the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic for patients under anesthesia, and used in F/A-18 Hornet pilots’ oxygen masks while in high altitude flights where oxygen is scarce.
Gaseous nitrogen is used for propelling aircraft warheads, activating pilots’ ejection seats and inflating aircraft and tactical vehicle tires.
Although highly convenient in liquid and gaseous forms, the creation of these elements is a process that has the potential to be very harmful.
“If you take a half pound of liquid oxygen, which is equal to about one cup, and you take a half pound of dirt, just those two together have the same explosive force as one pound of TNT,” said Chief Petty Officer Bill Ostrander, station cryogenics leading chief petty officer.
Although the elements used in cryogenics are retrieved from the air in the atmosphere, when separated, oxygen and nitrogen can be some of the most dangerous elements to work with.
“You have to keep your head on a swivel,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Candela, Station Cryogenics technician. “You just have to make sure that you’re not becoming complacent because you’re working with stuff that has extreme hazards involved.”
The military takes these hazards very seriously. The military occupational specialty as a cryogenic technician is only available for E-4s and above and E-3s with a waiver.
Candela said in the Navy, E-3s or below, in most cases, would never get assigned to the cryogenics field without completing at least one duty station.
Not only do the sailors have one complete duty station rotation, they also have to meet intelligence standards.
“You have to have a certain (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) score. Your math and English have to be at a certain level to be able to qualify for the school,” said Candela.
Having wits is just one part of the job. With the harmful substances they deal with on a regular basis, they must exercise safety and common sense.
“Since it is so dangerous, safety is alwaystaught from day one, and safety is something we always train on,” said Ostrander.
The Station Cryogenics Division has what they call a production period where they spend 8 – 10 days out of the month producing liquid nitrogen and oxygen.
During this period, technicians work 24-hour shifts with two people operating a production unit at a time.
“The top watch is the person who will make adjustments to the (production unit). They maintain purity and product flow,” said Candela. “The other (person) would be the messenger who will be there to take readings and get trained to be a top watch.”
The production amount depends on the needs of MALS-12 or the rate of nitrogen and oxygen being used on station.
With a staff of 12, the Station Cryogenics Division continues to conduct its dangerous daily duties providing MALS-12 and the air station with a cool cryogenic surplus.