MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 Aviation Life Support was evaluated Aug. 31 through Sept. 3 here during a Commander Naval Air Forces (CNAF) inspection and passed with flying colors.
The weeklong inspection consisted of multiple Navy officials evaluating every aspect of the work center.
“They came down here to make sure we are following the (Commander, Naval Air Forces Instruction 4790.2a), which is the rule book we follow for the maintenance that goes on here,” said Sgt. Cristian Orozco, division chief.
Throughout the week, different inspectors came to evaluate each specific entity of the shop.
“A certain inspector will come in just to check on our tools and ask us questions about how things are supposed to be done,” said Orozco. “Then another inspector focuses specifically on an individual shop and asks questions about the gear.”
Marines were not only questioned throughout the inspection, but also had to conduct practical application exercises.
“An inspector came up to me and asked me what I would do if another Marine got (hazardous material) in his eye,” said Lance Cpl. Sergio Tapia, flight equipment technician. “I had to take the Marine and show the inspectors what I would do in that situation. I got kind of nervous, but I pulled through and did what I was supposed to do.”
A lot of preparation went into getting ready for this inspection. Many of the Marines came in on weekends and spent long nights at work to make sure they didn’t miss anything.
“It has a lot to do with attention to detail,” said Orozco. “We have to nitpick everything to make sure what we’ve been doing is correct.”
“The hours were long, but it was worth it in the end,” added Tapia.
All of the Marines at Aviation Life Support performed above and beyond for the inspection, but one Marine was recognized for his excellence.
“I was given a Bravo Zulu,” said Orozco. “It’s to recognize Marines who did outstanding during the inspection. I got recognized for knowing all of the flight equipment technician side of our shop.”
Orozco also added that he couldn’t have done it without the rest of his Marines.
“All of the Marines were prepared,” he said. “They really knew what was going on.”
Now that the inspection is over, the Aviation Life Support shop isn’t going to relax. They will go straight back to doing what they do best — keeping pilots alive.