Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point -- Behind the scenes of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is a squadron that has recently shown their attention to detail by perfecting their most recent Commanders of Naval Air Force inspection during the last week of May.
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 provides flying units with mid-level maintenance support, and keeps them supplied with necessary equipment, ordinance and fuel. The squadron is comprised of many different divisions like power line, airframes, avionics and ordinance.
Every two years a CNAF team inspects the squadron to ensure quality assurance representatives are holding Marines accountable for abiding by the rules and regulations outlined in the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program.
"The CNAF inspection team inspects both the Navy and Marine Corps aviation squadrons for all platforms of aircraft for one week," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Matthew Burg, the quality assurance officer. "The inspection centers over the squadrons' compliance with policies and programs set forth in the NAMP which guides how we govern our squadron's aviation maintenance."
All programs graded by the team are covered in detail within the maintenance program.
"The NAMP outlines every (standard operating procedure) and provides manuals for all the programs involved with the squadron," said Sgt. Marc Thompson, a division QAR with the squadron.
During the inspection, the inspection team graded each program as "on track," "needs more attention," or "off track." The team observed Marines to see whether standard operating procedures were being enforced. Individual Marines were chosen randomly and graded on their ability to perform tasks and duties ranging from tool control to engine maintenance.
The inspection determines whether a squadron monitors themselves correctly, said Burg. The Marines working hard, training hard, maintaining proper records and maintenance skills was key to the successful inspection.
"All 43 programs were marked as on track," said Thompson. "We blew it out of the water."
Sgt. Shawn Gadsden, a work center supervisor for MALS-14 airframes division said the results of the inspection came from the hard work and discipline of the junior Marines and their confidence in their leadership's ability to lead them to success.
"Every day inside (the airframes division) we keep motivation up by holding simple competitions among the Marines," said Gadsden. "The key to success in this job is simply the willingness to learn. If you are willing to learn and strive to be the best in this job, you can go far."