Photo By Cpl. Christopher Johns | Senior leadership with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 serve eggs, sausage and...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 celebrated its 60th anniversary aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 1.
Six decades before MALS-16 had become the unit it is today, it started with humble beginnings at Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana, Calif., March 1, 1952, as Headquarters Squadron 16.
HS-16’s mission was to provide logistical and administrative support to a new aircraft group called Marine Aircraft Group 16.
Since its activation, MALS-16 has been all over the world, from California to Japan, to the jungles of Korea and the deserts of Afghanistan, until finally coming back to California again where the aviation unit celebrated its 60th year of service to the Marine Corps.
After 60 years of providing maintenance and logistical support to MAG-16, the unit decided to gather Marines for a morning to celebrate.
Marines with the logistics squadron listened to a speech by guest speaker Col. Richard Coleman, the assistant chief of staff with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Aviation Logistics Department and a New Orleans native, then enjoyed a breakfast and cake to celebrate this wonderful occasion.
“We invited significant leadership ranging from the squadron to all levels,” said Capt. Aniema Utuk, the assistant operations officer and command historian.
Marines with MALS-16 gathered to hear about the accomplishments of Marines before them and accomplishments current MALS Marines have achieved as well.
The unit also received 10 consecutive V.C. Sledge Awards for T-64 engine support and the DOD Maintenance Excellence Award for 1988 and 1991.
In 1988, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 16 became Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, but the awards didn’t stop with a name change.
MALS-16 was the first aviation logistics squadron to receive the Department of Defense Phoenix Award in 1991 for outstanding performance in logistical support and maintenance. Later that year, they also received the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Mike Yunck Award for superior performance in the maintenance field.
Marines with MALS-16 have done their part to not only provide the best aviation support, but to provide the best Marine support as well.
“I’ve been a part of several MALS, in Japan, the East Coast and here as well,” said Sgt. Gregory Craig, an assistant operations chief with MALS-16 and a Houston native. “This MALS is a pretty tight knit group. It’s probably one of the closest MALS I’ve seen.”
With as tight knit a group as the award-winning unit is comes the ability to perform missions with zeal unlike any other MALS.
“The cohesion of the Marines has kind of taken on its own form,” said Craig. “It’s evident by the operational tempo of MALS-16, which has been so great, it’s something I’ve never seen before.”
The unit always has its Marines in a constant state of readiness. The unit has Marines anywhere they are needed, making sure the missions of MAG-16 go off without a hitch.
“Whether it’s 10 Marines or 200, MALS-16 always has Marines forward deployed,” said Craig. “The Marines are always preparing for that, always getting themselves ready.”
While maintaining a constant readiness to deploy, Marines with MALS-16 always strive to be the ultimate professionals.
“One thing I try to convey to my Marines is a sense of passion,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Lenhardt, the commanding officer for MALS-16 and a Woodbridge, Va., native.
Always teach Marines that good is never enough, there is always a way to better your standards and set the par for excellence higher and higher, added Lenhardt, who believes the Marines at MALS-16 understand that concept and live by it.
MALS-16 has proven over 60 years that their professionalism is only equaled by the need to set the bar higher for maintenance excellence and logistical support to the aircraft of MAG-16, making sure the war-fighter on the ground has a protector over head for years to come.
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2012 17:09 |
| Story ID: | 84654 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 470 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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