MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- Ordnance Marines from every unit and squadron on station celebrated the 84th birthday of the ordnance military occupational specialty at a party April 28 at Ramada Field here.
The event featured the presentation of the Marine Aircraft Group 13 Ordnanceman of the Year Award, a field events competition, a display of ordnance history papers and food and beverages for the attendees.
Cpl. Loukenneth Q. Isip, ordnance technician with Marine Attack Squadron 311, was the recipient of the Ordnanceman of the Year Award.
Isip competed against one candidate from every ordnance unit on station in a “super physical fitness test”, in which Marines could score over 300 points, and went before a board of ordnance Marines who evaluated his service record book and ordnance knowledge.
Isip said he was humbled by the experience because there were many Marines who deserved the award, but he was glad to have won.
Warrant Officer Jacob Lewis, VMA-311 ordnance officer, said Isip won because he constantly strives to better himself and the Marines around him.
The Ordnanceman of the Year Award was a way for the Marines to be recognized for their hard work, and the events’ competition was a way for the ordnance Marines to have fun, bond and relax while competing in a safe atmosphere, said Maj. Peter Bailiff, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 ordnance officer. The squadrons competed in volleyball, horseshoes, Sumo wrestling and tug of war to win the ordnance trophy formed from an Mk-76 practice bomb autographed by former Navy Lt. John W. Finn, the only ordnanceman to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
MAWTS-1 was the victor of the competition, defeating MALS-13 by one point.
Staff Sgt. Craig Brown, MAWTS-1 ordnance noncommissioned officer-in-charge and native of Meadville, Pa., said it was determination that enabled MAWTS-1, the smallest unit at the event, to win the trophy.
Bailiff said he planned the event for April 28, even though the actual birthday of the field is April 25, to give the Marines more of an opportunity to attend.
The day was a great success with a good turn-out, said Bailiff. Hopefully, next year the celebration will be bigger and more Marines will be able to attend.
Each year, ordnance Marines from all over the Corps celebrate the birthday in one form or another, and after six years without a station-wide celebration, it was time for the station ordnance Marines to put one together, said Teegarden.
As the event came to an end, ordnance Marines from every unit came together and talked about the importance of their jobs and the plans for next year’s celebration.
Wherever there are aviation units supporting ground units there will be ordnance Marines there, said CWO 2 Eric Shoberg, Marine Attack Squadron 211 ordnance officer.