MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- When the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-07 began in mid-September, work sections on station began preparing for the influx of Marines. Small and large units each have their responsibilities, but each is prepared for the challenge that comes along with being the busiest air station in the Department of the Navy -- and Combat Logistics Company 16 is no different.
CLC-16 is the station’s only unit capable of third-echelon, or highest level, vehicle maintenance, said Sgt. Micah Kovacs, CLC-16 platoon sergeant. Other units know how to do basic-to-intermediate level repair, but CLC-16 knows the ins and outs of this equipment. When other units or shops don’t know how to repair a vehicle, they turn to the Marines of CLC-16.
The Marines could work on 15-20 vehicles on a normal day and that number increases to dozens during WTI, said Kovacs.
And their experience and skill come into play even more then, said Kovacs. The responsibility CLC-16 undertakes doubles because of the large amount of Marines from maintenance companies from different Marine Corps Bases augmenting to it.
CLC-16 then becomes responsible for training those Marines to set up maintenance sights and provide convoy support in the field, as well as work with squadrons on station, said Kovacs. Because of the increase in responsibility, CLC-16 also has to maintain a 24-hour duty phone during WTI.
It’s not always easy and sometimes it takes working for 12 or more hours a day to get the job done, but that is what this unit is all about, said Kovacs.
It really shows how challenging being a mechanic can be, said Lance Cpl. Abraham Miller, CLC-16 mechanic. There are so many parts to these engines, generators and water purification systems that could shoot the whole day if something went wrong with them.
“Everything is engineered to work, but not to last,” said Kovacs.
This unit has excellent leadership across the board, said Kovacs. Its Marines are ready to accomplish the mission and work until their goal is completed.
CLC-16 is always ready to take on any mission that is thrown at it, and supporting WTI is no different, said Kovacs.