MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- East Miramar is the primary training area for Marines aboard the air station, accessed by a network of paved or gravel roads crisscrossing its thousands of acres of grass and shrub-covered hills.

That network of roads was severely damaged by unusually heavy rains that washed across Southern California last year and Marine engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, began road repairs April 18.

"East Miramar roads are constantly being used for training such as seven-ton or Humvee licensing, fun runs and by the firefighters responding to emergencies and fires," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Steven B. Peralez, officer in charge, Heavy Equipment Section, MWSS-73. "The roads were in bad shape. They had deep ruts, making them impassable. By fixing and repairing them, everybody benefits."

The improved roads also benefit the Marine heavy equipment operators who are improving their skills while providing immediate upkeep to Miramar.

The project also gives the Marines, who normally don't get to utilize earth-moving equipment in garrison, the opportunity to do so, according to Peralez, a Dallas native.

"This is a very different operation here. Rarely do we get the chance to train with earth-moving gear on Miramar. Normally we're limited to doing it on deployments," said MWSS-373's Sgt. Jose N. Duran, noncommissioned officer-in-charge for the road repairs. "It's a great opportunity for the operators to get a feel for the gear, especially the (road) grader, because there are so many controls on it and so many things you have to look out for."

Experience is the key to operating the equipment and building a good road, so it doesn't get washed out again, according Lance Cpl. Josue G. Benoitgalan, a heavy equipment operator with MWSS-373.

"I have repaired roads before in Korea, but the terrain problems here are much worse," said Benoitgalan, a Miami native.  "The roads were in pretty bad shape before, and the rains made it a lot worse because the previous roads were graded flat and had no ditches. This made the water create little creeks that eventually washed the road out.

"One spot is so bad that we're going to have to cut into a hill and reroute the road," he added.

The entire repair project encompasses one and a half miles of repairs on two separate roads performed by five heavy equipment operators, moving and compacting tons of earth and rock.

Having the road available is crucial to operations aboard the air station, according to Duran.

"Our deadline for completion of the project is May 24, just in time for the firefighters to have complete access to the area in June, which is fire season," Duran said.