MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The world-renowned insignia of the United States Marine Corps is the eagle, globe and anchor. It symbolizes distant service under the American eagle by air, land and sea - representing our nation's interests "in every clime and place."

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, spent much of fiscal year 2004 serving the country admirably, highlighted by the squadron's deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a result of their performance, the squadron was named the 2004 Marine Corps Aviation Association Marion Carl Award winner for exceptional achievement by a Marine air wing ground unit.

"I am very happy about winning the award, because I personally know the Marines and Sailors put in a lot of work. That is the bottom line - I have never seen people work harder to get things done," said Maj. James B. Whitlock, operations officer, MALS-16. "What we did is something that hasn't been accomplished before by an aviation logistics squadron, as far as I know."

The squadron was forced to come together based on the Marines experience and knowledge to get their mission of supporting up to 213 aircraft - including every aircraft model in the Corps' inventory except for the F/A-18A Hornet, according to Whitlock, a Roswell, Ga., native.

"The deployment to Iraq made me realize what we're actually capable of doing. Before, I knew on paper what we were capable of doing," Whitlock said. "The bottom line is junior Marines turning wrenches and fixing gear, senior Marines guiding and directing and medical staff keeping us together got the job done, but by no means was it easy."

The road through 2004 was rough for the squadron, but was smoothed by the operating procedures already in place and followed by the Marines in the various sections of the unit, according to Staff Sgt. David M. Cox, ground safety manager, MALS-16.

"We had about 800 Marines spread between Al Asad, (Iraq), Miramar and Afghanistan, along with three Marine expeditionary units. Even with all the operations going on, we never missed a beat," said Cox, a St. Louis native. "These outstanding Marines did what they're supposed to do. The programs were in place, leadership supported them and they did the job.

"It was the small unit leadership, though, that made sure the job got done. The sergeants and corporals set the standards for the new Marines."

Along with the leadership and job skills provided by Marines across the squadron's ranks, there were a couple additional key elements involved with the squadron's success in 2004.

"I was in Italy and communication was paramount. I was getting calls from Iraq everyday for parts, then I would call back here for logistics issues, parts issues," said Master Sgt. Matthew J. Foster, production control chief. "Being that far away from each other, your tendency is to lose communication, stay in your own little world and you can't do that.

Everyone had the same mission to accomplish, and communication allows everyone to know what the other is thinking."

Foster added, even though the squadron earned the award by accomplishing their mission, they had a lot of help along the way.

"We sent a message out to the world asking, can you help us, and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing stepped up in a big way, along with the Marines over at Marine Aircraft Group 11," said Foster, an Escondido, Calif., native. "I feel proud. All of us did a great job to make it happen."