MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Gear is always a major concern for Marines, as it is one of the life-saving factors in combat zones that they find themselves in again and again.

The Consolidated Issue Facility on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is responsible for equipping Marines and Sailors with the best gear available.

"We support over 9,000 Marines and Sailors on this station," said Mariano F. Lopez, assistant manager, CIF. "Our primary mission is to give them the gear they rate and need in a timely fashion."

According to Ken E. Wright, manager, CIF, gear is issued in accordance with individual unit requirements and tables of equipment.

"There is a kit set up for every unit," said Wright. "Mainly, everyone has the same kit, except station personnel.

"Station, not being deployable, gets a smaller kit, which is mostly the rifle range gear and consists of about 15 items," the Topeka, Kan., native, added. "All of the units deploying basically get all of the new gear. Any new gear that is being phased in will be issued out to any Marine and any unit that is deploying."

Marine Corps gear is constantly being upgraded and improved to provide Marines with more safety and better comfort.

"We still have a lot of the last generation gear," said Wright. "However, we now have the new lightweight helmet replacing the Kevlar. We have the (Improved Load Bearing Equipment) packs replacing the (Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment) and (All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) packs. We have new digital Gortex, first aid kits, gloves and fleece. We also issue (Small Arms Protective Inserts) out to military personnel now."

According to Lopez, CIF is also responsible for the accountability of all the gear it has in its possession.

"All of our gear is controlled through 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, so what happens if a Marine loses or destroys their gear is they will have the option of either purchasing their gear, going through a missing gear statement or voluntarily paying for the missing gear," said Lopez, a San Marcos, Calif., native. "If the Marine had some gear that was destroyed overseas or lost due to a combat environment, we usually let the commander make the call whether the Marine needs to pay for the gear or fill out a missing gear statement. We have control of all of the gear, but the commander still tells us what to do."

With four CIF's on the West Coast, shortage of gear is never a problem.

"There is a CIF in Yuma, Ariz., one here, and two at Camp Pendleton," said Wright. "Camp Pendleton is our main hub. Whatever gear we need, they make sure it comes directly to us. If we ever do get short on gear, we start pulling from the CIFs in our region. We are always keeping an eye on gear."

Although supplying all of the Marines currently stationed on MCAS Miramar can be a daunting task, the CIF stays focused on getting the needed gear to Marines as quickly as possible.

"Our main concern is to get deploying Marines their gear," said Wright. "We have to make sure that they get the gear they need and rate."