MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Upon arrival to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, visiting pilots can be guaranteed two things: the beautiful scenery of San Diego and premier service from the MCAS Miramar Visiting Aircraft Line.

The VAL offers services commensurate with that of commercial airlines, ensuring pilots, passengers, cargo, and aircraft are all prepared and ready for their departure or arrival from the air station, said Gunnery Sgt. Madeline Gonzalez, transient chief, VAL.

This is accomplished by using the two sides of the VAL.

The first side is the Traffic Management Office which takes care of such things as personal baggage, duty packs for deployment, homecomings and security screenings.

The screening that is done at VAL is in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration standards. 

This means that all rules and guidelines that any commercial airline would follow are adhered to by the VAL except for in deployment situations.

In deployment situations the VAL and the FAA allow servicemembers to carry certain, otherwise prohibited items, Gonzales said.

"Our biggest workload is when we have deployments and during the air show," said Ramon Alignay, civilian aircraft attendant, VAL.

The other side of VAL is the aircraft line. They handle the cargo of the aircraft, the nitrogen and oxygen filling and the parking and refueling of the aircraft. VAL has two mechanics who can handle minor work, but if there is a large issue they turn to the squadron mechanics because they are better equipped to handle those larger cases.

"All of our people are certified to handle hazardous materials in case of fuel and oil spills," said Alignay.

VAL also taxis out the aircraft when departing, and they have direct communication with the control tower to know when to send the aircraft on its way.

"Training is key on the flight line," said Lance Cpl. Junior G. Destinoble, aircraft attendant, VAL. "If people do not receive the proper training in this field, they could be seriously injured from one of the aircraft.

"Our main focus on the flight line is safety. Everything happens safely and professionally," Destinoble continued.

For VAL and its plethora of Military Occupational Specialties, the job is never done. Whether they are preparing for an air show or just going about their day-to-day routine, the VAL keeps visiting aircraft and personnel safe and comfortable.