MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- While Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., is usually known for helicopters and fighter jets, there is a shop on station dedicated to the ground support utility vehicles the Marine Corps often uses.
The motor transportation maintenance crew of Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 can usually be found shimmied under a truck, staring up into the undercarriage, or hunched over between a hood and large engine.
“We fix everything, from small common repairs, like oil pan leaks, to larger problems involving engines,” said Sgt. Cory A. Purl, a motor transportation mechanic with MWSS-373 and a Plano, Texas, native. “Each repair can last anywhere from three or four hours to three or four days depending on the type of issue.”
The mechanics can regularly repair Logistics Vehicle Systems, Humvees and Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement or 7-Ton trucks. While there are approximately eight different vehicle types aboard the air station, the shop is authorized to repair more than 10 varieties of tactical utility vehicles.
Mechanics ensure every motor vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently to complete any mission through daily maintenance checks.
“Our job is essential to the Marine Corps,” said Pfc. Sean C. Pate, a combat vehicle mechanic with MWSS-373 and an Oolagah, Okla., native. “If a truck were to break down, Marines would not only not be able to get food, supplies and ammunition, they wouldn’t be able to get home.”
Due to the Marine Corps’ constant use of motor vehicles, even small problems such as oil leaks require detailed attention by the maintenance crew.
“While an oil leak is a small fairly simple repair, if it were ignored it could eventually cause serious motor damage,” said Pate. “Each and every repair has to be fixed as quickly as possible.”
With so much focus upon aircraft and aviation support aboard the air station, many Marines may forget the constant efforts of those supporting ground missions. The motor transportation mechanics of MWSS-373 work daily to ensure ground support utility vehicles are also ready for action at a moment’s notice.