It is the responsibility of cryogenics Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 to make sure pilots have the compressed oxygen they need so cerebral hypoxia is not an issue when flying more than 22,000 feet in the air at hundreds of miles per hour.

“We produce liquid oxygen and nitrogen, as well as the gaseous forms of both, in the purest forms possible,” said Sgt. Micheal Bell, a work center supervisor with the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 and a Laurel, Miss., native. “We allow no margin for impurities.”

The pure oxygen allows pilots to breath, ensuring they can support ground Marines effectively.

“When pilots are flying over [certain altitudes], the smallest amount of Argon, Helium or any impure gases can cause a black out,” said Bell. “Because so little oxygen is in the atmosphere when a pilot is flying, any bad air we might think is miniscule here, is a big problem that can cause the brain to shut itself down up there.”

In addition to producing pure oxygen for pilots to breathe, cryogenics Marines also produce liquid nitrogen to keep aircraft tires at the correct pressure during flights.

At 396 degrees below zero, liquid nitrogen is cold enough to shrink bearings to a size that will seat properly inside aircraft tires. The liquid nitrogen is even cold enough to solidify the brakes of an aircraft.

Liquid nitrogen also keeps heat-seeking missiles from turning and destroying the aircraft that fires them.

“Pure nitrogen form is very cool,” said Bell. “So when the rocket is fired, it spurts off a small amount of pure nitrogen across the bow of the missile, which lasts until it gets far enough away so that it won’t turn and destroy the aircraft.”

The cryogenics plant is open 24 hours a day for one week a month.

“Depending on what the squadrons need, we will produce [pure oxygen and nitrogen] to keep up with demand,” said Lance Cpl. Bruce O’Brien, a cryogenics equipment technician operator with MALS-11 and a Brighton, Mich., native. “We then store it here, fill up liquid oxygen carts, then use those to service aircraft. Then we give the liquid nitrogen tanks to the squadrons, and they’ll use those for their various needs.”

Cryogenics Marines ensure pilots are able to breathe to combat the damages caused by cerebral hypoxia – allowing Marines in the air and on the ground to focus on tasks at hand.

“Without oxygen you aren’t flying,” said Bell. “Without flying, you can’t support the ground troops. If you can’t support the ground troops, they can’t get the mission done.”