Inspections occur throughout the Marine Corps each day. Some are for appearance, image and discipline. Others, such as maintenance inspections, are for the well-being and safety of a Marine's operating equipment.

The maintenance Marines of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, perform inspections on and provide upkeep to the aircraft of the squadron everyday at Miramar.

"We usually service a jet every two to three days," said Lance Cpl. Billy Starky, powerline mechanic with the 'Red Devils' of VMFA-232. "The amount of time it takes for each (aircraft) depends on if something is broken on a jet or not."

Although safety for the pilot and other Marines is the primary reason for the frequent maintenance to each jet, it is not the only reason.

"The reason why we do it is not only for the safety of the officer flying the jet or everyone else," said Starky. "The reason why we do this is to get a good feel for what the aircraft needs so we can fix the problem."

"If we didn't do our job it could cause tremendous damage," he added. "Safety wouldn't be good at all and a lot of people could be injured or killed."

According to Staff Sgt. William E. Bader, maintenance control, VMFA-232, inspections have to be done and made on time or worse things could happen.

"If (inspections) are not done and something critical happens, say a component cracks and we don't inspect it for 200- to 600- hours, it is a catastrophe waiting to happen," said Bader. "Engineers complete inspections all the time and on time. We've found cracked and worn components on several occasions. We take those components and turn them in to get new ones back, which go back into the aircraft."

"If everything goes right, it can take three to four days to complete (an inspection)," the Noblesville, Ind., native added. "If there are any major discrepancies, it could take as long as a week or two."

Although these inspections must occur every 200 flight hours for each jet, Marines treat it like taking a car in to get an oil change.

"For each jet, we actually do a major inspection," said Starky. "We look for major wears or tears on the landing gear and anything else in the jet. It's a lot like taking care of your own car. You know how after your car gets so many miles on it, you take it in for inspection to get the oil changed and the engine inspected? It is the same way with a jet.

"We just roll a jet in here and look the whole thing over," the Cardington, Ohio, native added. "Basically, we take out and replace anything on it that will ensure the pilot is good to go."

According to Bader, the maintenance Marines of VMFA-232 unquestionably earn their keep through the job that they do.

"They work hard and definitely earn their money at what they do," Bader concluded. "Through their efforts we have been able to maintain a good readiness." [ANN Salutes Lance Cpl. James B. Hoke, MCAS Miramar]

FMI: www.usmc.mil