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Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco, left, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and senior leaders from the Naval Aviation Enterprise and 3rd MAW listen to a brief about Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 16 during the “Boots on the Ground” event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., April 5. “Boots on the Ground” allows senior leaders the opportunity to tour squadrons, meet with maintenance personnel and discuss how to better support aviation readiness requirements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alissa P. Schuning/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Alissa Schuning

NAE leadership visits MALS-16 during “Boots on the Ground” event

5 Apr 2016 | Cpl. Alissa Schuning 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Leaders from the Naval Aviation Enterprise visited Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 16, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 16, during “Boots on the Ground” aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, April 5.

‘Boots on the Ground’ allowed senior leaders the opportunity to tour squadrons, meet with maintenance personnel and discuss how to better support aviation readiness requirements.

“During ‘Boots on the Ground,’ we bring senior Navy and Marine Corps leaders in to come to a Marine Aircraft Group and a MALS to look at all the things they are working on,” said Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, deputy commandant of Marine Corps Aviation. “[We look at] some of the challenges they are having in meeting the Marine Corps’ force in readiness requirements … and see what [the NAE] can do to help out.”

The NAE is a partnership between supported and supporting stakeholders led by the Navy and Marine Corps. They are charged with sustaining required aviation readiness and advancing future warfighting capabilities in the most cost effective way.

“The Naval Aviation Enterprise’s sole purpose is to [meet] required readiness for naval aviation forces,” said Davis. “We work as a team and talk all the time; but talk is cheap. Getting results is what matters, and our target is meeting our readiness goals for the Marine Corps.”

According to Davis, “Boots on the Ground” plays a vital role in helping the Marine Corps reach those goals.

During the event, enlisted Marines in multiple sections gave briefs to senior leaders while they toured MALS-16. The briefs pertained to the successes and challenges they face that could benefit from the leadership’s help.

“We’re coming to the lance corporals, corporals, sergeants and staff sergeants to learn what makes their job hard or what they need to make better readiness and take it back and do our best to get it for them,” explained Davis. “It’s important to come here because this is where readiness starts, out here on the flight line.”

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