MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The man responsible for developing and implementing the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron concept visited the air station Oct. 26 to tour the MALS that received his name-sake award this year.
Retired Col. Donald E. Davis, former head of Aviation Logistics Support Branch at Headquarters Marine Corps, toured MALS-11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Air Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, work sections to see first hand the hard work that earned them the 2009 Donald E. Davis Award, which recognized them as MALS of the year.
“I think they’re first class, significantly better than anything I’d seen in the past,” said Davis. “I’ve seen the MALS improve over the years. Back in the old days, aviation logistics support never really had a doctrine, but now it has the necessary visibility, proper creativity and technology. It is a prime ingredient of Marine aviation.”
Davis helped create the current concept of a consolidated squadron, focused on aircraft maintenance, supply, ordnance and avionics to keep pace with the expeditionary needs of the Marine Corps. He led Marine aviation to make the transition from the headquarters and maintenance squadrons developed in the 1960’s, to the MALS known today.
“It was a good way for him to see the hard work the Marines here have done,” said Cpl. Charles J. Wood, an AIRSpeed core team member with the squadron known as the “Devilfish.” “His vision he had years ago is alive and improving with our work.”
Davis visited aviation electronics, aviation supply, power plants and other elements of the MALS. The Marines explained how they operate their sections and how they have improved efficiency with maintenance, categorization and decreased turnaround time.
“I thought it was very appropriate to see a MALS that received an award named after him, to see the fruition of his vision,” said Lt. Col. Cliff D. Chen, the Devilfish’s commanding officer. “He created a career path along with creating a new logistics concept.”
Davis’ left the air station having seen his ambition of a structured aviation logistics organization fulfilled in the form of the Devilfish.
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