Aircraft: TA-4F
Custodian: H&MS-31 OMD
BuNo: 154639
Modex: EX-01
Location: MCAS Beaufort, SC
Date: 1984
Photo credit: photo from SSgt Randy Toskin, USMC
Contact: D. Weber
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Description:
Remarks from Doug Bowman SSGT USMC (Retired)
This picture had to have been taken in mid-summer 1984 because it is on the section of the flight line adjacent
to the new maintenance building at MCAS Beaufort, SC. That is the VMFA-451 hanger in the background. Also, the
true custodian would have technically been H&MS-31 OMD, (Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 31 Organizational Department).
The name did not change to MALS (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron) until after the tactical air transition in 1987.
The Squadron had six aircraft and it is rumored that modex 04 was unlucky as two aircraft bearing that modex
number had crashed within two years. So the Squadrons aircraft was 00 thru 07 without 04. We received and
transferred several aircraft to the fleet as we had both TA-4F and TA-4J. Modex 03 was a bastardized aircraft
as McDonnell Douglas started to build this aircraft as an OA-4M and something caused them to change their
minds as it was finished as a TA-4J. Parts were a nightmare to acquire for this aircraft.
All of the Marines on the aircraft were members of the powerline/powerplants shop. The three Marines on top that
are seated from left to right are: CPL Samuel Desante, CPL Jeff Basil, and LCPL Woodson
The four that are standing are: unknown, CPL Asbey, SSGT Ward, LCPL Billy Batman.
Starting with the rear row of Marines standing on the deck from left to right:
1.Master Sergeant Martin Maintenance Chief
2.GySgt Ray Edge TPL/Tool Room
3.?SSGT Cox Ordnance SNCOIC?
4.CPL Cobol Ordnance
5.GySgt Fox Maintenance Control
6.CPL Kondoki Avionics
7.?
8.Sgt Gibson Seat shop
9.SSgt Mark (Mad Dog) Jones Metal Shop NCOIC
10.LCPL Jerry Sullivan Hydraulics
11.SSGT Douglas Beaudion Hydraulics / Airframes division chief
12.LCPL Rick Riggle Metal Shop
13.LCPL Ed Mullen Hydraulics
14.?CPL Tom Brown? Plane Captain
15.Sgt Bennet Palazollo Plane Captain
16.? Ordnance
17.?LCPL McCauley Avionics?
18.LCPL Wesley McConnell Avionics
19.LCPL Doug Bowman (me) Hydraulics
20.1stLT Gregory Wagoman AMO
The Marines in the bottom row from left to right are:
1.?
2.?
3.SGT Greg Guyer Metal Shop
4.SGT Glen Morgan Avionics
5.CPL Brian Barr Avionics
6.LCPL McKay Avionics
7.?
Flight Equipment
8.?
9.PFC Meese Ordnance
10.?
11.?CPL Arcee Avionics?
12.?
13.Gysgt Zietlo Maintenance/Material Control Chief
14.SSGT Pete Thompson Hydraulics
15.SGT Randy ???? Maintenance Admin
16.SSGT Randy Toskin Seat Shop SNCOIC
I checked into this unit as a PFC around September of 1983. I checked out to go to VMA-214 Black Sheep in June of 1985.
This was an awesome unit and I miss these people a lot.
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