An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .mil
A
.mil
website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
lock
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Skip to main content (Press Enter).
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
Leadership
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
About USINDOPACOM
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
2024 Banner Photos
Media
RESOURCES
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Useful Links
Newcomers
Resources
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
Contact
JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia Contact
JTF-Micronesia Leadership
JTF-Micronesia - news
JTF-Micronesia
JTF - RED HILL
Search
Home
Media
NEWS
Home
Media
NEWS
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
2024 Banner Photos
RESOURCES
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Useful Links
Newcomers
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia Contact
JTF-Micronesia Leadership
JTF-Micronesia - news
JTF - RED HILL
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
FF25: Blaze of Friendship
Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: B Co. 3-25 exfils Gimlets
BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
U.S. Air Force participates in Freedom Flag 25-1
Nimitz Conducts Search and Rescue Training
Staging
MQ-9 maintainers, planners integrate during Freedom Flag 25-1
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
Balikatan 25: 353rd SOW, Philippine Special Forces Regiment conduct static line jump training
Balikatan 25: MADIS initial live fire drill
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
Balikatan 25: Marines deploy NMESIS to Basco
Balikatan 25: JOTC Completes HELOCAST Insertion Training
Balikatan 25: MRF – D 25.3, ADF conduct air insert into Rizal
Night Shoot | Marines participate in a Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
B-1B Lancers arrive at Japan for BTF 25-2 Deployment
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
ROK, US forces showcase airpower ahead of Freedom Flag 25-1
Balikatan 25: 317th AW delivers varsity airlift to the Indo-Pacific
31st MEU | Fast Rope Sustainment
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
31st MEU | Jungle Field Exercise
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conducts flight operations in the Coral Sea
B-1s train with ROKAF, conduct flyover
Philippine and U.S. Soldiers Enhance Interoperability in Jungle Tracking Course
U.S., Indian joint forces conduct large-scale amphibious landing drill during Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025
Abraham Lincoln conducts flight operations
Yokota in full bloom
CFAS Hosts Sasebo Fleet Friendship Day
U.S. and Indian Armies strengthen alliances during Tiger Triumph
U.S. and Indian Armies enhance combat readiness during Tiger Triumph
USCGC Oliver Henry returns to Guam after successful transit post drydock
Joint Engineer Response team assess damage after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake
Joint Engineer Response team assess damage after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake
Salaknib 2025 - 2-11 Joint Sling Load Training
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
U.S. humanitarian disaster response
Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team performs at Avalon Australian International Airshow 2025
Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team performs at Avalon Australian International Airshow 2025
Joint Sling Load Operation Training between Philippine and US Army Soldier
>>>
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121’s Seat Shop Embodies Attention to Detail
08 August 2017
From Cpl. Joseph Abrego
Download
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Turning wrenches, checking operating systems, safety inspections and ensuring a last line of defense are all part of daily life as a seat shop Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121.
Safeguarding pilots on everyday flights through hard work, dedication and meticulous attention to detail earned the seat shop Outstanding Work Center of the Month for July 2017 within the squadron.
“On a daily basis I handle tool control,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alan F. Burgos-Carpio, safety equipment mechanic with VMFA-121. “I ensure that everything is accounted for and minimize risk by not leaving things out. I also upkeep ejection seat maintenance and focus on the canopy assembly.”
Egress systems are a critical responsibility for seat shop Marines as they encompass the canopy and the ejection seat of the aircraft.
“When we are preparing for flights, we do our prior and post operations inspections, which consist of looking over the canopy and ejection seat to ensure that everything is where it needs to be,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Katie M. Yetter, collateral duty inspector with VMFA-121. “We want to make sure that there’s no indication the explosives for the seat have tried to go off and make sure it’s all in the right condition for the pilot.”
Although the shop’s main focus is the egress system, they also work on environmental controls and oxygen systems.
“We also service oxygen,” said Yetter. “We service the backup oxygen supply bottle that the pilot uses to breath if the concentrator isn’t working and deal with pressurization in the cab. Correct pressurization makes sure that there’s no issues with hypoxia for pilots at different altitudes.”
Yetter said that ensuring quality work in the shop keeps aircraft and pilots in the fight and supports the overall mission at hand. She added that they play a big role in Marine aviation, and it’s nice to know their work doesn’t go unnoticed.
“We play a very important role in this squadron with the quality of our work,” said Yetter. “We ensure that nothing goes wrong, and in times of need, we make sure no one will get hurt.”
Seat shop Marines show the smallest parts can play the biggest role. They recognize their jobs importance and take pride in their work.
“My favorite part about being seat shop is that we are so invaluable,” said Burgos-Carpios. “Everything could function properly with the aircraft and at a moment’s notice something goes wrong, our systems are saving a pilot’s life. I take pride in knowing that I can potentially save someone’s life.”
News Archive
2025 (332)
2024 (956)
2023 (805)
2022 (1167)
2021 (1044)
2020 (1072)
2019 (1152)
2018 (1102)
2017 (1338)
2016 (1447)
2015 (1383)
2014 (892)
2013 (32)
2012 (4)
Guidance-Card-Icon
Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon