CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan -- How does 3rd Marine Logistics Group actually support the Marines fighting on the ground in the Indo-Pacific area of operations? U.S. Marine Corps Col. Joon H. Um, commanding officer, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, and Col. Omar Randall, assistant chief of staff, mobility and operations, 3rd Marine Division, toured with other 3rd MARDIV senior leaders, on Camp Kinser, to answer that question.
The 3rd MARDIV personnel toured 3rd Maintenance Battalion and Supply Battalion, CLR-35 to see exactly what the different logistics units do to provide support to the fight.
Throughout the tour, the 3rd Marine Logistics Group and 3rd MARDIV leaders were briefed on the daily operations of the shops, ways they can make the repair and return of their equipment more efficient and numerous ways that they can receive support from the various logistics units.
“Synthesizing the use of the 3D printers, Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) software, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, and the Marine Corps Tactical Welding Shop, our innovators are capable of designing, fabricating, repairing and issuing needed parts," Um said.
General Support Maintenance Company has begun 3D printing small parts and pieces to many different things, to include Kevlar mounts, bolts and door handles, for fast disposable use while more permanent solutions are manufactured elsewhere. This gets the warfighters of 3rd MARDIV their equipment in working condition faster and gives support units more time to manufacture a better solution.