Amid the roaring engines and the complexity of maintaining modern aerial war machines, Sergeant Alyson Stapleton plays a vital role. As an Aviation Life Support Systems mechanic, her work ensures the safety and effectiveness of Marine Corps aircraft by meticulously leak-checking components such as the bleed air pressure regulator (BAPR). In a recent show of mentorship at the Marine Aircraft Group 41, she guided Lance Corporal Natalia Ridenour through the intricacies of detecting faults, a process vital to mission success.

Photographed by SSgt Eric Kilpatrick, the exercise was more than a routine check; it was a passage of crucial knowledge. According to NAS JRB Fort Worth, this leak checking is conducted while the engine is operating, teaching Ridenour not only where to inspect but also how to feel for leaks coming from the BAPR.

The responsibility of Aviation Life Support Systems mechanics cannot be overstated; they are the line between functionality and failure, life and death. Stapleton's expertise is not just in her ability to diagnose and repair but also in her capacity to pass on this knowledge. By training Ridenour, she is reinforcing a tradition of excellence that is synonymous with the Marine Corps Reserves VMFA-112, known as the "Cowboys".

These sessions, conducted under the assertive hum of the engines at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, exemplify the dedication these servicemembers bring to their roles. While the aircraft soar above, supported by unseen hands, the Cowboys of VMFA-112 ensure that every component, every system, operates at peak performance. Their maintenance routines, such as what was witnessed between Stapleton and Ridenour, are a testament to their unyielding commitment to the charge that has been placed, quite literally, in their hands.