MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- It's going to be a messy job, but someone has to do it. A lance corporal puts on a protective suit to keep the greasy black oil away from his freshly washed digital utility uniform. An old troop transporter has just arrived, and to prepare the vehicle for cannibalization of its parts, it is to be mummified, and have the liquids, which kept the vehicle running all those years, exhumed from the body. He grabs the wrench and loosens the plug, he has his oil container prepared and he's ready for the rush of fluid. He turns and pulls. The lubricant starts to flow. All of a sudden, whoosh! A gust of wind has blown and oil has just sprayed everywhere. It is at this moment that the lance corporal stands up, grabs a rag and exclaims, to the rest of his fellow warriors, his extreme frustration experienced while performing his oil draining duties.The Sage Oil Vac, a piece of equipment invented for the use of draining fluid found in machines with combustible engines, is being used by the employees of Cost Work Center 850 to drain old vehicles of their oil, anti-freeze, hydraulic and radiator fluid, said Greg Johnson, acting branch head of Maintenance Branch and Fleet Support Division.The Sage Company originally invented the vacuum to be used with farm equipment, but after the military saw the huge benefits with using them, a government contract was drafted. The vacuum was purchased after Johnson received information on it, and decided it would be an environmentally sound piece of equipment."In a joint effort, after telling Pat Dillow of the environmental office about the machine, she agreed for us to use pollution prevention dollars to purchase it," Johnson said.Before the machine came to CWC 850, oil spillage was almost a common occurrence for the employees at Strip 8, said Johnson. Also, when units come to Strip 8 from other Marine bases to get parts, they appreciate it when they do not have to empty a tank before removing it."When old equipment comes in, we put the vacuum in and clean it out, before we even move it to be stored." Johnson said.In order to actually drain the liquids out, the vacuum came with an assortment of attachments that can be used to fit in almost any opening, and can attach to the suction tube just by inserting it into the open end, said John Bailey, material handler for CWC 850. There is even an attachment, which can be used to take out anti-freeze, by creating an airtight seal on the tank.For the machine to be able to take out the fluid, Bailey says he gets the power up to 22 pounds of negative air pressure. Once the vacuum gets to that point, he turns it off, and lets the vacuum guzzel the oil without having the motor on.Though the vacuum is quite convenient for changing oil and draining fluid, there is another aspect, which makes it quite helpful, said Bailey."I would have to say that mobility is the greatest thing about this piece of equipment," Bailey said.Since purchasing the vacuum, the pay off has been incredibly beneficial, said Johnson. Now, when unserviceable vehicles or discontinued vehicles come to Strip 8, they can be drained of all their fluids before being put into storage. Having the Sage Oil/Vac has had an impact on efficiency and the environment.