ATSUGI NAVAL AIR FACILITY, Japan — They’re a small group trying to uphold a mighty presence.

Nine Marines comprise the entire Marine Corps community on this roughly 10,000-person Navy base just outside Tokyo.

They can’t buy anything but black socks at the Navy uniform shop and have to remind sailors they have a different rank structure. But the small group performs a crucial function.

The Marines work in critical aviation logistics billets primarily for Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific, a unique command based at Atsugi.

They account for tens of millions of parts for Navy and Marine Corps aircraft around the Pacific, Asia and the Middle East. They locate the largest to tiniest components and ensure they get where they need to go to keep aircraft operating.

The nature of their jobs allows them to work anywhere, even a small Navy base. “All we need is access to e-mail and a phone,” said Maj. Clifford J. Landreth, engine manager and Marine liaison for the command as well as the senior Marine at Atsugi.

A staff job is good for a career, but it takes the Marines away from their element.

“The environment, it’s totally different than what I’m used to,” said Gunnery Sgt. Mario Artalejo, the command’s support equipment manager. “Marines don’t like being on staff.”

“It’s like being a fish out of water when we’re away from our Marines,” added Capt. Mike E. Hernandez, the aviation readiness officer.

“It’s traumatizing, you have to play nice with others,” said Gunnery Sgt. George R. Ellis III, in charge of quality assurance and customer service for the Defense Contract Management Agency.

They have many differences to overcome. Hernandez must remind people he’s a Marine captain, not a Navy lieutenant — both wear the same rank “railroad track” insignia. Gunnery sergeants correct those who call them “chief” — for chief petty officer. Both are E-7s.

Rivalries exist but largely for fun. Landreth keeps a musical keychain on his door that plays the Marine Corps hymn and plays it often, to the chagrin of the sailors working with him.

“We provide the motivation. It’s fun,” Artalejo said. “We like conflict. And they’re likely to give us conflict.”

He said the sailors in their office despise the days Marines lead physical training.

“The PT regiment is like night and day,” Artalejo said. “They hate it when I lead.”

Small logistical issues, such as a lack of uniforms, are handled by temporary duty and favors. Anytime someone travels to Okinawa or Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station for their jobs, they know what to do.

“Anytime a Marine goes anywhere he winds up with a shopping list,” Landreth said.

The Marines often find themselves the source of curious looks on the Navy base. People often ask them why they’re there.

They make sure never to slip into oblivion by almost always wearing Marine Corps clothing, and affixing Marine decals on their cars and Harley-Davidsons.

They also have a Marine Corps Society at Atsugi, created more than 10 years ago, for active-duty, Reserve and former Marines.

The society is responsible for the annual cake-cutting ceremony on the Marine Corps birthday, a Toys For Tots holiday present drive and Veterans Day events.

For the last toy drive, the group raised $3,000 and several hundred toys, far exceeding what they anticipated.

The Marines say that while they will appreciate eventually returning to the routine of a regular Marine base, they do enjoy living at Atsugi. “It’s a small family that we have here,” Landreth said.

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