Who is responsible for the internal and external preservation of all components prior to packing?

The responsibility for the internal and external preservation of all components prior to packing typically lies with the Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA). The IMA is tasked with ensuring that equipment and components are properly maintained and preserved during the maintenance process. This includes applying protective measures to prevent corrosion and damage during shipping and storage.

Preservation is critical in the maintenance and logistics processes, ensuring that items remain in good condition until they are needed for use. The IMA is specifically equipped to handle these tasks given their role in the maintenance cycle, making them the appropriate choice for overseeing preservation activities. Their functions often bridge the gap between routine maintenance and logistics, ensuring that components meet both operational and storage requirements.

The other choices, while involved in various aspects of resource management and quality control, do not specifically cover the hands-on preservation task as directly as the IMA. The Material Control Office focuses more on material ordering and inventory management, the Supply Officer deals with supply chain aspects, and the Quality Assurance Division primarily monitors compliance with standards rather than performing preservation tasks directly.