Airman fuels the fight, breaks Bagram record

Photo By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez | Staff Sgt. Michael Baker, 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels specialist, pulls a fuel hose to a waiting aircraft at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Nov. 14. Baker, deployed from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., is trying to break the record for most fuel pumped in a deployment rotation.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

11.27.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez 

455th Air Expeditionary Wing   

By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Fuel the fight - that's what Staff Sgt. Michael Baker does everyday as a fuels specialist for the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Two months in to his four-month deployment, Baker has broken three fuels records - most gallons pumped in one week, most gallons pumped in one month and fastest to pump 1 million gallons.

"It helps the days go by quicker if I am working hard," said the sergeant deployed from Minot Air Force Base, N.D.

Baker pumped 610,487 gallons of fuel in October, breaking the previous monthly record by 73,737 gallons. With more than half a million gallons under his belt in one month, it didn't take long for the Vancouver, Wash., native to break the million gallon record. On Nov. 14, he surpassed this milestone while refueling a C-130 Hercules. It took him just 58 days, three days faster than the previous record holder.

"Staff Sgt. Michael Baker is an outstanding Airman who personifies the values of Service before Self and Excellence in all we do," said Lt. Col. Gregory Vaughan, 455th ELRS commander. "His accomplishment of reaching 1 million gallons pumped in a record of just 58 days is indicative of his dedication and professionalism."

Baker pumped a majority of the fuel on the close air support side of the flightline.

"I normally do the fighter jets - they call and need the gas so they can get up and go," he said. "I get job satisfaction from accomplishing something that means something to somebody else."

With three records already under his belt, Baker is setting his sights on a fourth.

"The most pumped in a rotation is 1.6 million; I should have that next month," he said.

In addition to pumping so much fuel, Baker has been able to reach out and help others.

"Sgt. Baker volunteers for a number of organizations here at Bagram," said Vaughan. "He has volunteered for a total of 75 hours to the USO, Red Cross, Operation Care, Craig Hospital and MWR sponsored events. He is a driven individual helping to build a free Afghanistan."

Baker said it is all in a day's work.

• Date Taken: 11.27.2008
• Date Posted: 11.27.2008 06:15
• Story ID: 26871
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF