Unit employs state-of-the-art pump

Photo By Heather Johnson | Marines inspect a switch on a new fuel pump capable of moving 600-gallons-per-minute during an introductory training session at the fuel section warehouse on Camp Foster Oct. 12. The pump increases mobility, as it is towable by both a 7-ton truck and Humvee. The Marines are bulk fuel specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

10.27.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Kris Daberkoe 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Marine bulk fuel specialists trained with 21 new and improved fuel pumps, capable of moving 600-gallons-per-minute, during a one-day course at the Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 fuels warehouse Oct. 12.

Approximately 30 Marines from various bulk fuel units on island learned the different features of the new pump.

While the old pump and the new pump have many similarities, the new pump’s features increase the pump’s overall versatility, said Gunnery Sgt. Keith E. Dillon, an operations chief with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

“The new pump increases our overall operational capabilities,” said Dillon.

The pumps used by bulk fuel Marines must be moved by a vehicle.

“The older pumps were less mobile,” he said. “With these new pumps, we can attach it to 7-tons and Humvees, while the old ones can only attach to Humvees.

“This can save a lot of time,” he added. “If all the Humvees are tasked on a different assignment, we can always pull up a 7-ton, which is just one of the time-saving features.”

Another feature of the new pump is that its center of gravity is balanced, said Dillon.

“Having the weight balanced makes it easier to shift the pump into the right position,” he added. “This relieves some of the strain from the six or seven Marines moving the pump.”

The pump also comes with a feature that allows it to pass fuel into aircraft quickly after start-up, rather than having to wait for it to warm up.

“The quick start-up allows us to transfer fuel from the storage bladder to an awaiting vehicle without having to wait for the fuel to circulate through the pump,” said Cpl. Jacob M. Ward, a bulk fuel specialist with MWSS-172.

With the new pump’s design, bulk fuel specialists are able to monitor the rate of fuel flowing to a vehicle and fuel pressure while keeping watch over the hose feed.

“If there is ever a problem with the pump, a light will turn on showing us what and where it happened,” said Lance Cpl. Michael A. Miller, a bulk fuel specialist with MWSS-172. “The design of the pump will allow us to reach the problem easier than with older model pumps. The design is open in such a way that it lets us get to the guts of the pump with less hassle, and the course showed us how to get to those problem areas.”

The new pump allows bulk fuel specialists to enhance expeditionary capabilities, according to Ward.

“Some of the equipment models in inventory were made in 1984, and now this piece of gear is the latest addition,” said Dillon. “This new pump is a step further toward making bulk refueling more expedient and Marine Corps aviation more expedient as a whole.”

• Date Taken: 10.27.2011
• Date Posted: 10.26.2011 23:40
• Story ID: 79066
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP