Since October 8, 2017, the Petroleum Oils and Lubricants management office, made up of Airmen from the Alabama, California, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire and Tennessee Air National Guard as well as the 156th Airlift Wing, have been responsible for maintaining equipment and trucks in order to re-fuel and de-fuel aircraft, vehicles and generators here at the base.
Using local contractors fuel hoses, the team established a fuel point that serves to fill fuel trucks for flight operations. After initiating a $285,000 contract acquiring Jet-A fuel and a hose cart from civilian contractors and the Defense Logistics Agency the wing quickly achieved full operations.
“I think it’s the creativity and the skills and talents of our guys that make something like this happen,” said Tech. Sgt. Travis Powers, a fuels specialist for the 134th Air Refueling Wing, MgGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tenn. “This is something that is unique to the Air Guard!”
To date they have fueled more than 203,363 gallons of fuel to more than 123 military aircraft, over 50,000 gallons of jet fuel to contracted local airport aircraft and 3,156 gallons of gas for military vehicles and generators.
After coordinating to put a new tank in use for the sudden rush of activity, the team was soon at full capacity after they received 15,760 gallons of fuel. Fuel is what powers the majority of the electric generators responsible for allowing the base to operate and send members to help with Puerto Rico relief efforts.
“It feels really good to help people that need help,” said Master Sgt. Brian Janssens, a fuels information service center supervisor with the 175th Wing, Maryland. “I wish we were able to do more, but what we are doing is important and really does help!”
The fuels specialists team is responsible for restoring the 156th fuels service station communications equipment that allows for remote accounting of distribution.
This team of skilled technicians also resurrected an R-11 refueling pump by capitalizing, refurbishing and reusing parts from other units that was previously broken.
The efforts by every member of the 156th POL has not gone unnoticed and continues to directly support the missions of relief and recovery of the puerto Rican community they serve.
Date Taken: | 11.17.2017 |
Date Posted: | 11.17.2017 16:12 |
Story ID: | 255734 |
Location: | MUNIZ AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, PR |
Web Views: | 132 |
Downloads: | 1 |
This work, The Air National Guard Fuels the Forces that Serves Puerto Rico, by MSgt Darin Hubble, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.