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    Photo By Cpl. Joshua Pettway | Lance Cpl. Ricardo Mims, a boat refueler with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron,...... read more read more

    BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES

    11.04.2010

    Story by Lance Cpl. Joshua Pettway 

    Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

    Fightertown is no different from the human body, which is composed of many operating parts. The heart and soul of the Air Station is the aircraft and maintainers aboard it, while the fuel used by the aircraft and vehicles could be considered the blood.

    “Station Fuels is extremely vital because without fuel and good quality assurance of fuel, the aircraft can’t fly and perform their mission,” said Sgt. Thomas Schultz, the day crew leader for Station Fuels with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.

    The goal of Station Fuels is to supply every motor vehicle and aircraft on the Air Station with fuel, according to Lance Cpl. Ricardo Mims, a boat refueler with H&HS.

    “The fuel really is the lifeblood of the Air Station,” said Sgt. Lorenzo Lewis, a bulk fueler with H&HS. “Everyone depends on us to provide them with quality fuel so we have to make sure everything is taken care of each step of the way.”

    Station Fuels supplies three different types of fuel used by the entire Air Station, from JP-5, aircraft fuel; MOGAS and diesel. Once the fuel is delivered to the Air Station the service members and civilians of Station Fuels execute various safety precautions to avoid spilling the fuel into the environment.

    Once the fuel arrives, a sample of it is then taken to the laboratory to have the temperature and purity tested. The combined contaminated fuel detector, used for locating water, dirt and debris, detects impurities by using a special wavelength of light to highlight the polluted fuel.

    All fuel is tested in 24-hour intervals to ensure that it is usable. Fuel becomes unusable if it does not combust at certain temperatures or is polluted with water, dust or debris, according to Pfc. Charlie Thomas, a motor transport operator with H&HS.

    “There is no leeway with the test, it’s either pass or fail,” said Schultz.

    Once the fuel passes the test, it is then stored safely to ensure it is ready for transport.

    Ensuring that the Air Station receives all the fuel it needs in order to operate is completely up to the civilians and service members of Station Fuels. The task takes time and members of Station Fuels work every day in three shifts to stay operational 24 hours a day.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.04.2010
    Date Posted: 11.04.2010 17:00
    Story ID: 59442
    Location: BEAUFORT, SC, US

    Web Views: 52
    Downloads: 5

    PUBLIC DOMAIN