DLA Energy Europe & Africa supports humanitarian mission

Photo By Dianne Ryder | On March 11, U.S. Air Force C-130J crewmen load their aircraft with the bags and belongings of displaced Egyptians flying from Djerba Zarzis Airport in Tunisia to Cairo, Egypt. These Egyptian citizens are among tens of thousands who have fled conflict in Libya to Tunisia, where a humanitarian crisis is unfolding. This C-130J, flown by the 37th Airlift Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is part of a contingent of aircraft from the 37th and the 26th U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit that are getting the evacuees home. Since the operations began, March 4, more than 750 passengers have been shuttled to Cairo. The airlift is part of a broader U.S. government effort led by the Department of State to deal with the crisis.  

FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

03.11.2011

Story by Dianne Ryder 

Defense Logistics Agency   

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - A Marine Corps KC-130 aircraft airlifted 45 Egyptian refugees from Djerba, Tunisia, to Cairo, Egypt, March 11, bringing the number of Egyptians transported to 835, according to a Defense Department news article.

The first flights began March 5 as part of the Egyptian government’s standing request with the United States to help Egyptians fleeing political unrest and violence in Libya return home.

The KC-130 aircraft flew from Sigonella Naval Air Station, Italy, to Djerba, where it loaded the passengers. Department of Defense officials said the U.S. planes will fly Egyptians home as long as needed.

The flights would not be possible without the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Europe & Africa team, which provides fuel to U.S. forces in Europe, Africa and northern Iraq, said Samuel Cooks, DLA Energy liaison officer to USAFRICOM.

“Our role here as an LNO is to … take the fuel requirements, identify them and match those requirements to the DLA capabilities, whether it’s through contracts or normal fuel support that’s provided to defense fuel support points,” he said.

DLA Energy Europe & Africa supports Naval Air Station Sigonella by pipeline resupply of jet fuel from DFSP Augusta Bay, Sicily. U.S. Department of Defense access and use of the pipeline is governed by a DLA Energy international agreement with the Italian air force.

The USEUCOM Joint Petroleum Office, the USAFRICOM JPO and DLA Energy Europe & Africa are conducting contingency fuel support, planning and posturing in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, which provides humanitarian assistance to people who fled Libya amid mounting violence, Cooks said.

“On a personal level, I’m amazed at the level of input that I can have to help facilitate something like this … and extend support to other nations; it’s pretty gratifying,” he said.

DLA Energy Europe & Africa representatives continue to work alongside combatant command planners to ensure responsive fuel support in the area, initiating Web-based bulk petroleum contingency reports for selected defense fuel support points in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, Cooks said.

In addition, LNOs are working with operational officials to forecast fuel demand for the operation.

“The most notable thing DLA Energy Europe & Africa has done so far … is to analyze DFSP inventory postures and adjust scheduled resupply in coordination with [DLA Energy’s] tanker branch and DLA Energy Operations," Cooks said.

“This change in the tanker schedule will bring inventories to maximum capacity at DFSPs Augusta and Marathi and provide greater flexibility to support airfield operations as well as fleet replenishment options for U.S. naval forces,” he said.

• Date Taken: 03.11.2011
• Date Posted: 03.22.2011 12:46
• Story ID: 67541
• Location: FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US