DLA Energy Aerospace Energy delivers liquid helium to Afghanistan

Courtesy Photo | Two bulk containers of liquid helium procured by Defense Logistics Agency Energy’s Aerospace Energy business unit arrive in Afghanistan. The liquid helium will be converted into gaseous helium for use by the Army’s intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance aerostat program. Photo by Andy Avila  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

08.22.2012

Story by Terry Shawn 

Defense Logistics Agency   

KABUL, Afghanistan - The delivery of two containers of Defense Logistics Agency Energy-contracted liquid helium into Afghanistan earlier this month marked the first time two large bulk containers of the liquid helium product were airlifted at the same time into the region.

After offloading, the containers traveled to DLA Energy’s helium defense fuel support point, where the liquid will be converted into gaseous helium for use by the Army’s intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance aerostat program.

“Supporting the Army's continuing surge of aerostats in Afghanistan has been a challenge since the Pakistan ground line of communication closure back in December 2011,” DLA Energy’s Aerospace Energy business unit Director Sharon Murphy said. “However, this successful airlift was a huge team effort by a lot of folks: my Aerospace Energy Team here in San Antonio; U.S. Transportation Command and its contractor, Volga Dneper; the DLA Energy Middle East Region; the DLA Support Team-A; and the DLA Energy contractor, Global Gases.

“The success of this mission has given DLA Energy an added supply assurance of being able to produce gaseous helium in Afghanistan in lieu of airlifting product in,” Murphy added.

Aerostats play an integral role in the combatant commander's ability to see the enemy and subsequently provide force protection, DLA Support Team Afghanistan Commander Army Col. Patrick Quenga said, adding that DLA Energy’s Aerospace Energy business unit is critical to the aerostat/force protection mission in the combat zone.

Once on the ground and after re-introducing a liquid nitrogen cooling blanket into the container to surround the liquid helium, the product becomes more stable and can be stored for a month or more as the liquid product is converted to a gaseous state, explained Dan Lerma, from the DLA Energy Aerospace Energy Customer Support Branch.

"As a DLA Energy deployer, it has been very rewarding knowing that our team has greatly contributed to the force protection for our troops,” DLA Energy helium liaison officer Andy Avila said. “The team's efforts have directly resulted in countless lives saved in Afghanistan.

“I am honored and humbled to be able to support the real heroes out here," Avila added.

The product received with this delivery is expected to produce more than 1 million cubic feet of gaseous helium.

“The additional days of supply this liquid helium gives us will allow us to continue to meet the warfighter's requirements as the Army continues to deploy additional aerostats,” Murphy said.

• Date Taken: 08.22.2012
• Date Posted: 09.05.2012 17:10
• Story ID: 94260
• Location: KABUL, AF