POL

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman Laron Parks extracts a jet fuel sample to test for serviceability here April 8, 2010. The base injects a cleaning additive, plus 100, to the JP8 to help fuel burn cleaner, in turn reducing maintenance man-hours. Airman Parks is a 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels lab technician who hails from Fayetteville. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Gino Reyes)

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POL

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman Brian Rodriguez prepares to refuel an F-15E Strike Eagle here, April 8, 2010. During a typical day, fuels operators refuel up to 10 aircraft. Airman Rodriguez, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, hails from South Windsor, Conn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Gino Reyes)

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POL

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman Laron Parks attaches a pump to a fuel tank here April 8, 2010. Fuels technicians are required to test all fuels dispensing equipment for serviceability on a daily basis. Airman Parks, 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron fuels lab technician, hails from Fayetteville. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Gino Reyes)

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POL

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman Matthew Jones fills out a consolidation sheet while refueling his truck here April 8, 2010. All Airmen must record the amount of fuel they issue. This ensures a proper account of the more than 40 million gallons of jet fuel used at Seymour Johnson AFB. Airman Jones, 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, hails from Pittsburgh, Pa. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Gino Reyes)

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Fueling the mission

Published April 12, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Gino Reyes
4 FIGHTER WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron's fuels technicians provide the life blood for the base's F-15E Strike Eagles and KC-135 Stratotankers.

The fuels technicians pass a lot of gas, they pump 885,000 gallons of fuel a week and 46 million gallons a year. The Strike Eagle holds 3,200 gallons of fuel and takes technicians approximately 30 minutes to refuel. The KC-135 Stratotanker hold approximately 200,000 pounds of jet fuel and takes approximately two hours to fill.

A fuels management personnel's job is to receive, store, test and issue fuel to home station and transient aircraft, and also to provide ground fuel and cryogenic support for the win. These Airmen attend a six-week technical training school followed by six months of on-the job-training. After their training they are assigned to an operational specialty such as distribution, refueling maintenance and cryogenics. As the Airmen show progress through their career, they are moved to different management and administrative positions which include the fuels lab, training, mobility and support, the fuels service center and the fuels information support center.

POL is a very competitive organization that strives to be the best, said Chief Master Sgt. Dean Abbot. Everyone sees "big green trucks" on the flightline as they refuel aircraft and hears them at wing functions as they call out the squadron cry very proudly as one of their own is on parade. POL is a family and brotherhood all Airman would be proud to be a part of.