Colder than ice

Staff Sgt. Joseph Olejniczak, (right) 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron terminal operations technician, shows Airman 1st Class Michael Tipton, 4th LRS distribution technician, how to purge a liquid oxygen line before filling a container for transport on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Jan. 5, 2010. Liquid oxygen is used in aircraft during in-flight emergencies when the cabin loses pressure, so the aircrew can breathe. Sergeant Olejniczak hails from Santa Fe, Tenn., and Airman Tipton hails from El Paso, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Colder than ice

Liquid oxygen drains into an overflow container on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Jan. 5, 2010. Liquid oxygen is kept at negative 298 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, liquid oxygen can cause things to freeze in a matter of seconds making, the objects extremely brittle. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Colder than ice

Staff Sgt. Joseph Olejniczak, (right) 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron terminal operations technician, observes Airman 1st Class Michael Tipton, 4th LRS distribution technician, as he opens the pressure release valve on a liquid oxygen tank on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Jan. 5, 2010. The valve releases the oxygen that turned into a vapor from the tank to make room for more liquid oxygen. Sergeant Olejniczak hails from Santa Fe, Tenn., and Airman Tipton hails from El Paso, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Colder than ice

Staff Sgt. Joseph Olejniczak, 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron terminal operations technician, replaces a liquid oxygen hose cap after filling a tank on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Jan. 5, 2010. The cap protects the hose from contaminates that would make the liquid oxygen unsuitable for use in an aircraft. Sergeant Olejniczak hails from Santa Fe, Tenn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Colder than ice

Published Jan. 6, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Rae Perry
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen cover a vast array of jobs on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Not only do these Airmen ensure aircraft are fueled, they also control the base's supply of liquid oxygen. Liquid oxygen is used in aircraft during in-flight emergencies when the cabin loses pressure so the aircrew can breathe and land the aircraft safely. In order for oxygen to remain a liquid, it must be kept at negative 298 degrees Fahrenheit.