SSgt Kelly Jarrell, 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Distribution Supervisor, prepares to load fuel into an Aerial Bulk Fuel Delivery System at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, MI, May 19, 2021. USAF photos by SrA Aaron Irvin
AMC Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants Airmen pump fuel into a Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment mobile fuel bladder during Exercise MOBILITY GUARDIAN at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport, Oscoda, MI, May 18, 2021. The 210,000-gallon fuel bladder is designed to be used in an austere location to refuel aircraft and mobile fuel trucks. USAF photo by SrA Aaron Irvin
SrA Cody Crumbling, 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Operator, prepares to pump fuel into an Aerial Bulk Fuel Delivery System at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, MI, May 19, 2021. USAF photos by SrA Aaron Irvin
An AMC Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants Airman pumps fuel into a Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment mobile fuel bladder at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport, Oscoda, MI, May 18, 2021. USAF photos by SrA Aaron Irvin

Fuel Management: The Heart of Airlift and Aerial Refueling

By MS. LAUREN SCHATZ, STAFF WRITER

“Without fuel, the Air Force mission does not get accomplished,” said SSgt Garrett Huntoon, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Service Center Controller.

Fuel is an essential resource for Air Mobility Command (AMC) and the Air Force in times of peace, and if reserves run dry during war, there is no fight. To prepare for tomorrow’s high-end conflict, the Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants (POL) Airmen, who are entrusted with the transport, monitoring, and use of this extremely valuable asset, honed their skills at the recent MOBILITY GUARDIAN 2021 exercise.

The Mobility Forum took a closer look at what it means to be a POL Airman while on location at the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport in Oscoda, MI, on May 20, 2021. The group was kind enough to give a tour and rundown of their day-to-day duties, which revealed some fascinating, not to mention rare, equipment.

The main attraction, of course, was the massive Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment (FORCE) mobile fuel bladder. During the exercise, the fuel bladder contained approximately 100,000 gallons of fuel; however, it holds more than 210,000 gallons when full. To put it into greater perspective— the maximum transfer fuel load of the KC-135 Stratotanker is slightly under 30,000 gallons, so in an austere location, the fuel bladder could keep 7 KC-135s in the air. In comparison, smaller aircraft, like the F-16 Fighting Falcon, can hold around 1,000 gallons of fuel, fully loaded, so FORCE has the capacity to fuel up to 210 of them!

Talk about heavy—each gallon of fuel weighs in at 6.8 pounds, which equates to 1,428,000 pounds at maximum capacity. In addition to the enormous size and weight, FORCE held more interesting facts. For instance, one would think that more than 100,000 gallons of jet fuel sitting in the heat on a flightline might be cause for concern, but astonishingly, the precious contents remain a constant 62 degrees, even in the blistering sun.

All the equipment involved must be carefully monitored. Thankfully, safety is a top priority for the POL team, who are the best in the business. With jet fuel being extremely flammable, they recognize the importance of remaining sharp to ensure everything goes seam­lessly. Built-in safety precautions, such as several cutoffs, are in place as well.

Despite its large size, the fuel bladder, which is used to refuel aircraft or as a refueling station for mobile trucks, is surprisingly portable in terms of setup and usability. It is generally set up in deployed environments, negating the need to build hardened tanks or transport fuel trucks to a challenging location. This portability allows for fuel distribution anywhere around the world at a moment’s notice.

This maneuverability is essential for a concept known as ACE, or Agile Combat Employment. ACE is a concept designed with powerful adversaries, like China or Russia, in mind and involves spreading out and moving quickly when the need arises. It calls for multi-capable Airmen proficient in the many skills necessary to support air operations. Universal capability can be crucial for the rapid movement involved in ACE.

This possible scenario is why the setup of the equipment must be quick. The 2021 MOBILITY GUARDIAN allowed the POL Airmen to practice speed. Although this task typically takes 12 to 24 hours, the Airmen kept ACE at the forefront of their minds and completed it in only 9 hours—a tremendous stride toward this new strategy.

Before the fuel goes into FORCE, it must be tested in a lab for grade and quality. Usually, it is top quality, which would benefit the ACE environment if it is ready to go. If it does not have additives, however, it goes through an injector machine. Only a handful of these machines exist in the world. This state-of-the-­art equipment adds three separate items: (1) fuel system icing inhibitor, which is an anti-ice additive; (2) corrosion inhibitor for anti-corrosion; and (3) static dissipator additive (SDA), which prevents static buildup.

After going through the injector, the fuel then goes through filters to remove any impurities. Approximately 1,200 gallons of fuel can travel through the two filter separators per minute. For mobility, the fuel travels through a variety of hoses. For example, the R20 pumping unit comprises a total of four hoses: two 60-foot hoses and two 120-foot hoses.

The next time you are in awe of a gray tail flying overhead and its tremendous amount of power, think of the hard­working POL team, who help provide the readiness needed to carry out AMC’s mission anytime, anywhere.