Fuels

Aviation fuel pulled from some of Tinker’s tanks is ready for testing in the Base Fuels Operations lab. “Water and fuel love each other,” said fuels specialist Guy Wilson. With water as their worst enemy, fuel is carefully tested many times from refinery to aircraft, also looking for other contaminants. Tinker’s fuels professionals must approve the quality of fuel before it can be pumped into a waiting jet. (Air Force photos by Margo Wright)

Fuels

“A lot of people think you just grab a truck and pump fuel (into an aircraft) and away you go,” said 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Base Fuels Quality Assurance Office fuels specialist Chris Albrecht. “There’s a lot to it.” Mr. Albrecht uses a refractometer to check a fuel sample for icing inhibitor, an additive put into fuel at the refinery to prevent any water in the fuel from freezing. (Air Force photos by Margo Wright)

Fuels

In an on-base lab, technicians scrutinize and test aviation fuel coming into Tinker and several times before it reaches an aircraft’s tanks. “It’s vital to the safety of an air crew and aircraft to have clean and dry fuel,” said Guy Wilson, foreground. Fuel must be room temperature to test so Mr. Wilson checks the thermometer in a sample while Chris Albrecht, background, performs other checks. Filters and tests reveal the weight of the fuel and how much water or contaminants may be present. Both men are with the 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Base Fuels Quality Assurance Office. (Air Force photos by Margo Wright)

Fuels

Fuels specialist Ken Gambill, 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Base Fuels Quality Assurance Office, carefully monitors the refilling of liquid oxygen into a portable tank that will be used by an aircraft’s crew for breathing oxygen. The liquid oxygen turns to a gas at -297 degrees so protective gear is vital. The fog seen is bleed-off of the super cooled gas. The Fuels Management Flight handles aviation fuel for all customers on Tinker as well as liquid oxygen, CNG, vehicle fuels and de-icing fluid. (Air Force photos by Margo Wright)

Fuels

A KC-135 is prepared for refueling on the 507th Air Refueling Wing’s ramp recently. The R-12 vehicle acts as a hydrant system, pumping JP-8 from the storage tank and refueling the aircraft faster than bringing in several trucks could. Fuels Quality Flight quality assurance evaluator Joshua Morris, far left, watches the procedure as Base Fuels’ Richie Richter and Airman 1st Class Daniel Balla of the 507th Air Refueling Wing finish the hook ups. (Air Force photos by Margo Wright)

Fuels Quality Assurance pros know much is at stake

Published Jan. 22, 2010
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- There's no room for carelessness in the 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron's Base Fuels Quality Assurance Office. Both lives and the mission are at stake.

The responsibility lies in the hands of five personnel who monitor the base fuels operations to ensure Tinker gets the best quality ground and aircraft fuel. They also ensure the work is performed in the safest manner possible.

"The 72nd LRS Fuels Quality Flight contributions to Tinker are critical," said John Rucci, functional director for the fuels quality assurance office. "The Air Force mandated the oversight of the 24-seven, 365-day contracted-fueling operations to ensure safe fueling operations and that clean, dry fuel is delivered 'on time' to the warfighter."

The office oversees the testing Jet Propellant 5 and 8 fuels, diesel and Gasohol Fuel Unleaded, an ethanol mixed gasoline, and liquid oxygen. Directly benefiting from the office's services are the 552nd Air Control Wing, 507th Air Refueling Wing, the Navy's Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons Three and Four; and the 3rd Combat Communications Group.

"Nothing goes without the hose," said Raymond Juré, 72nd Mission Support Group Fuels Management Contract manager. "Nothing is going to move without fuel. Planes can't fly without fuel. Vehicles aren't going to move, some facilities can't operate without fuel. The bottom line is by us doing our job they're able to do their job."

Stored outside Bldg. 250, the fuels are monitored by 60 Phoenix Management Inc. contractors, who are also responsible for receiving, issuing and accounting for the products.

Each year, the fuels management office receives and stores approximately 40 million gallons of fuel. Of that, more than 500,000 gallons are for ground fuel.

Joshua Morris, a quality assurance evaluator with the fuels quality assurance office, said approximately 10 tests are performed on fuel samples on a regular basis to ensure they are up to specifications.

Mr. Juré said the samples are pulled from different stages of receiving, storing and issuing the fuel. When fuel is received via pipeline, a sample is examined. When the fuel is set in a storage tank, another sample is analyzed. When fuel is removed and transported, the equipment carrying the fuel is studied. Samples are researched in accordance with Air Force guidance.

"There's always a small presence of water in the fuel, but it's making sure that it's under control," Mr. Juré said. "Each time the fuel moves from one place to another, it gets filtered and we make sure the filters do what they're supposed to and nothing gets passed them."

When samples are pulled, safety is a top priority.

Mr. Morris said both his office and the fuels management office are active participants in the Voluntary Protection Program, which encourages employees to brainstorm and practice safety to reduce the number of work-related injuries and illnesses. They also adhere to Air Force guidelines.

"We have high standards and we enforce those standards," Mr. Morris said. "Safety is one of our biggest standards out there. That's the No. 1 goal for us."