A car sits at the new tactical/bulk issue fuel point center on Frazier Road. The fuel facility is a part of nationwide system that aims to make it easier for units to draw fuel. A fuel account with the Defense Logistics Agency is required to use the ...

Two new fuel facilities opened for business Monday.

The contractor-owned, contractor-operated facilities are a part of a nationally run system by the Defense Logistics Agency that aims at making it easier for units to fuel up.

"This is the Army's concept of the future," said Mike Lineberger, director of Fort Knox's Logistics Readiness Center.

The way it works is that a unit creates a fuel account with DLA, receives a vehicle identification link key and then can go to the COCO fuel facility and fill up. Lineberger said this system reduces the requirement of filing paperwork to transfer funds for fuel.

Lineberger compared the VIL key to a credit card. Units take the key with them to other military installations.

He said units and Soldiers stand to benefit the most from this new facility as it will be easier to draw fuel. At the facility, all they have to do is pull in and use their VIL key.

The transition to this system has been going on for the last eight years, Lineberger said. Other military installations around the country are implementing it.

Anthony Black, the fuel contractor officer representative, said the project at Fort Knox has been in the works for four to five years.

The current fuel station will remain operational for about 30 days. Lineberger said units need to set up their accounts in 20 days. If they don't, units will be "out of luck" once the current fuel station closes, Lineberger said.

To set up an account, contact Black at (502) 624-3131. It takes about five days to receive a VIL key.

Units can draw fuel at two facilities. The nontactical/retail facility is open 24 hours a day at Bldg. 7330 9th Cavalry Regiment Avenue. The tactical/bulk issue is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m at Bldg. 2796 Frazier Road.