A student ground guide get set to direct a vehicle during the quartermaster culmination field training exercise June 17 at McLaney Drop Zone. The Soldier was one of a number of petroleum supply specialists who normally would “fall in” on equipment at the Military-in-the-Field training area located at the Petroleum and Water Department complex. McLaney provided a more realistic training venue. (photo by T. Anthony Bell).

Soldiers of the 262nd Quartermaster Battalion watch as a Black Hawk helicopter lands at McLaney Drop Zone during the quartermaster field training exercise June 17. The students practiced refueling the aircraft without fuel.

Staff Sgt. Bernard Hugison, a petroleum instructor, explains safety and refueling procedures to 92F petroleum supply specialist students during the quartermaster field training exercise June 17 at McLaney Drop Zone.

Staff Sgt. Bernard Hudgison helps Pvt. Jaelyn Belew, Uniform Company, 262nd Quartermaster Battalion to mock fuel a Black Hawk helicopter during the quartermaster field training exercise June 17 at McLaney Drop Zone.

FORT LEE, Va. -- Petroleum Supply Specialist Course students experienced an extra dose of real-world operations during the Quartermaster School Culmination Field Training Exercise here June 17.

The Soldiers convoyed out of Fort Lee's Military-in-the-Field complex - a range area with limited space for QMFTX troop maneuvers - to McLaney Drop Zone, a much larger site with greater potential vehicle interaction.

The additional training segment allowed the students to rehearse the steps for setting up a forward refueling point. As an added a training bonus, they had the use of a Black Hawk helicopter as an aircraft refueling prop.

First Sgt. Jeron Thompson from Victor Company, 262nd QM Battalion, noted there was no actual fuel used for the training event, but the opportunity to go through the steps in such an environment "added to the realism" that only a hands-on training experience could provide.

“This is definitely more realistic,” he said. “These Soldiers were able to get hands on the equipment, have fun and build the camaraderie and teamwork required to complete the mission.”