U.S. Army Pfc. Marley Luger (left), Sgt. Gregorio Coronel (left), and Pfc. Luger, Petroleum Supply Specialists assigned to Task Force NIGHTHAWK, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), approach an AH-64 Apache helicopter to begin a forward arming and refueling point operation, May 4, 2025. Pre-refuel coordination ensures safety and efficiency in deployed environments. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brianna Badder)

RUMALYN LANDING ZONE, Syria —The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), could not maintain their reputation as the Army’s premier aviation brigade without the dedicated fuelers in the ranks. At Rumalyn Landing Zone (RLZ), a small team of petroleum supply specialists (92F) exemplifies the world-class service the 101st CAB provides across the globe.

The importance of their mission is simple: nothing moves without fuel. Aircraft cannot launch, missions cannot proceed, and the Army’s ability to respond quickly and effectively would grind to a halt without the support of petroleum supply specialists.

Sgt. 1st Class Evans Asare, a petroleum supply specialist with years of experience, emphasized how essential their job is.

“Not just for the (101st) CAB, but for the entire Army, nothing moves without fuel,” said Asare. “Missions cannot be done without quality fuel, so our job is very important.”

U.S. Army Spc. Perez (left) and Spc. Isaiah Tavai, Petroleum Supply Specialists assigned to Task Force NIGHTHAWK, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), refuel an AH-64 Apache helicopter during a forward arming and refueling point operation, May 4, 2025. These operations enhance rapid response capabilities in support of mission readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brianna Badder)

At RLZ, fuelers work in a high-demand environment where timing and accuracy are everything. They are responsible for receiving, testing, storing, and distributing fuel to support a range of rotary-wing aircraft. Each mission requires precise coordination and attention to safety standards. Mistakes could jeopardize not only the mission but the lives of the crews depending on them.

Even under challenging conditions, morale remains high. According to Asare, the soldiers assigned to TF Nighthawk at RLZ have built a strong and reliable team dynamic.

“I couldn’t ask for a better team,” said Asare. “Everyone’s morale and spirit are high. They’re ready to do their job and do it effectively.”

Sgt. Gregorio Coronel, another petroleum supply specialist stationed at RLZ, shared how meaningful the mission has become for him, especially during operations that support life-saving efforts.

“My favorite part of being out here is when we do important real-world missions,” said Coronel. “It gives me a lot of pride during times like that because I think to myself, ‘Wow, my job matters.’”

Their teamwork is not just evident on the fuel line. During downtime, the team bonds through shared routines, meals, and recreation. The trials of being in a deployed environment have brought them closer. Over time, the team has grown from a collection of individuals into a cohesive unit that supports one another both professionally and personally.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force NIGHTHAWK, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct fuel measurement training, May 3, 2025. The training ensures accurate fuel accountability and maintains operational readiness in a deployed environment. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brianna Badder)

“We’ve been growing a lot closer as a team each day,” said Coronel. “We were a team that integrated from different squads within our platoon, so it took some getting used to. But now we all cook together, have movie nights, and have just come really close.”

In deployed environments like RLZ, where every second counts and the smallest detail can impact mission success, the work of petroleum supply specialists often goes unseen but never unfelt. The 101st CAB depends on them daily, and they continue to deliver quietly, efficiently, and with unwavering pride.