CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – With nearly seven months of overseas service complete, Forward Support Companies (FSCs) assigned to the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), “Task Force Mustang," 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, continue refueling operations for all U.S. Army aircraft flown across the Middle East.
Over half of an FSC consists of qualified 92F petroleum supply specialists, and are essential for refueling AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. They also train the other FSC members, regardless of rank and military operational specialty (MOS), to carry out refueling and resupplying capabilities.
Echo Company, “Elkhorn,” 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment, Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB), from the New York Army National Guard, is one of the FSCs attached to TF Mustang. These Soldiers occupy multiple forward arming and refueling points (FARP) across Central Command’s areas of responsibilities (CENTCOM AOR), to include supporting the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission.
To maintain operational flexibility, Elkhorn’s Soldiers undergo cross-training to perform a variety of duties beyond their primary roles. This training ensures that every aircraft requiring additional fuel and ammo is ready to return to the mission as quickly as possible. Additionally, assigned refuelers, mechanics, and drivers rotate duties between multiple outstations, setting up FARPs across Iraq and at the Camp Buehring headquarters.
Staff Sgt. Phillipe Zamor, an 88M, motor transport operator and FARP NCOIC under Elkorn Company, took lead of FARP operations at Camp Buehring during a joint gunnery range exercise. His team supported both, AH-64 Apache helicopters from 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, Attack and Reconnaissance Battalion (1-101st ARB), and UH-60 Black Hawks from 3-142nd AHB.
“It’s never the same personnel in the same position. We have 16 personnel who rotate responsibilities,” said Zamor. “Back at our home station in New York, we are used to fueling the same way. When overseas, we have to adapt.”
Even for just one training exercise, these technicians output staggering numbers of moving parts to keep aircraft fully operational. With the joint gunnery range exercise held over eight days, the FARP supported 26 flights, including eight AH-64s and 18 UH-60s, resulting in 64 hours of transporting and pumping 5,978 gallons of fuel.
Zamor further explained how he expects all of his Soldiers to be on alert as safety officers while conducting the refueling mission day and night.
“The message to the aircraft from the fuel truck is important and requires clear communication for safe fueling every time,” he added. “Back home we’d have more open space for easier control. Over here, T-walls are blocking our lines of sight. This is why everyone acts as a safety, especially during night operations.”
Every FARP ensures there are more personnel on-hand at night to pass clear messages between the fuel trucks, refuel teams, and the aircrews. With the noise levels generated by the aircraft engines and spinning blades, clear communication is vital to ensure everyone’s safety. Soldiers commonly use hand signals to indicate when to begin and end fueling process.
“The entire operation ran like music, it just flowed. None of this would’ve been successful without the NCOs and junior enlisted who are originally fuelers,” said Zamor. “Sgt. Lindsay Gravell was able to delegate tasks and confirm every aircraft fueled, while Spc. Daniel Connell focused on monitoring collective tasks and execute his technical skills for the FARP.”
Carrying 12 years of experience as a petroleum supply specialist, Sgt. Lindsay Gravell readily assisted non-fuelers and emphasized the importance safety in every aspect of refueling aircraft.
“You could have a hose leak at any time and the fuel trucks are top-heavy,” said Gravell. “It is important Soldiers know how to properly drive the vehicles because someone can take a bad turn. During hot FARP operations, helicopter blades are still spinning, making it extremely important to be aware of your surroundings.”
Gravell was stationed in Iraq for three months prior to arriving back to Camp Buehring. During her time in Iraq alone, Gravell pumped approximately 50,000 gallons of aircraft fuel.
She also noticed a significant change among the Soldiers she helped train, and commended Zamor for demonstrating his own improvements while leading a FARP.
“I am very proud of Staff Sgt. Zamor. He has really grown into a fueler since our training at Fort Hood,” said Gravell. “Listening to him talk about fueling now, compared to our time then, he knows what he’s doing. He and I were able to work well with each other, and it was an honor to teach him more about fueling and support his first ever FARP.”
Gravell also stated how the variety of helicopters to fuel was also a critical learning experience for everyone. On day one, more than half the team rarely ever fueled an Apache or Chinook, which required training over the different fueling techniques since the positioning and fuel line hook ups differ from the Black Hawk helicopter.
“The mechanics and fuelers of Echo Company all came together to get the mission done and everyone improved,” she added. “Every mechanic helped maintain our fuel trucks in addition to fueling with us. The entire group adapted well and they all fed off each other’s knowledge and specialties. Now, our mechanics can easily assist FARP operations anytime. I know I can count on them to complete the tasks of a fueler.”
Paramount to Elkorn’s success, 14 out of 32 Soldiers, who originally consist of 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanics, 92A Logistics Clerks, and 92G Food Service Specialists, received hands-on training from their junior enlisted.
Spc. Sasha Fogarty, 92F, petroleum supply specialist for Elkhorn Company, was one of those few who got do so, noting significant improvements of her unit’s capabilities.
"It's been a fun experience. The training we conducted throughout the whole deployment helped all of us become better as Soldiers,” said Fogarty. “Teaching someone else about our work has made me more knowledgeable in my MOS. It’s satisfying being able to fix and solve problems, while also guiding nonqualified fuelers.”
Fogarty looks back on their journey since their mobilization at Fort Hood, Texas, and shares how grateful she is for her team’s development.
“Our company has changed since our time at Fort Hood,” she added. “We all love working together. Learning each other’s jobs has drastically increased our proficiency as a unit. After we all arrived in Kuwait, we all got separated to support different FARPs with different roles, but we’ve always kept training and supporting each other when we needed it.”
Spc. Brandon Lucero, 91B, wheeled vehicle mechanic, never knew he would be cross-trained by petroleum supply specialists in his first deployment.
“At first, I thought it was going to be very complicated to become a refueler because of the paperwork and testing with the Aqua-Glo kits.” said Lucero. “I was also nervous with taking on the additional duty for this tour. But after receiving the classes and doing it every day, I got used to the tasks.”
Petroleum supply specialists carry out the vital responsibility of keeping aircraft fuel properly stored, tested, and ready for use, including maintaining the purity levels of hydraulic fluid and ensuring that water sources used in daily aviation operations are free from any contaminants that can also damage aircraft components or harm personnel.
Unlike fuel used for their trucks, JP-8 kerosene- based aviation fuel must remain clean and meet strict standards required for use in aircraft engines. Transported fuel tanks are frequently monitored for any unwanted moisture and sediments before any fuel goes into the aircraft. Millipore tests on fuel storage conditions are also done every 30 days.
Although fueling aircraft isn’t Lucero’s primary MOS, he and his teammates adapted to their assigned duties while stationed in Iraq.
“Being able to conduct a hot refuel while helicopter blades are still spinning has been a fun experience. The first aircraft I got to refuel was a UH-60M Black Hawk,” said Lucero. “I was worried at first because of how they arrive and land on our positions, but we always had a fueler there to help show us the routine. The hardest part was lining up and connecting fuel hoses to the fuel ports, but after refueling all the different aircraft types, it became second nature.”
Elkhorn Soldiers rotating back to Camp Buehring experience less hasty fueling operations and use their extra time to develop new skills through continued cross-training across the formation.
In turn, petroleum supply specialists receive in-depth maintenance and driver training on heavy expanded mobility tactical truck (HEMTT) and high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV or humvees) from the junior enlisted mechanics. From changing headlights, dump valves, and tires, to applying proper work orders and generator maintenance, these cross-trained specialists are always taking on the maintenance schedules together.
Junior enlisted Soldiers receive continued instruction from their senior leaders, to include classroom discussions and studies as part of preparation for their future Basic Leadership Courses. It is these opportunities where all Soldiers also get to teach and evaluate their peers over leadership principles and development.
While signing up for a position in the Army, Soldiers may not have expected to take on roles outside their specialty, but Elkhorn's success highlights how Army aviation support operations demand attention and necessitate Soldiers with diverse specialties to step up and fulfill crucial duties. The completion of the FARP mission is a testament to the adaptability and operational flexibility of the Soldiers of Elkhorn Company. Their overseas service showcases their readiness and ability to perform as a premier FSC.
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