Class IIIB, or bulk petroleum and oil, and the utilization of the FSSP allows commanders to get bulk fuel into resource-constrained environments with restrictive ground movement.
For the Army to maintain a balance between maneuver units and the delivery of fuel to the fight, pipelines, assault hose lines, and fuel bags are essential sustainment multipliers to winning large-scale combat operations.
“This enables combat readiness by allowing us to store, move, and distribute fuel,” said Lt. Col. Bryan Alexander, commander of the 61st Quartermaster battalion, 13ACSC, “It allows us to be able to do this quickly if needed through different types of terrain and over obstacles to reach the war fighter.”
The FSSP can store between 60,000 to 1.2 million U.S. Gallons of multiple types of fuel or water and can receive fuel from rail lines, pipelines, hose lines, or tank trucks directly.
This system has the capability of moving water or fuel at 350 gallons per minute, for an operation time of 20 hours based on configuration and mission requirements. This allows commanders to move fuel or water across the battlefield, enabling maneuver units to remain mission capable and prolong their operational times through Class IIIB or Class I sustainment support.
“We have to be able to continuously push forward during large scale combat operations (LSCO),” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Juan Vargas, a petroleum systems technician serving as the platoon leader with the 61st QM BN, 13ACSC. “We have the capability to push fuel through obstacles such as destroyed bridges or obstructed terrain. These types of employments are crucial to be able to keep up with the forward line of troops.”
This training allows fuelers to have hands-on, realistic training with native systems that provide a sustainment lifeline to the front lines, enabling troops to continue to dominate the battlefield.
“We’re all learning it together,” said Spc. Amelia Ramirez, a petroleum supply specialist serving with the 61st Quartermaster Battalion, 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command. “It’s all hands-on deck, our [non-commissioned officers] and our warrant officers are here teaching us and passing on their knowledge”.
Social Sharing