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Airman Breaks Air Force Refueling Record

By Senior Airman Ross M. Tweten, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs / Published April 21, 2008

Airman 1st Class Zechariah Coe, fuels distribution operator, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron watches the counter for JP-8 jet fuel being pumped into a KC-10 Extender as he breaks the Air Force record for the largest amount of fuel pumped in a month, Southwest Asia, Monday, February 25, 2008. Airman Coe took on every refueling opportunity he could to pump the more than 3,573,989 gallons of fuel that was required to break the previous record.
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Airman 1st Class Zechariah Coe, fuels distribution operator, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron watches the counter for JP-8 jet fuel being pumped into a KC-10 Extender as he breaks the Air Force record for the largest amount of fuel pumped in a month, Southwest Asia, Monday, February 25, 2008. Airman Coe took on every refueling opportunity he could to pump the more than 3,573,989 gallons of fuel that was required to break the previous record.

Airman 1st Class Zechariah Coe, fuels distribution operator, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron extends a fuel hose from an R12 Hydrant Servicing Vehicle to an underground fuel storage tank in preparation to break the Air Force record for the largest amount of fuel pumped in a month, Southwest Asia, Monday, February 25, 2008. Airman Coe took on every refueling opportunity he could to pump the more than 3,573,989 gallons of fuel that was required to break the previous record.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 3

Airman 1st Class Zechariah Coe, fuels distribution operator, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron extends a fuel hose from an R12 Hydrant Servicing Vehicle to an underground fuel storage tank in preparation to break the Air Force record for the largest amount of fuel pumped in a month, Southwest Asia, Monday, February 25, 2008. Airman Coe took on every refueling opportunity he could to pump the more than 3,573,989 gallons of fuel that was required to break the previous record.

Airman 1st Class Zechariah Coe, fuels distribution operator, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron connects a fuel hose from an R12 Hydrant Servicing Vehicle to an underground fuel storage tank in preparation to break the Air Force record for the largest amount of fuel pumped in a month, Southwest Asia, Monday, February 25, 2008. Airman Coe took on every refueling opportunity he could to pump the more than 3,573,989 gallons of fuel that was required to break the previous record.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 3

Airman 1st Class Zechariah Coe, fuels distribution operator, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron connects a fuel hose from an R12 Hydrant Servicing Vehicle to an underground fuel storage tank in preparation to break the Air Force record for the largest amount of fuel pumped in a month, Southwest Asia, Monday, February 25, 2008. Airman Coe took on every refueling opportunity he could to pump the more than 3,573,989 gallons of fuel that was required to break the previous record.

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SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Gas, gas, gas ...

Nope, this isn't a chemical warfare drill; this is what's been on Airman 1st Class Zechariah Coe's mind the entire month.

Airman Coe, stationed here from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., as a fuels distribution operator with the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, broke the Air Force-wide record for most fuel pumped in one month Feb. 25 when he issued 36,213 gallons, giving him a total of 3,580,489 gallons pumped, with four days left to go in the month. His final tally for the month and new Air Force record is 4,132,656 gallons.

"As far as my Air Force career goes, this is my greatest accomplishment," said Airman Coe. "It's good to know I'm on the top of the list, but I couldn't have done it without the non-stop support of my fellow operators."

Airman Coe said breaking a record like this is truly a team effort. Resource Controllers, Bulk Storage, Preventative Maintenance, Crew Chiefs, Expeditors, and the Fuels Lab, all had key roles in helping Airman Coe achieve his goal.

According to Tech. Sgt. Donna Smith, 380th ELRS fuels distribution, this record is huge in the fuels world.

"It can take as long as six months to pump one million gallons stateside," she said. "To pump over four million in a month is an astonishing achievement."

Airman Coe said he did run into some difficulties throughout the month, such as high winds and cold weather, but the reward of being recognized among his peers was worth it.

Airman Coe's job is straightforward; to fuel aircraft in a safe and efficient manner. He's done that, to say the least, and he now adds his name to the list of Airmen who are going above and beyond to help win the Global War on Terror.