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Deployed Airman ensures jet fuel is fit to fight

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chance Babin
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  As aircraft come and go seamlessly throughout the day and night, one deployed Airman at a base in Southwest Asia knows he has a direct impact on assuring the aircraft are flying with fuel that is up to the highest standard.

Staff Sgt. Abel Telles is the NCO in charge of the fuels laboratory for the petroleum, oil and lubricants flight in the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, and he is the primary person on base who tests all fuel that will be used by warfighters in the region.

"My job is to ensure that the aircraft receive clean and dry (free of water) fuel, and that fuel systems are operating correctly," said Telles, a Santa Maria, Calif., native. "When I say operating correctly I mean that fuel is not negatively affected while in our care, and if anything it becomes cleaner."

He has conducted more than 500 samples on two different grades of jet fuel since June.

"We are the source of more than 50 percent of fuel that is delivered by in-flight refueling in the [area of responsiblity]," Telles said. "That adds up to more than half a million gallons of jet fuel issued a day."

With his job comes the responsibility of assuring the fuel is up to standards. In addition to testing the fuel that arrives here, he tests each fuel truck monthly to assure it delivers clean fuel to the aircraft.

"My job is important because without the lab, who would ensure our aircraft are getting clean fuel that meets military specifications?" Telles said. "If bad fuel was issued to aircraft the consequences would be catastrophic. Planes could possibly go down, others could be grounded, and the soldier on the ground would not get the air support he or she needs."

As a logistics troop, Telles understands his mission fits right within the historical framework of supplying the troops.

"I love my job because I know how important it is to our ability to project air power," Telles said. "In history, an army's ability to have a successful campaign depended on logistics, such as water and food for the men and horses. Not much has changed, except now the horses drink jet fuel."

He takes great satisfaction in knowing the value of quality fuel and being a part of a team that ensures our warfighters have it.

"The camaraderie is second to none. We love doing our chant, 'who the hell? POL!'" Telles said. "We pride ourselves on the fact that we are the best in the world at what we do, and that is delivering clean, dry fuel to the warfighter."

Telles, who is stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., understands how his job fits into the larger mission of the Air Force as well.

"Without fuel, jets can't fly," Telles said. "Every aircraft that takes off from this base does so with fuel that was quality-checked and issued by POL."