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POL advisor keeps Iraqi military moving

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarrod R. Chavana
  • U.S. Air Forces Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraqi --  As someone walks into the 821st Expeditionary Training Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants classroom they will see desks, beakers, an analytical scale and other laboratory equipment that might remind them of a small high school chemistry class.

This POL class is advised by the U.S. Air Force, assigned as part of the Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission, but is instructed by Iraqi personnel. During this class the Iraqi students are taught how to test, measure and determine if fuel is contaminated with debris.

During the five day course the students are taught the "bottle" method as the most effective way to check for particles in fuel, such as dirt, metals and even water. Because contaminates can be potentially hazardous to aircrafts, vehicles and other equipments the fuel is used with.

They place a brown bottle on top of a stainless steel table and slowly pour jet propellant 8, the type of fuel used by the military, through a filter until the jug is nearly full. All procedures in the classroom are done systematically not only to test the fuel but to protect those doing the testing.

The reason a brown bottle is used is because it blocks ultraviolet light from possibly creating additives that can contaminate the fuel with gum formations, according to Tech Sgt. Kathleen Franklin, an 821st ETS petroleum, oil and lubricants advisor deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

Even the stainless steel table has safety measures to ensure complete safety. The table is grounded by electrical wire in case static electricity is generated through the pouring process, it doesn't ignite the fuel. On top of those safety measures JP-8, which is a kerosene-based fuel has additives such as a static dissipater, corrosion inhibitor and fuel system ice inhibitors.

"When fuel is poured through a filter or when its transferred static electricity builds up, so a static dissipater is added to keep it from possibly igniting," said Sergeant Franklin. "FSII is also added so that fuel doesn't freeze when an aircraft is flying at high altitudes."

The knowledge gained in this course will allow the Iraqis to use and transport fuel safely. It will further help maintain their aircrafts and tanks.

"Before the Americans started teaching this course we didn't have this information," said Saffaa Abd-Alteef, a student in the course. "We didn't know about FSII, or how to test the fuel and when I get back to my unit, I can take this information and give it to my people."

Depending on the amount of students, the class takes about five days to complete. Within this period the students learn how to test, measure and determine if fuel is contaminated with debris, such as dirt, metals and water. They can also verify what kind of fuel is in a cylinder by using temperature and weight.

"I can tell that the people before me put a lot of hard work into this course because the material and lessons being taught have been set to a standard," said Sergeant Franklin.
"The Iraqi instructor who now teaches the class is portraying the information to the students where they understand it. They are learning about why it's important to have quality fuel and how to run the test correctly. I believe we are making a difference and it shows through the successful test that the students are running."