Airman sets 2018 base fueling record
By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
/ Published November 28, 2018
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Christen Curry, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, set an aircraft refueling record for 2018, here.
By executing his day-to-day mission and putting in extra hours supporting air operations, Curry managed to refuel aircraft with more than one million gallons of jet fuel during the month of October – a feat considered rare in the fuels community.
“His complete total is approximately three million gallons so far,” said Staff Sgt. Branden Holmes, 379th ELRS night shift distribution supervisor. “The significance is he’s the first person on this rotation to accomplish it. No one on the last rotation accomplished it either.”
Curry said that he’s proud of his milestone because he knows the work he puts in plays a critical part in U.S. Air Forces Central Command’s operations.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that I’m fueling the mission,” said Curry. “Whatever jet I fuel is affecting something real world. I feel very accomplished.”
Holmes identified Curry’s home station experience and good attitude as major factors in attaining Al Udeid’s 2018 fueling record.
“I challenged him at the beginning of the rotation to out pump everyone on the last rotation and he didn’t shy away from it,” said Holmes. “He’s just a go-getter and he’s used to it. He stands out and achieves more than the standard set for him.”
Curry, having made his mark at Al Udeid, has no plan to slow down and said he encourages other Airmen to strive to excel.
“Go above-and-beyond. Take that extra step to do a little bit more,” he said. “People see it and notice it. Don’t stop.”