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380AEW Article

Construction begins on new fuel pipeline at Southwest Asia base

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Construction began on a new 2.7-mile pipeline March 17 to bolster ground refueling operations for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at a non-disclosed base here.

The $5.7 million project calls for the construction of an above-ground 8-inch carbon steel pipeline from the existing tanker truck offload facility to the bulk storage fuels area operated by the 380th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight.

Capt. Timothy Frank, from the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron who helped coordinate the project, said it was awarded with 2009 military construction, or MILCON, supplemental funds. This pipeline improvement is the first MILCON project at this location since a new fuel hydrant system -- used effectively in refueling KC-10 Extender aircraft -- was finished in 2006.

"This will be the primary means of receipt for all JP-8 fuel to the base," Captain Frank said. "This project will be a success because it utilizes the project management and contracting expertise of the Army Corps of Engineers, coordination and technical capability of ECES, experience in the fuel delivery of ELRS, and the execution of a proven contractor."

Senior Master Sgt. James Calhoun, superintendent of the 44-person 380th ELRS fuels management flight, described how important the fuel distribution capabilities are for the 380th AEW in its support for overseas contingency operations. In 2009, his flight pumped more than 188 million gallons of fuel to more than 9,500 aircraft supporting those operations.

"We are the second largest fuels operations in the world for the Air Force," Sergeant Calhoun said. "We provide more than 40 percent of the fuel to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility."

Under the current process, Sergeant Calhoun said the biggest part of their operation is at the fuel offload facility. "We off-load up to 60 fuel tank trucks a day," he said. "That equates to just under 600,000 gallons a day."

Every day, when fuel trucks arrive, they are off-loaded with two R-18 fuels operational readiness capability equipment, or FORCE, pumps. Each pump can process up to 900 gallons a minute. "If we receive 60 trucks in a day, it can take up to 20 hours to off-load them - that's why we operate around the clock," Sergeant Calhoun said.

The new pipeline will speed that process and will allow for smoother operations over the current set up, Captain Frank said.

"The 2.7 mile expeditionary fuel line currently in place will remain and be used as a backup," Captain Frank said. "The new system will support up to 750 thousand gallons of fuel per day."

The project is scheduled to be completed by August.

The 380th AEW is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.