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380AEW Article

380th Fuels Distribution Operator breaks Air Force refueling record

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ross M. Tweten
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Office
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  "I just pumped gas." 

No, this isn't what the pimply-faced gas station attendant says after filling your car with unleaded. This is what Airman 1st Class Jose Malonda, a Fuels Distribution Operator with the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, said after setting the Air Force record of most fuel pumped in one month with a total of 4,375,960 gallons of JP-8 jet fuel issued to the aircraft of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing during the month of June. 

"The last month was chaotic," said Airman Malonda. "It was a lot of work, it was fast paced, it was very busy with very little down time, and a lot of pumping." 

According to Staff Sgt. Stephan Shinholt, 380th ELRS Fuels Distribution Supervisor, this fuels record is extremely significant and highly respected in the fuels career field. 

"Everyone who does our job has a respect for guys who can break records like this because we know all the work that goes into it," he said. At most home stations, issuing one million gallons in one month, according to Sergeant Shinholt, is a pipe dream. "At my home station, 500,000 gallons a month is a good month for us," he said. "For Airman Malonda to pump over four million gallons in one month, when you stop and think about it that's eight months worth of work put into one month." 

The record setting month started off as nothing more than a personal goal. Going into the month, Airman Malonda said he wanted to prove to himself he could do it. He did run into obstacles and difficulties along the way, but he said the support he received from his coworkers was vital. 

"At first, I thought it was going to be really hard, but everyone in the shop helped me out," said Airman Malonda. "They relieved me on the flightline to get food, brought me water, and gave me support. This achievement was really a team effort and I couldn't have done it without everyone in my shop." 

The 380th AEW's mission is to perform reconnaissance and aerial refueling in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. According to Sergeant Shinholt, the Global War on Terror can't be won without the dedication of Airmen like Jose Malonda. 

"It doesn't happen very often, when guys step up and work beyond what their rank requires of them," said Sergeant Shinholt. "He didn't have to put the type of time and dedication that he did into it, but because he did, he set the bar - the bar has been raised. Guys like him, with his motivation and work ethic, are vital to our operations here."
Airman Malonda is on his first deployment here at the 380th AEW. The Raleigh, N.C. native's job is to fuel the fight, and for an entire month, nobody fueled it more.