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ROCK SOLID WARRIOR

  • Published
  • 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Tech. Sgt. Dennis Wallace 

NCO in charge of FORCE Fuels Ramp

Home unit/base: 305th Logistics Readiness Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

How do you support the mission here? As fuels ramp supervisor it's my job to ensure the fuel bladders and all refueling equipment are full and in-service to support any and all fuel requests from assigned and transient aircraft.

How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? This is my second deployment. Being assigned here gives me the chance to work with the new refueling equipment called Fuels Operational Readiness Capabilities Equipment -- FORCE for short. We are the only base in the deployed theater that is currently using this equipment to issue fuel to aircraft. FORCE replaces our Vietnam era equipment we had been using. 

It's not often you get a chance to work with a new piece of equipment and provide feedback on the pros and cons on how it is performing. I'm glad I have the chance to help bring our career field into the 21st century with working and providing feedback on the FORCE in trying to provide future POL'ers with the best refueling equipment possible to support the mission.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? At home station, I'm sad to say, I'm stuck behind a desk way to much. It's nice to get my hands dirty again. Also, at home station you do the same stuff day after day, you tend to get into a rut. We are a small shop here supporting a 24-hour flying operation, so we all need to fill in and help other sections out.

If I every here that inner voice complaining about anything while deployed ... all I have to do is watch the troops pass through here who are headed north with all their gear to more dangerous places than here, to put everything back into perspective. I get a sense of accomplishment knowing that I did my part in making sure those troops and their equipment get down range to where they are needed.