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New hydrant system enhances Bagram's refueling capabilities

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sheila deVera
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuel Management Flight put to use a new fuel delivery system Dec. 21, 2010 which will change the way large aircraft are refueled here.

The $130 million type III constant pressure system; owned by the 101st Sustainment Brigade, consist of two 1.1 million-gallon storage tanks and more than two miles of pipes.

The new hydrant system allows fuels management airmen deployed to the 455th ELRS to deliver more than 2 million gallons of JP-8 with the R-12 hydrant servicing vehicle, and closely mirrors what many airmen work with at their home station.

"The system can allow us to hook up to 11 hydrants outlets refueling aircraft on the spot reducing the manpower impact." said Senior Master Sgt. Arnaldo Rodriguez-Matos, 455th ELRS fuels flight superintendent.

Typically fuel maintenance would dispatch five or six refueling trucks and tie up a multiple operators at each, the new system allows one R-12 and one operator to handle any size fuel request in about half the time.

"The system upgrades the base refueling capability from tactical storage to a legacy system comparable to a system found in any major airlift base or commercial port," said the 22-year fuels specialist. "It allows us to save wear and tear on the tactical equipment and get quality fuel on demand."

With the new R-12s the fuel truck can pump fuel from any hydrant into the aircraft in record time.

Anatoli Gromov, a crew chief for a contracted air carrier, has been traveling into Bagram Airfield since 1982 when he was a member of the Soviet Army. His 747 was the first aircraft to use the new hydrant system.

"It is easier and safer," Gromov said. "It's also quicker because we don't have to wait for new trucks."

Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Whitworth, 455th ELRS noncommissioned officer in charge of refueling maintenance, explained, the new hydrant system improves our refueling capabilities tremendously, especially with the larger fuel loads.

"We're very happy to use the new system. It makes everyone's job, including the air crews, much easier and more efficient," he said.