Aviano airman first class, Fort Calhoun native, supports efforts for second largest fuels op in Southwest Asia

Airman 1st Class Michael Pane, a fuels distribution apprentice deployed to the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight from the 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, prepares an R-12 fuels truck for operation. In doing his deployed job, Airman Pane operates mobility fuels equipment such as the R-11 and R-12 fuels trucks to refuel aircraft. In the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which Airman?s Pane?s refueling effort supports, there are KC-10 Extenders, E-3 Sentrys, U-2 Dragonladys and RQ-4 Global Hawks that need refueling every day supporting operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. In 2009, Airman Pane's flight pumped more than 188 million gallons of fuel to 9,500-plus aircraft. Airman Pane's hometown is Fort Calhoun, Neb. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol/Released)