Fueling the mobility mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Megan E. Acs
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  
The mission of fuels is to receive, maintain, and store dry, serviceable fuel and cryogenic products. The Airmen at fuels play a pivotal role when it comes to mission success.

The job includes a wide variety of tasks, including truck and pump maintenance, managing fuel levels, and cryogenic servicing and has the potential to be very dangerous.

"The general misconception that everyone has of fuels is that all we do is drive a truck out and hold a lever. While that is partially true, we do so much more, and we have to be able to react quickly and fix any situation that could arise," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Austin Cantelmi, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels operator. "We account for the fuels we receive and send out. We issue cryogenic carts which go out to the C-17s on the flight line. We have operators who man the pump houses and make sure they are running smoothly, and operators who maintain and drive the trucks out to service the fuel. We take samples and test all the fuel to make sure it's safe to put on the planes."

It is vitally important that everything is done correctly. If the fuel is not checked properly and bad fuel is serviced to an aircraft, it could result in a crash, costing not only an expensive aircraft, but also loss of life. In addition, when performing the daily operations, if everything isn't executed correctly, a fuel spill could result, which would cause not only environmental damage but also a loss of Air Force resources.

Not only is the job of a fuels operator extensive and precise, but it comes with a few risks as well. When dealing with liquid oxygen, Airmen run the risk of cryogenic burns or potential explosions. Introducing even a little bit of fuel into the environment is risky.

"To start a fire you need three things. You need a fuel source, oxygen, and a spark that causes the ignition. All it needs is something as light as having some fuel on your boot, and contact," said Cantelmi. "Depending on the situation, if something like that were to happen, it could just ignite what's there, or it could blow up the cart and the tanks, which could take out a good chunk of the base."

Fuels is very important when it comes to mission success, not only for the base, but for the Air Force as a whole.

"Without fuel, these planes can't fly, and if they can't fly, we can't train the loadmasters, boom operators or pilots that come through here," said Cantelmi. "More than just training, we provide the fuel that allows us to deploy Airmen warriors."

Cantelmi expressed pride for his career field, and said his favorite part of the job is being able to go out on the flight line and get up close to the airplanes every day.

"I feel very accomplished to play such a pivotal role in making everything happen. I enjoy having hands on to make sure the mission gets accomplished. Without fuels it couldn't happen."