Altus Air Force Base News

 

97th LRS Airmen, Navy reservists conduct fuels training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Klynne Pearl Serrano
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Management Flight provided Air Force-specific refueling equipment training to four Navy Petty Officers Sept. 10-21.

After completing the initial portion of familiarization with inspection and maintenance, the Petty Officers rotated to shift work and rode with experienced operators to refuel C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft with R-11s and R-12s, said 2nd Lt. Jessica Fischer, 97th LRS Fuels Management Flight commander.

"The R-11 is a 6,000 gallon tank refueler used to complete minimal fuel loads," Fischer said. "The R-12 is a hydrant hose truck that attaches to the hydrant system for heavier fuel loads in excess of 6,000 gallons."

The training also included issue and accountability using the Automated Point of Sale Device and certain aspects of fuels facility and bulk storage stand operations.

"The amount of hands-on training that we received here was phenomenal," said Petty Officer 1st Class Johnny Sweetin, Navy Operational Support Center Reserve Battalion hull technician. "The people here are really knowledgeable and I don't think we could have learned what we learned in the short amount of time we had here anywhere else."

Members of the Fuels Management Flight agree that the camaraderie between the Air Force and the Navy is what made the experience.

"We shared our wealth of knowledge, experience and also picked up a few points of improvement from them," Fischer said.

The Petty Officers are grateful for the opportunity to work with members of the 97th LRS Fuels Management Flight.

"The support we got from the Air Force has been amazing," Sweetin said. "Thank you to everyone here."