Base fuels lab keeps mission going

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  When used in an air-to-surface role, the F-16 Fighting Falcon can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft and return to its starting point.

At the beginning of this journey, however, is a full tank of gas. The base fuels lab is responsible for making sure all fuel pumped into these fighter aircraft is up to standards.

At Kunsan, which boasts the largest fuels account on the Korean peninsula in the Department of Defense in terms of fuel stored and issued, this responsibility falls on the shoulders of a two-man shop within the 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"If we didn't do our job, fuel wouldn't be cleared for use in jets or vehicles," said Staff Sgt. Benny Cruz, 8th LRS fuels lab NCO in charge. "We test the fuel for water, solids and color. Bad fuel in aircraft can cause all kinds of problems -- the engine might clog or water in the fuel can freeze."

The testing process varies for different types of fuel depending on its use and the test scheduled that day. Many of the tests include saturating a paper pad, but it diverges from there.

If checking for water, the pad is exposed to a blacklight, where any water will appear as bright green. If checking for solids, the pad is weighed before and after being saturated; this number will meet a specific regulation if it's within an allowable range.

Cruz, who before joining the Air Force had no tendencies toward science of any kind, said his job has its perks.

"A good day for me is coming in and having the schedule full of samples that have to be taken," he said. "The busier we are, the quicker the day goes by. We manage our own schedules, so as long as you have good time-management skills, there's not too much stress."

Cruz added that during his career as a fuels specialist, every test he's done in the lab has only confirmed the quality of the fuel.

"I've never found bad fuel," he said. "If that were to happen, we would re-sample it. If it was still bad, everything would be shut down until we found the source. The truck, the tank, the fill stands -- we wouldn't be able to use any of it."

The base fuels lab has to work with other units on base daily, both within their squadron and outside of it.

"Teamwork plays a really big part in the mission," said Capt. Randon Davis, 8th LRS fuels management flight commander. "We work with everyone, from the civil engineers to maintenance, to make sure the fuel gets where it has to go.

"This is my first time being a flight commander, and I rely heavily on my Airmen to do their jobs well," she added. "At the end of every day, I know they've done a good job and are helping fuel the Kunsan mission."