Kunsan hosts joint petroleum training

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  During joint training at Kunsan Air Base Aug. 6 to 10, Soldiers from around the peninsula joined Korean Service Corps members to brush up on their refueling skills.

For a week, nearly 100 participants perfected the skills needed to build up and tear down a fuel system supply point during this first-ever "Petro Expo."

These supply points are primarily used downrange as a way to ensure all military vehicles, whether aircraft or Humvees, have the fuel they need to complete their mission.

In Korea, it's also necessary to perfect these skills in case supply points are needed while engaging North Korea.

"From a mobility standpoint, this type of equipment could be used in a variety of ways," said Senior Master Sgt. Lawrence Sims, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight superintendent. "From fuel storage to aircraft or vehicle servicing, this training enables Soldiers to set up this equipment in pretty much any environment to sustain the war effort."

Personnel from the 8th LRS set up the logistics needed to support personnel attending the training. Soldiers from the 501st Sustainment Brigade, 602nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 302nd Brigade Support Battalion, and 194th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion attended. All are located at either Camp Humphries or Camp Casey.

"Soldiers are getting valuable hands-on experience, seeing these systems in operation," said Cpl. Josh Hurt, 194th CSSB petroleum systems specialist and one of the course's instructors. "It's important to see how the Air Force and Army would connect if it was in a deployed environment."

The training was broken into several specific phases, each with a different goal from efficiency on fuel distribution equipment to environmental concerns.

The participants learned more about forward area refueling equipment, tanker refueling and refueling on the move -- all were aimed at increasing their knowledge and combat readiness.

"This training builds camaraderie and cohesion," said U.S. Army Warrant Officer Thomas Shipp, who developed the idea for the week-long course. "This helped the Air Force and Army build trust, and they can now depend on each other to deliver fuel as needed.

"We plan on making this an annual joint training. I look forward to coming back to Wolf Pack country next year."