New rail system fuels Wolf Pack mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  After more than a decade of planning, preparing and refurbishing, the first train entered base on the south storage rail system here June 22 making it a viable means of delivering jet fuel in support of the Wolf Pack's vital mission to the Korean peninsula.

"This will support the whole [U.S. Forces Korea] mission," said Senior Master Sgt. John Reed, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight chief. "The updated rail system will complement our current secondary means of fuel found in truck deliveries."

Sergeant Reed said the base receives fuel through several means, one of which is a local contract. While this works well, it is importance to have another stable means he said.

"This will improve our ability to actually take the fight north," he continued. "This upgrade has been in the works since 1997."

According to the former 8th LRS commander, Maj. Mark Vitantonio, the spur line to be used for the rail deliveries received the funding in 1997, but was never fully utilized until a recent increase in mission requirements.

With increased security and heightened force protection across the service, certain protocols for the new fuel source will be followed.

"As for the security forces segment, they'll push the cars to the gate," said Sergeant Reed. "Then they'll conduct security checks of each car prior to entering the base."

The fuel, an essential component to one of the Pacific Air Forces top priorities of "Posturing our forces to provide immediate combat capabilities," is brought to base by the Korean national rail company, KORAIL. The combined efforts of U.S. and Korean militaries to refurbish and provide this service to the base are yet another extension of the 'Good Neighbor' ethos, officials said.

"The completion of this rail system clearly demonstrates how seamlessly we can work together to accomplish our mission," Sergeant Reed said. "The completion of this project, a reliable secondary source of fuel, shows how well we are partnering with our allies to provide security and stability across the region."