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Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alejandro Chiquette, a bulk fuel specialist from Bulk Fuel Company Alpha, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, practices tending to the pumping system on a truck engine, which eventually transfers the fuel to a jet. Beginning in late March and ending in early June, the Marines will be training and executing operational tasks at the 162nd Wing. (U.S Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Erich B. Smith/Released)

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Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Frank of the Fuels Management Flight at the 162nd Wing describes how fuel samples are pulled from a refueling truck’s filtration system to a group of U.S. Marines. Frank said this process is commonly known as the first line of defense in fuels quality control. Beginning in late March and ending in early June, the Marines will be training and executing operational tasks at the 162nd Wing. (U.S Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Erich B. Smith/Released)

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The role of a fuel specialist does not always include outside work on the flight line or driving a massive tanker. In a lab at the petroleum, oils and lubricant shop attached to the 162nd Fuels Management Flight, Marine Corps Cpl. Jesse Storey and Lance Cpl. Paul Robledogarcia tests fuel samples by using controlled bottle methods, ensuring its purity meets pre-established technical orders. Beginning in late March and ending in early June, the Marines will be training and executing operational tasks at the 162nd Wing. (U.S Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Erich B. Smith/Released)

Airmen and Marines fuel the fight

Published April 8, 2016
By Tech. Sgt. Erich B. Smith
162nd Wing Public Affairs

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The 162nd Wing Fuels Management Flight began working side by side with the Marine Corps Bulk Fuel Company Alpha, 6th Engineer Support Battalion earlier this year.

Beginning in late March and ending early this summer the Marines will backfill for the ANG unit while they fulfill various mission requirements overseas.

"The Marine Corps Reserve had been affiliated with the wing in the past - getting vital training through us by performing their unit training assemblies here," said Senior Master Sgt. Oscar Torres, interim fuels superintendent. "We're looking to rekindle that one fight, one team spirit."

While they call Davis-Monthan Air Force Base their home for a typical weekend duty, the Marines ordinarily venture out to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California, for their annual training sessions.

With the logistical task of administering the resource of fuel and with limited personnel, the 162nd Wing turned to a corps of fuel specialist Marines, sealing a mutually beneficial relationship.

"Their contributions help sustain our mission here and overseas, and the Marine Corps echelon finds their time here to be beneficial and lucrative," Torres added.

The fuel distribution process pumps roughly 13.5 million gallons annually to a sizeable inventory of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, the augmenting Marines help ensure that safety procedures are followed while adhering to environmental policies.

"We put together a training plan that gets them operational within 48 hours," said Air Force 2nd Lt. Jacob Knutson, Fuels Management Flight officer in charge.

According to Knutson, getting up to speed with petroleum, oils and lubricant shop involves receiving tankers from Davis-Monthan, conducting lab work, running a checkpoint on an R-11 Refueling Tank, and ultimately qualifying the Marines to participate in fuel transactions on the flight line.

"They're very professional and eager to learn and help us out in our mission, and we really appreciate the support they have given us so far," said Knutson.

Because they incorporate their military occupational specialty instruction into a remote-training model at Twentynine Palms, the Marines are not exposed to the actual fuels distribution process.

"These are new systems for us, especially with the refueling trucks because we use pumps by themselves," said Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Paul Robledogarcia. "It's nice learning new systems and seeing the different aspects of bulk fuel distribution."

In the spirit of the famous Marine Corps saying; "Every Marine is a Rifleman,"

Robledogarcia and his fellow Marines will also be working with the Security Forces Squadron whenever the wing stands down on training sorties.

"Working as an MP (Military Police) - while doing our MOS of refueling planes wherever they may be - makes us all well-rounded Marines," said Robledogarcia.

Their presence at the 162nd Wing precedes an inter-service training event called Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercises scheduled to begin in June - showcasing resupply capabilities provided by Citizen-Soldiers, and involving the Air National Guard, the active duty Air Force, and the Marine battalion.