Fuel keeps mission operational

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  As the cost of gas rises, the 96th Logistic Readiness Squadron's Fuels Flight keeps a sharp eye on what it takes to keep the mission operational. 

There is truth to the purchasing power of the government. All fuel procured for the Department of Defense is through the Defense Energy Support Center. Billions of gallons of fuel purchases means DESC is able to gauge the market and hedge the cost of this particular commodity. 

The price on base for both JP-8 jet fuel and ground fuel has held steady since December 2007. An estimated JP-8 use last year of 33 million gallons averaged out to $3.04 a gallon. In April, the flight estimates its usage for the following year, taking into account any new missions or change in aircraft numbers which alerts DESC as to how much fuel to order. Jet fuel usage will drop to approximately 18 million gallons when the 33rd Fighter Wing leaves the base through the Base Realignment and Closure Commission's recommendation. Consumption will increase once again when the F-35s arrive. 

Ground fuel, including regular unleaded, diesel and bio-diesel averages $2.97 a gallon. According to Chief Master Sgt. George Treloar, flight superintendent, a post camps and stations contracts is awarded through small commodities section of DESC to fill an order for the one million-plus gallons used on base. 

Chief Treloar said that even though the price of ground fuel seems cheap when compared to the price outside the gates, there are still limited funds available and the flight instituted several measures to conserve, especially for their 31 refuelers. The refuelers support other vehicles and operations that stretch from the Coast Guard Station, to the Fire Department on Okaloosa Island, to Duke Field and numerous points in between. 

"We have a 724-square mile reservation to cover and some of the outlying areas we support take 45 minutes (to drive) one way--that burns a lot of fuel," he said. "People used to pick up the phone and we'd go, but now we set up a schedule to hit all locations to use personnel and resources most efficiently. "

Also efficient is an AFSO 21 initiative to conserve fuel that is about to go into effect Air Force-wide. The Chief said each refuelers requires inspection every day and the new standard will save fuel. 

"Inspections on the trucks required a hot transmission check, which needed a 30-minute engine run," Chief Treloar said. "But the T.O. also gives you an option to do a cold check first, so you don't have to run the engine." 

Another conservation tool is following an executive mandate to reduce fossil fuels. Using bio-diesel, or B-20, which is regular diesel with a 20 percent bio product, saves 20 percent fossil fuels. The same holds true for using E-85 which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. While the base has close to 200 vehicles that can run on E-85, currently there is no Underwriter Laboratory-approved pump to dispense the fuel.

Chief Treloar said the fuels flight sends daily reports of how much fuel is used and the amount of room remaining in the tanks located on main base. This reporting is especially important during hurricane season. Jet fuel is then delivered by a barge that services several locations along the Gulf Coast. 

Another area of LRS watching the price of gas is vehicle operations. When they're not fielding questions about why the base can't run shuttles through surrounding communities (the Air Force instructions won't allow it), they are looking at their internal processes to operate more efficiently. 

"We pay for our fuel as well," said Master Sgt. Reginald Jones, vehicle operations superintendent.  "We budget two years out and expect to see an increase next year." 

Most units that have vehicles assigned to them budget fuel as another operating expense. Vehicle Ops said they are taking positive steps to conserve fuel. 

"We streamlined our DRMO runs to once a week and sweep the base," Sergeant Jones said. "We streamlined the taxi service but continue to have a three-minute response rate, which is excellent." 

Chief Treloar said the possibility of parking vehicles is the last resort if fuel prices continue to rise. He prefers to continue to use creative alternatives to keep the base stocked with fuel. 

"We have to do things differently and do things smarter," he concluded.