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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Aug 21, 2008 - 7:13:55 AM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| The 601st ASB fuelers at COB Speicher are ready to provide fueling and arnament service at any time on any day. (Courtesy Photo) |
TIKRIT, Iraq - The 601 Aviation Support Battalion Forward Area Refueling Point provides fuel and ammunition to the Combat Aviation Brigade to fight the Global War on Terrorism. They have developed a close knit group of Soldiers because of the demand of our mission, and each section contributes in their area of expertise whenever it is needed.
With just under seven thousand total aircraft fueled, the Guardian FARP has issued over one million gallons of JP-8. Though less than half of the deployment is over, the crew at the Guardian FARP once thought the milestone of reaching one million gallons of fuel pumped would not be obtained until the tail end of the deployment.
Now their new goal is two, maybe even three million gallons of fuel pumped safely. When asked what he thought of achieving such a milestone, Spc. Marcos Camacho stated that "It's good. It means the pilots are doing their job at keeping us safe and the area safe."
Many Soldiers, platoons and units have encountered the 3/5 Renegades of A Company, 601st ASB in action on a daily basis.
The Renegades work two 12-hour shifts to ensure that the vehicles and aircraft of this brigade, and other coalition aircraft, are re-armed and refueled in a timely and safe fashion. The Renegades are more than just a hard working and cohesive group; they've grown into a family. Upon arriving at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, the Renegade Platoon has hit the ground running. After conducting the relief in place, there was much to improve at the FARP , and at the Ammunition Transfer Holding Point. These challenges didn't deter them as they continued to improve the work environment and complete the mission. The improvements, though better, are still far from over.
So far the Guardian FARP has relocated two fuel points for safer access for CH-47 Chinooks, and various fixed wing aircraft.
A second Gator which is a six-wheeled ATV, allow the fueler teams to drive to the distant fuel points saving mission time for the aircraft. Walkways have been installed for easier access to the other six refueling points. This access allows the Renegades a more stable platform to maneuver to their points.
The office areas are now larger than what the Renegades received upon arrival. With the relocatable offices installed at the FARP, Ground Distribution Point, and the ATHP, the 3/5 Platoon received internet and AFN to pass time when they find a precious few moments between fill-ups.
The Soldiers at the Guardian FARP displayed a keen sense of competence and dedication during their recent FARP Operation Refresher Training. They went to great lengths in the preparation of the classes, the making of the training videos and even drawing up training aids that were needed for the class. The videos explained the standards on how to properly refuel the AH-64 Apache and the CH-47 Chinook. Not only did they meet the standards on how to perform these tasks quickly and efficiently, but they also kept safety their number one priority by using the crawl-walk-run method of training.
Members of the 3/5 platoons of Headquarters Company, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, and 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment attended these three day classes. These classes may have been refresher training for the most part, but it has also given some of the Soldiers a chance to refuel their first OH-58 Kiowa.
The Petroleum Quality Analysis System or portable laboratory mounted in the back of a vehicle is now on a stable concrete ground that allows for better testing of the fuel samples. The PQAS has contributed in testing over 1,000 Filter Effectiveness Samples. They check to see if the equipment's samples meet the required on-grade fuel specifications within 24 hours of sample turn-in.
The Distribution side of the FARP is the back-breaker of the platoon so far. They have kept up their original pace in fixing the minor faults on the vehicles.
It is a vital task to have all vehicles fully mission capable. The Distribution Team's stellar job has allowed 3/5 to have 100% fully mission capable vehicles for the first time in 16 months.
Other than vehicle maintenance, the Distribution Team transfers diesel, MOGAS and JP-8 from the fuel farm to the FARP. The Tank and Pump Unit is used to refuel the Non Tactical Vehicles, and the all terrain vehicles that operate on COB Speicher.
The ATHP has also made numerous improvements. They moved the ammunition to a brand new holding area which provides better lighting and level ground. Their new office is completely furnished with desks, counters, and shelves that their carpenter, Staff Sgt. Richard Moss, built.
Moss is now on a new project of building a deck outside of ATHP's office. Further improving the ATHP, Schiel and Pfc. MichaelTaylor helped the Explosion Ordinance Division train the Iraqi EOD on how to command detonate all of the old and unusable ammunition. Still conducting Air Mission Requests, the ATHP supplies 1st Squadron, 6th Calvary Regiment and 4th Squadron, 6th Calvary Regiment with the requested ammunition. So far they have supplied bases such as Foward Operating Base Warrior in Kirkuk, FOB Diamondback in Mosul, and FOB Sykes in Tal Afar. The ATHP has conducted over 80 AMR's since the beginning of the deployment. Schiel has been assigned to nearly half of the ATHP's AMRs. Schiel stated, "I've been on those routes so many times that when we hit turbulence, I know what mountain range we are over."
The mission at Brassfield Mora in Samara, Iraq, is a two point jump FARP. Currently the mission has fueled over 120,000 gallons of JP-8 and 1200 brigade aircraft.
"I like it because everything is close by," said Spc. Sourivon Sathahone. "The gym, post Exchange, Dining Facility, internet, and the FARP are all within walking distance." Having everything within walking distance is a major plus for everyone that is given the mission at Brassfield Mora. "I never got used to all of the tower warning shots and EOD command detonating of all the Improvised Explosive Devices. You don't hear all that here on COB Speicher," said Sourivon.
Though the Renegades' new goal may be to reach the 3 million gallon fuel mark safely, their original one still remains; returning home with everybody that they came with.
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
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| Spc. Martin C. Berend and Sgt. Gary A. Ruiz, both fuelers and armers with the 601st ASB at the Guardian FARP in COB Speicher, clean out rocket tubes on an AH-64 Apache before loading up a fresh batch of rockets(photo by Spc. Michael Howard) |
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