AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy –
The 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Management Flight conducted a new jet fueling capability demonstration to base leadership, 17 March.
The demonstration was intended to prove contingency operations capabilities of the new Fluid Powered Additive Injector Carts concept to Mission Support Group leadership. The 31st Fighter Wing is the first wing in United States Air Forces in Europe to use the injector cart and intends on standardizing it for future operations in contingent locations.
“Today, we're going to be demonstrating the FPAIC’s capability,” said Tech. Sgt. Kyle King, 31st Logistics Readiness Training and Support supervisor. “We showcased how the FPAIC works, how to calibrate it, and highlighted its potential. This capability takes the human element out of it, so it's safer, more precise and more convenient.”
This new capability enables the 31st Fighter Wing ability to land at partner nation locations or commercial locations in Europe that only have JET A1 fuel because the FPAIC will enable our team to blend Jet A1, or commercial grade fuel, with Fuel System Icing Inhibitor and enable non-stop flying operations for our aircraft. This capability broadens the 31 FW’s capability allows us to work closer with partner nations and the ability to refuel with local fueling devices.
“This piece of equipment gives us the ability to add Fuel System Icing Inhibitor or ‘fizzy’ fuel,” Senior Airman Anthony Bell, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels service center controller. “That allows us to essentially make our own Jet Propellant 8 fuel, or Jet A1 with additives is the most technical term. That Jet A1 with additives gives us the ability to fly the aircraft out to their maximum potential whereas if we were to use the straight jet A1 fuel, they would have limitations.”
The FPAIC was used for the first time two years ago in U.S. Central Command. The testing phase has been ongoing for two years, however it is unclear when it will be adopted and standardized Air Force-wide, as the Air Force is looking at a few options, said King.
“This allows us to inject large amounts of additives into fuel in contingency operations,” said Bell. “Generally, what we've done in this theater is put the additive straight into a truck, but that's only good for how much fuel is in the truck. You have to dope it every single time you refill the truck. What this cart allows us to do is set the machine to the level of fizzy we desire in the fuel and then we can take that every time we are putting fuel through it and we know it's going to be additized.“
Not only does this cart open up more airfield options, but it differs from current operations. The current method is skid mounted, meaning either a four-member team or a forklift is required to operate. However, this new cart allows for pre-loading of the additives onto the cart before departing Aviano AB. Upon arrival, the cart is ready to go with additives and calibrated, making the fueling process more rapid and mobile.
“I definitely like implementing this process because there's not a whole lot of change that goes on in our career field,” said King. “To be a part of something that is driving change and advancing our career field is pretty rewarding.”
The data from this demonstration will go up to the Department of the Air Force to help justify the need to standardize it at the wing-level, throughout USAFE and Air Force-wide.
Editor's note: The original story can be viewed on the Aviano Air Base website. 