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News | Aug. 22, 2019

New commander visits petroleum lab

By Kimberly K. Fritz DLA Energy Public Affairs

Defense Logistics Agency Energy Europe and Africa Commander Army Lt. Col. Donna Welch visited the DLA Energy Petroleum Laboratory at the Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Germany July 12, as part of her command familiarization. 

The lab supports the quality surveillance mission providing full specification fuel testing services for DLA Energy customer operations across 57 Defense Fuel Support Points in 10 countries. As one of five DLA Energy labs worldwide, it receives approximately 2,000 fuel samples each year including routine quality surveillance, investigations of possible contamination as well as testing for secured fuels.

Laboratory Manager Mike Domen provided a tour of the facility and an overview of the capabilities of the million-dollar equipment housed in the lab.

The DLA Energy Europe and Africa Quality Division is responsible for administering the DLA Energy contract quality assurance and surveillance program on all energy products procured, shipped, stored and issued to U.S. Forces throughout U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. Quality assurance representatives perform contract compliance audits of commercial Into-Plane and ship’s bunkering services as well as perform pre-award surveys and participate in post-award conferences in support of DLA Energy purchase programs, Domen explained.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Scott Tejada instructed Welch on how to perform several fuel tests

Welch highlighted the lab’s exceptional work and its efforts to engage with the local community. 

“DLA Energy Petroleum Lab supports the Warfighter, the President of the United States and goes the extra mile to host one to three high school science, technology, engineering and math students per semester who are in the Department of Defense Education Activity Career Practicum Program,” Welch said.

“I enjoyed having Lt. Col. Welch visit the lab,” said Petroleum Lab Specialist Army Sgt. Yhadira Meadows . “It is always great to have someone see the capabilities that the lab has to offer.”