Supporting strong partnerships with NATO allies, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Europe and Africa bridged fuel support capabilities between the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the United Kingdom and NATO allies and partners located at Papa Air Base, Hungary.
“These actions enabled the 100th Operational Support Squadron from RAF Mildenhall to conduct scarce air-to-air refueling training which is critical to maintaining their currency and proficiency to NATO nations,” said DLA Energy Europe and Africa Commander Army Lt. Col. Donna Welch.
Sam Fedele in DLA Energy International Fuel Agreements worked closely with Air Force Capt. Renee Meeder, DLA Energy liaison officer to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. They ensured all fuel requirements and billing information were secured for USAFE forces to leverage Host Nation fuel support from the Hungarian Armed Forces at Papa Air Base.
“Sam and Capt. Meeder worked quickly together to understand our customers’ requirements and ensure the proper guidance and resources were in place to support the critical training,” Welch said. “Strategically positioned DLA capabilities where the warfighter needs them most helps us anticipate and respond to emerging requirements.”
Fedele confirmed the Acquisitions and Cross-Servicing Agreement with Hungary was in place and verified fuel codes. ACSAs are used worldwide between partner nations to acquire logistics support, supplies, and services.
Meeder liaised with Fedele to confirm fuel agreement authority, billing procedures and documentation needed for mission fuel requirements.
It was key for the Heavy Airlift Wing commander at Papa Air Base to know we had all the correct logistics in place for this training to happen, Fedele said.
The commander of the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall and the commander of the Strategic Airlift Capability, Heavy Airlift Wing at Papa Air Base praised the efforts in an email.
“Renee and Sam, thank you for coordinating the specifics from the DLA perspective and providing the final instructions to make this all work,” wrote Air Force Col. James Sparrow, the Strategic Airlift Capability, Heavy Airlift Wing Commander at Papa Air Base, Hungary. “This training is essential to providing airlift to our member nations, especially as fuel stops are becoming more challenging because of COVID-19 restrictions.”
DLA Energy’s number one priority is meeting the warfighters’ competing demands on the battlefield, especially when it comes to providing reliable and high-quality fuel and global relationships. The DLA Energy International Fuel Agreements team is responsible for establishing and maintaining long-term Department of Defense fuel agreements with foreign militaries.