No matter the naval platform, whether it’s sailing the seas or supporting the fleet from the shore, each needs fuel. As an aviation boatswain’s mate for fuel (ABF) assigned to NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella’s operations site at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, fuels quality assurance is my main purpose, priority and objective.
As the only ABF at this government-owned/contractor-operated facility, I act as a liaison between our civilian counterparts and military oversight to support fueling operations to ensure that the awesome contracted operators have what they need to fuel aircraft and also ensure that the fueling system complies with the highest military and local governing standards.
Regardless of who is operating, most people only see a person connecting a hose and starting a pump. They see that and think, "That's simple" or "There's nothing to it". It may even seem like fuels divisions everywhere only get any attention in the worst-case scenarios like major spills, albeit few and far between. In most cases nobody cares about fuels and its operations as long as they can get the gas they need, when they need it.
However, it’s not that simple. As fuel travels from its source to the customer's tank, it undergoes a quality assurance process that involves repeated cleaning, inspecting and testing before it reaches its final destination. There are plenty of military and commercial instructions, guides, standards, and publications that govern fuels and its systems as a whole. This behind-the-scenes process is crucial to ensuring that the best product reaches the customer, whether it be commercial aircraft for leisure travel or the military warfighters in aviation supporting the fleet.
To ensure the best fuels product reaches the customer, quality assurance does not just apply to fuel, but also to the fueling equipment and fueling systems. That's where I come in. Tanks, valves, filters, fuel piping, reliefs, gauges, nozzles and other fueling equipment have to be inspected and tested. All of the equipment across the fueling facilities has to be inspected, tested and calibrated. This takes coordination and planning to get the right people for the right job. Ensuring the execution of scheduled maintenance, from weekly to annually, or even unscheduled and corrective maintenance, it's all about delivering the highest quality product to the end user.
No fueling operation can be executed alone, so I am a part of a team. The fuels officer on site, who is also the supply officer, is essential as the team leader. Next, there is the accountant who is responsible for inventory management, who I am also an alternate for. Then there are the operators, the company contracted civilians that directly fuel aircrafts, drive the refueling vehicles and operate the fuel facility. I work closely with these civilians to ensure nothing is impeding their ability to operate and keep the government-owned equipment in top shape to deliver. From coordinating maintenance support, ensuring proper operation of the fuel system, to crunching the numbers and everything in between, I am a “Grape*” that can get the job done.
*ABFs are nicknamed ‘grapes’ because of the purple jersey worn with their uniform on and around the airfield and flight deck.
