Photo By Cpl. John McCall | Marines with Bulk Fuel Company B, 6th Engineer Support Battalion hook up a hose reel...... read more read more
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FORT DIX, N.J. – Marines with Bulk Fuel Company B, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, participated in a training exercise here, July 7-19. Bulk fuel Marines practiced setting up a series of Amphibious Assault Fuel Systems and protecting them from notional enemy combatants.
Bulk fuel squads were given an area to set up a fuel dispensing point, known as a fuel farm, using an AAFS, which consists of a large plastic bag that can hold upwards of 40,000 gallons of fuel depending on the size of the system, according to bulk fuelers.
“We need to be able to get fuel from ship to shore quickly and safely,” said Sgt. Bradley Bensley, a squad leader with Co. B, and native of Carol Stream, Ill. “Fuel is an extremely important commodity on the battlefield. Without it the unit’s capabilities go out the window.”
With two deployments to Afghanistan under his belt, Bensley knows first hand the importance of a training exercise like this.
“We are simulating scenarios that Marines might see in a deployed environment,” he said. “This exercise shows them what daily operations are like during a deployment, instead of just setting up the system at their training center. Fuel support goes hand in hand with combat operations; lives can depend on getting fuel to a certain point and at a specific time.”
Once the fuel farm was established, Marines used a hose reel system to lay down tubes to transport the fuel over long distances without the use of logistical vehicles. For some of the less-experienced Marines, this was their first time using the system. This exercise gave them the opportunity to get hands-on training with the device.
“The junior Marines don’t get to see this kind of set up very often,” said Sgt. Morgan Vacha, a platoon sergeant with Co. B, and native of Madison, Wis. “Ultimately, we want them to be able to set up and run these systems on their own. A lot of them are stepping up to the challenge and taking advantage of everything this evolution has to offer.”
Company B must be prepared to employ their skill set in a number of different environments as well as receive and dispense fuel to both air and ground units, according to bulk fuel specialists.
“This is a unique opportunity for our unit because we can go more in-depth and focus on more details than we could during a drill weekend,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph Bonnin, a platoon commander with Co. B, and native of Green Bay, Wis. “By participating in an exercise like this we can maintain our readiness more effectively.”
Since fuel is such a valuable asset, constant security must be provided to protect it. A select group of bulk fuel specialists were assigned the task of protecting the fuel farm. These Marines took part in a series of live-fire ranges that gave them the opportunity to become more proficient with their service rifles and crew-served weapons.
“Since we are a Reserve unit, we don’t get the opportunity to train with these weapons very often,” said Lance Cpl. Christopher Shearer, a bulk fuel specialist with Co. B, and native of Baltimore. “These scenarios and ranges really help put us into a combat mindset.”
According to many bulk fuel Marines, the live-fire training and security missions have helped them understand the importance of preparing for real life missions.
“Most of us want to deploy, not many have,” Shearer added. “This is what we are trained to do and even though it’s just an exercise, it gives us a chance to test everything we’ve learned.”
Company B completed their annual training which helped them gain experience and stay prepared for a situation requiring their skill set.
| Date Taken: | 07.19.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.30.2013 19:13 |
| Story ID: | 111087 |
| Location: | NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, US |
| Hometown: | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, US |
| Hometown: | CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Hometown: | MADISON, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 203 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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