Photo By Sgt. Marco Gutierrez | Spc. Michael Lawrence, a petroleum laboratory specialist with the 380th Quarter Master...... read more read more
FORT LEWIS, Washington - When it comes fueling military vehicles, aircrafts, and water vessels not much thought goes into it other than to simply pump and go, but behind the scenes so much more is going on. When is comes to fuel quality control, US Army petroleum laboratory specialist have it all under control. When it comes to what needs to be in the fuel and making sure it meets the standards and quality checks necessary for mission completion, yet very few know what they do. Whether it’s fuel quality control for a Carrie 130, or a Humvee they will make sure service members have the right fuel quality for the right equipment. During the Quartermaster Liquid Logistic Exercise in Fort Lewis, Washing petroleum laboratory specialist will keep fuel quality up to standard all while making Army Reserves history.
Spc. Michael Lawrence a petroleum laboratory specialist with the 380th Quarter Master Battalion out of Evansville, Indiana explains that the petroleum laboratory mission during the QLLEX mission is to test the Jet Propulsion 8 fuel for costumers, and make sure it is safe and up to standard for use. Lawrence goes on to explain that something new about the exercise is getting a chance to train soldiers who are interested in being petroleum laboratory specialist, and the possibly training Marines and National Guard Members too.
“I like being in the trainer role,” said Lawrence, “I like being able to pass my knowledge on to others.” At the same time soldiers who don’t normally get a chance to work in a lab get a chance to finally work and do their Military Occupation Specialty during QLLEX. Lawrence said, “Very few units have labs like ours, so missions like QLLEX are the only time soldiers get a chance to use a fuel lab.”
This is not an MOS that that just any soldier can do explains Spc. Justin Perkins a petroleum laboratory specialist with the 380th Quarter Master Battalion out of Evansville, Indian,a while explaining exactly just how technical everything can be.
“No one can just pickup a manual and do this job,” said Perkins, and added that, it requires doing everything step by step, with out errors and everything has to be by the book no exceptions.
Cpl. Tania Zamora a petroleum laboratory specialist with 308th Quarter Master Company said, “Most people don’t know about our MOS and it may seem unimportant, but it’s extremely important.” Zamora goes on to explain that equipment and soldiers lives are dependent on what they do in the lab.
Lawrence explains that checking things like how the fuel reacts to temperatures is extremely important. Especially if it involves aircrafts in high altitudes where it can get extremely cold causing extreme damage or loss of equipment if the fuel is not properly tested. Lawrence explains that so many soldiers don’t know about they do, and how important their job is. “People should know what we do!” said Lawrence.
One of the most impressive feats that petroleum laboratory specialist from the 380th QM CO have done during the QLLEX mission is certifying two fuel labs. Lawrence said, “We have done something that has never been done before in the Army Reserve, which is certify two labs in one training site.” The task of certifying a fuel lab is a daunting one. It involves having over 20 Manual that are over 700 pages long of regulations, internal and external Standards Operation Processes, Having enough certified lab specialist, having a quality control representative inspect how the soldiers operate the lab and run fuel test correctly, and finally getting the approval of the American Petroleum Center.
The QLLEX mission has been an overall great experience for the all petroleum laboratory specialist involved in the exercise.
Zamora said, “What I like about being here is the training and getting to use the lab, because its one of those thing that if you don’t use it you lose it.” Zamora also explains that she like having the expertise of the 380th QM CO, and getting to work in their lab. Zamora continues by saying that the 380th QM CO are helping her so much in getting there lab up and running, and being here means a lot to her. Doing ones job bring a sense of accomplishment and dedication. Perkins said, “I enjoy being in the lab and testing the fuel daily.” Perking goes on to say, “I enjoy doing my job on a daily basis, just like any soldier enjoys doing what they do.
So while soldiers from the 380th are working hard to check the quality of fuel during QLLEX one guarantee is that they won’t let a drop of fuel out if it does not meet their standard. With all the hard work that petroleum laboratory specialist from the 380th do it is no wonder they where able to achieve something never done before in the Army Reserve.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2014 13:19 |
| Story ID: | 132562 |
| Location: | FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON, US |
| Hometown: | EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 362 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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