Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Bryant Maude | Left to right, Sgt. Janell Brown, of Tallmadge, Ohio, and Staff Sgt. Brett Nelson, of...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude
1st SB, PAO
VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq – One year ago, the bulk fuel farm at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, was dirty, inefficient, and in serious need of repair. Today, thanks to the hard work and diligence of some dedicated Army Reserve Soldiers, the bulk fuel farm is clean, orderly, and highly efficient.
"This place was in shambles," said Spc. Chris Griffith, a native of Stockbridge, Mich., and fuel specialist with the 192nd Quartermaster Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, of Milan, Ohio.
"I think we hauled over 30 tons of trash out of here in our first month," recalled Sgt. 1st Class Wilfredo Velez, the platoon sergeant for the192nd QM Co. "This place was neglected for years."
As they developed their plan of attack they decided early on that recycling would need to be a part of the clean up strategy.
"We created a program where not everything went to the dump." explained Velez. "We wanted to recycle materials and return unused equipment back in to the Army inventory,"
So that's what they did. In the process of cleaning up the farm they separated materials into different categories like vinyl, wood, plastics, and aluminum. They also returned an estimated $100,000 worth of discarded equipment back to the Army supply system.
The problem ran deeper than trash though. The fuel farm is the sole source for aviation fuel, diesel, and gasoline for the greater Baghdad area, and at the time it was operating at about 25 percent of its capacity. Very few pumps worked properly, and the berms surrounding the fuel bags were in severe need of repair.
"When we arrived, six pumps worked," stated Velez.
Early on the team went to work on the pumps. They increased the number of pumps from six to twelve and doubled the capacity of each individual pump allowing 24 trucks to receive fuel at once instead of six.
"We went from one truck taking three hours to get fuel to fifteen minutes; on a bad day," said Velez proudly.
The goal of Maj. Phil Sharp, commander of the 192nd QM Co., was to focus on increased customer service and improving the overall look and functionality of the farm.
"We ran our ideas through our chain of command ... and they supported our ideas," said Velez. "We couldn't have done it without their support. We totally reconstructed 66 fuel berms."
With just 34 Soldiers and 24 civilian contractors, the 192nd QM Co., did the work required by 100 people. The Soldiers had it rough. They worked 12 hour shifts, traveled back and forth from work by bus and ate most of their meals at the farm, but they rarely complained.
"Their motivation comes from within," said Velez. "They would be standing out in 130-degree temperatures working and still have a smile on their face."
As they prepare to leave Iraq, the Soldiers of the 192nd QM, Co., talk about the things they are looking forward to most upon their return home. The little things like driving, shopping, and finishing their degrees. And when asked what they are most proud of they all agree, "The fuel farm!"
| Date Taken: | 01.15.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.15.2008 12:51 |
| Story ID: | 15475 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 400 |
| Downloads: | 293 |
This work, A Transformation Takes Place at the Bulk Fuel Farm at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, by SFC Bryant Maude, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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