Pump It Up

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Connie Jones | Pfc. Terri Young, a petroleum supply specialist with 277th Quartermasters Company, United States Army Reserve, located in Niagara Falls, New York, checks the fuel meter June 10, 2016 during 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team’s Multi-echelon Integrated Brigade Training at Fort Hood. The company is supporting the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team and other units of the Mississippi National Guard, active Army and U.S. Army Reserve during the exercise. Collectively, approximately 4,500 Army and Air personnel are participating in the joint exercise. (Mississippi National Guard photo by Army Sgt. Connie Jones, 102d Public Affairs Detachment/Released)  

FORT HOOD, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

06.10.2016

Story by Sgt. Connie Jones 

102d Public Affairs Detachment

FORT HOOD, Texas—

Everyday, people run into gas stations for a cup of coffee, a pack of donuts and five dollars on pump one. It’s not something they think about; it’s just easily accessible and a part of a routine. But happens when you’re in a Humvee in the middle of a combat zone and you need fuel?

They may not have donuts but Army petroleum supply specialists take care of fuel needs for everything from generators to tanks. During the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team’s Multi-echelon Integrated Brigade Training, fuelers with the 277th Quartermaster Company, United States Army Reserve, of Niagara Falls, New York are providing fuel for over 300 vehicles with the brigade.

“We’re currently providing all of our services to the 155th ABCT as well as additional services to the 184th (Sustainment Command),” said 1st. Lt. David N. Camp, the 3rd platoon leader of 277th.

Their job includes more than just fueling the big ones though. They are able to support a multitude of other equipment with petroleum, said Staff Sgt. John L. Wolfe, a squad leader with the Quartermaster’s company.

“For this mission, we are providing support for the bulk tankers and the (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck). For the (Logistical Support Area) we are supporting the generators, the (refrigerated) trucks, small tactical vehicles, engineer vehicles, and engineer equipment,” said Wolfe.

Since this is annual training, they have missions to prepare them for other scenarios. They also have training to pump lengthy lines for situations that would require it, said Camp.

“During Annual Training, we do mainly fuel services, which is transporting fuel from one location to another. We also do training on pumping assault hose lines, which are extremely long, two plus mile of hose where you have to actually route it and integrate it with system. We do different containment and fueling systems and bulk distributions. It’s really great to see how our training is actually implemented in the field.”

They also assist with convoy operations, said Wolfe.

Seeing such a large exercise with support from all three components has been exciting to be a part of, said Camp.

“It’s been really interesting to watch the MiBT exercise unfold. I hear that this is the last ever exercise of this type to occur so we feel like we’re really on the front lines with in this training environment,” Camp said. “When we’re out doing an exercise like this, it gets even more interesting seeing MiBT being handled by both active duty, National Guard, and Reserve personnel. Seeing everything come together in one operation is incredible.”

The unit is supporting the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team and other units of the Mississippi National Guard, active Army and U.S. Army Reserve during the exercise. Collectively, approximately 4,500 Army and Air personnel are participating in the joint exercise. The MIBT is a multicomponent event that sustains readiness of reserve and active components and helps prepare the 155th for a trip to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., in 2017.

• Date Taken: 06.10.2016
• Date Posted: 06.11.2016 01:06
• Story ID: 200736
• Location: FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US
• Hometown: NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, US