Photo By Sgt. Sean Berry | U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1),...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, ARIZ. – Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) have been testing the capabilities of a new fueling system known as the tactical aviation ground refueling system (TAGRS) while conducting forward arming and refueling point (FARP) operations in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-19 from March 10 to April 30.
WTI is a seven-week course aimed at supporting Marine aviation squadrons through the development, testing and employment of innovative ideas and technology to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force. The Marine Corps began testing the TAGRS method of refueling in 2017 to see what improvements its capabilities provide support squadrons during FARP operations.
“One of the things that we provide from the aviation ground support community across the Marine Corps is the forward arming and refueling point operations,” said Maj. Steven Bancroft, the aviation ground support department head for MAWTS-1. “The faster that FARPs can be established and repositioned in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force commander’s priorities, the faster it’s going to enable the commander to accomplish their mission.”
A FARP is setup by a support squadron and can have one or several distributive fuel points across a landing zone that enable aircraft to land and obtain both fuel and ordnance during a mission. The current method of refueling used by the Marine Corps involves a team of six Marines who assemble the helicopter expedient refueling system, commonly referred to as HERS.
“With a traditional FARP you have to worry about the embarkation and transportation of your gear to the landing zone,” explains Sgt. Angel Manzanoramirez, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 371. “The TAGRS allows us to use the M-RZR Polaris ATV and trailer pump assembly to aerial insert the system right on-site and once we get inserted, it takes less than seven minutes to get set up.”
Transportable by the CH-53E Super Stallion, MV-22 Osprey, and KC-130J Hercules, the TAGRS has the ability to drive up the ramp of each aircraft. Once it arrives at the FARP, the TAGRS will drive down the ramp and maneuver to the established distributive fuel point where teams will begin the pump to fuel-pod assembly stage and begin arming and refueling.
“The platform itself is on an M-RZR Polaris ATV that carries a team of four Marines and has a trailer with the pre-assembled pump on the back,” said Bancroft. “Putting it on wheels makes it easily deployable and enables it to be repositioned quickly if tasking requires.”
The M-RZR Polaris ATV allows the TGARS team to operate expeditiously over rugged terrain and the trailers ability to carry pre-assembled equipment, makes for a smarter use of man-power, shorter set-up and overall refuel completion time.
“I believe we should start using this system because the Marine Corps is all about being expedient, and that is exactly what this system brings to the table,” said Manzanoramirez. “It reduces manpower and minimizes the amount of equipment needed to execute a FARP.”
Specifically involved with MWSS 274, pilots and crew rely solely on support squadrons to ensure the aircraft is performing at its highest capacity. WTI 2-19 has provided Marines the ability to simulate and conduct real-life scenarios to train, test and validate various insertion and support methods.
“WTI provides a great opportunity to test the system against various type model series aircraft,” said Bancroft. “With this testing we are hopeful that in the future this method will be adopted into the Marine Corps.”
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2019 22:02 |
| Story ID: | 318741 |
| Location: | YUMA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 302 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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