Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Angel Geigel, Team Partner Fuel NCOIC, 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st...... read more read more
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CAMP MEJID, Iraq — Army fuel specialists recently began training their Iraqi counterparts in al Anbar province to improve fuel quality and increase mission success for 7th Iraqi Army vehicles.
Fuelers with the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), are making great strides in training their counterparts from the Motor Transport Regiment of the 7th Iraqi Army, said Capt. Kyle Brown, officer-in-charge of the American Paratroopers.
Having a reliable logistics network is critical to maintaining operational readiness, and one of the most crucial components of a well-oiled logistics machine is fuel. It is also one of the most easily compromised components, especially in a desert environment. Rocky terrain, sand, and dust storms seemingly conspire against keeping vehicles in working condition.
Contaminated fuel causes significantly higher maintenance requirements and reduces engine life. To prevent contaminated fuel, Brown and Staff Sgt. Angel Geigel, Fuel and Water Platoon sergeant, Company A, 307th Brigade Support Battalion, took the lead in conducting partnership training with the 7th IA MTR, testing their fuel and developing proper fueling procedures to reduce the likelihood of contamination, said Geigel.
The MTR has experienced a decrease in the operational readiness of their M1114 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle fleet, said Geigel. Fuel filters were deteriorating rapidly and their engines were excessively dirty, forcing them off the resupply routes and into the motor pool for extra maintenance.
Fuel samples obtained from MTR fuel trucks appeared to be contaminated with sediments, said Geigel.
The paratroopers submitted the fuel samples for testing at Al Asad Airbase.
"The results proved that the fuel was indeed highly contaminated," said Geigel.
As a result, Lt. Col. Khamis, 7th IA MTR Maintenance Company's commander, declared Camp Mejid's primary service station as non-operational and that, instead, a fuel truck directly from an Iraqi Fuel Refinery will be used.
"This will give the Iraqis time to develop better fuel-handling methods under the advisement of 307th BSB," said Geigel.
The Fuel and Water Platoon's next step is to determine the source of the sediment and how to minimize future contamination. Reasons for the sediment likely include improper filters, corroded fuel tanks, and fuel treatment locations, said Giegel.
While assessments are being finalized, fuel specialists are training MTR fuelers to properly conduct preventive maintenance on their equipment and identify, then eliminate fuel-handling techniques that can lead to contamination.
A new Iraqi fuel pumping station at Camp Mejid under the authority of the Camp Mejid Location Command is not currently in use. The station, which has a maximum capacity of 4.4 million liters, lacks quality-control equipment (such as filters) and operator training. Future 307th BSB advisory and assistance operations aim to get the station fully mission-capable, said Geigel.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2009 05:50 |
| Story ID: | 41716 |
| Location: | CAMP MEJID, IQ |
| Web Views: | 596 |
| Downloads: | 411 |
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