Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Staff Sgt. Gary Davis is fuels distribution craftsman deployed to the 380th...... read more read more
Subscribe
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- In the time it takes to turn on the switch oF a fuel pump, Staff Sgt. Gary Davis can get the call to send out a fuels truck to the flightline for a refueling. As a dispatcher in the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels service center, he helps coordinate the Air Force's second largest fuels distribution operation in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Davis is a fuels distribution craftsman deployed to the 380th ELRS fuels management flight at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. He is deployed from the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England.
As part of his deployed duties, Davis said he "directs refueling units to aircraft servicing locations, coordinates all fuel and liquid oxygen receipts for the base, and aids in the accomplishment of the accounting process for all fueling transactions."
The operations for Sergeant Davis' fuels management flight are busy. As an example, in 2009, the flight pumped more than 188 million gallons of fuel to 9,500-plus aircraft. The flight is home to more than 40 fuels Airmen and every day supports fuels operations for the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragonlady, E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, and the RQ-4 Global Hawk. That's in addition to managing fuel support for ground-based vehicles such as cars and trucks.
Davis said without his career field's capabilities, the mission could not keep going.
"My career field's capabilities in the deployed environment are very vital to the mission," said Davis, whose hometown is Belleville, Ill. "Without fuel, no aircraft would fly, no vehicles would move, and most facilities would not have power. In short, without fuel, everyone becomes pedestrians."
When Davis responds to a fuels request to the service center to refuel a plane on the flightline, Airmen from his flight might drive an R-11 or R-12 fuels truck out of the flight's operations lot to get the job done. And doing that job requires a number of skills.
According to the Air Force specialty job description for Davis's field of work, fuels Airmen are operate mobility fuels equipment such as the R-11 and R-12 and also maintain and operate petroleum-related facilities and equipment. They also perform quality analysis on products and perform operator maintenance on fuels handling equipment and facilities, plus they prepare receipts, inventories and issue documents for fuels products accounting.
In doing all this work, Davis said he's proud to serving in the Air Force and doing his job on deployment.
"Serving in my nation's Air Force on deployment has been one of the most rewarding opportunities I have had so far," said the six-year veteran of the Air Force. "It really brings a smile to my face knowing that my service here helps others around the world."
As he continues serving at a base that supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Davis he will do his best.
"Since I have been here, I have been to the gym at least five days a week and I have started a class towards my bachelor's degree in management," he said, "My motivation level is high and I am always prepared to take on my responsibilities and any additional challenges that may come my way."
The 380th ELRS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The 380th AEW is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2010 23:54 |
| Story ID: | 45762 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 132 |
This work, Mildenhall staff sergeant, Belleville native, coordinates fuels operations in Southwest Asia, by MSgt Jenifer Calhoun, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
