Liberty Wing fuels shop, performs critical mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Bhawan P. Singh
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Just like driving a car with a leaking gas tank is hazardous, so is flying a $200 million plane with a fuel tank leak.

The 512th Maintenance Squadron fuels shop here performs the critical mission of maintaining and repairing the fuels systems on the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III fleet.

"We perform the in-tank maintenance, valve maintenance and supply fuels," said Senior Airman Brett Johnson, 512th MXS fuels system apprentice. "We take our work very seriously and understand that consequences could be very severe if we don't do it right."

All Airmen performing work in fuels maintenance go through extensive training and receive specialized instruction to become qualified to maintain and repair on the specific planes at their assigned units.

"There is a reason all Air Force bases have fuels squadrons," said Master Sgt. Jody Parker, 512th MXS fuels system section chief. "It's because there is no way to get that plane off the ground if its fuel tank has problems."

The worldwide mission of moving cargo and personnel keeps the planes in the air longer.

"More flying time leads to more wear-and-tear, resulting in more mechanical problems," said Sergeant Parker. "Most of our repair work is here at Dover. However, sometimes we go to other bases to accomplish a task, like when we're requested for a few days to a couple weeks at Ramstein Air Base (Germany) and other locations across the United States."

Airman Johnson believes engineering on planes respond better to warm weather, whereas cold weather can play a role in increasing the number of leaks thereby increasing their workload in the winter.

"The training we do is very impressive here," said Airman Johnson. "I'd like to stay in this job as a reservist and use my ongoing training and skills to market myself in the civilian world - in the same field."

Airman Johnson says physical stature is important in this job since larger Airmen will have problems working inside an airplane fuel tank.

"If you have flexibility and maneuverability issues, this job is not for you, as you will not be able to get inside the fuel tank and perform the work that needs to be done to check leaks and other valves," said Airman Johnson.

"We not only fix the fuel tank and work the valves, but we do a thorough inspection of planes that come to us for repair," said Senior Master Sgt. Calvin Little, 512th Maintenance Group first sergeant. "We finish our work, and then the plane gets in the air to perform the mission either in the United States or overseas."

The 512th Airlift Wing reservists are activated for at least six months to provide airlift support for Operation Enduring Freedom. This movement supports President Barack Obama's plan, announced in December, to deploy 30,000 additional American troops to Afghanistan.

"In the build-up they need us ready here at all times in order to perform the critical work we do everyday," said Sergeant Little. "If no fuels guys are around to do what they do, no build-up. Period!"

Whether it's delivering troops or transporting cargo, the 512th MXS fuels shop provides the combustible element that keeps Dover's aircraft in the air and the mission moving forward.