U.S. planes filled with Iraqi fuel
AFPN
Release Date: 6/17/2003
by Capt. Trisha Cundiff 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
6/17/2003 - BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) -- For the first time in history, U.S. aircraft were refueled with captured Iraqi aircraft gas here June 14.
An estimated 2.4 million gallons of fuel were captured after the intense fighting of Operation Iraqi Freedom ended, according to Senior Master Sergeant Samuel Varnicle, 447th Air Expeditionary Group petroleum, oil and lubricants section superintendent.
Varnicle's team of 25 specialists includes five Iraqis who worked the fuel farm before OIF. They worked to repair damages to the large holding tanks and support systems. They used the repaired system to download fuel into an Air Force fuel truck for aircraft use later that evening.
Fuel is now pumped out of one of the three main tanks at the farm, but Varnicle said there is still a lot of work to be done. For example, the electrical and pumping facilities need improvements, and two more tanks need to be repaired.
"It's taking some time; it's a slow process," he said. "You have to realize this fuel farm hasn't been fully functional since the 1991 Gulf War."
The Iraqis said they are pleased that the team is helping restore the facility.
"It is very easy (to work with Americans) because all these guys are smart and hard workers," said Hassan Haten, Iraqi team leader and translator.
Some of the Iraqi team members worked as many as 16 years at the facility before the war.
"We wanted to re-employ the people that worked here before, and together with the Air Force bring the fuel farm back," said Varnicle. "Our goal is to turn it back over to the civilian population of Iraq as soon as possible."
The fuel is used for heavy aircraft, such as the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules, which transit Baghdad's airport.
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