• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Refuelers keep Marine aviation ready for anti-terrorism missions on Iraqi border

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 200412210236
Story by Cpl. Paul Leicht

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq (Dec 21, 2004) -- The remote gravel flight line here can be a quiet place, but it can suddenly transform into a bustling center of gravity for Marines on the job in Iraq's bleak western desert.

Although chilly, windy days and colder nights have replaced the intense heat of summer, Marine anti-terrorism operations near Iraq's borders go on. Sometimes the only thing needed to keep Marines in the air and in the fight is a full tank of gas.

When incoming Marine helicopters descend for a crew swap or to offload passengers and supplies, waiting below are aviation fuels Marines nicknamed 'Grapes' for the standardized color of their protective headgear.

"Depending on the flight schedule, day or night, we have to be prepared to refuel any incoming helicopters before they take off again," said Lance Cpl. Roderick Owens, fuel pump operator, Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, who wears the purple cranial helmet. "We also can help load or unload the aircraft."

As helicopters touch down in the refueling pits, the preparations on the ground resemble a well-choreographed custom.

While crew chiefs and passengers disembark, refueling procedures are closely coordinated with aircrews and flight line operations. If pilots signal that their aircraft needs fuel, the 'Grapes' signal each other and step smoothly into action with clearly defined, team roles.

"Before we refuel the bird our motor transport Marines prepare and set up the grounding wire," said Cpl. Joshua M. Lindemann, fuels noncommissioned officer in charge, MWSS-373, and a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. "We also have fire extinguishers on hand and crash-fire-rescue teams ready in the case of an emergency or a spill. Then the fueler takes the fuel hose up to the crew chief who hooks it up to the bird. Then we signal the pump man to start the flow of fuel."

Once the fuel begins to flow in the pits, safety is closely monitored and the amount of fuel passed is gauged.

Weather aside, the work environment for the 'Grapes' can be active with hazards. It is a mixture of spinning, high-speed rotor blades cutting the air, rowdy engine noise, dust, heavy hoses and volatile fuel flowing from fuel bladders in the ground to the aircraft's tanks.

Korean Village's 'hot' refueling pits can become more extreme in the darkness of night where the fuels Marines of MWSS-373 arm themselves with colored glow sticks to enhance visibility and work safely.

"Doing things safely is very important for us," explained Owens. "At night you really have to watch your step, but you have to be aware of your surroundings out here at all times. Our fuel line noncommissioned officer is also our safety officer and is always out there. Sometimes our staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge is out there too. They both make sure everything is safe so we get the job done right and make it home."