• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Task Force Ramadi Increases Fuel Flow

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080521-13
Release Date: 5/21/2008 5:04:00 PM

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Boucher, Task Force Ramadi Public Affairs

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq (NNS) -- Members of Task Force Ramadi, conducted an Operational and Maintenance inspection on recently installed equipment at the Railway Fuel Platform (RFP) in Ramadi on May 14.

This inspection marks one of the final steps towards doubling the amount of fuel that can be brought in for Ramadi and all of Al Anbar citizens.

"The capacity to move fuel has increased by 300 percent in the past 60 days," said Lt. Cmdr. Doug Kunzman. "The train station will more than double that capacity."

Kunzman is one of several Task Force Ramadi members supporting the Department of State's embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT) 2-Ramadi. The ePRTs assist the local governments in building their capacity to govern more effectively and deliver essential services. The ePRT-Ramadi is focusing on strengthening the capacity of the municipal government to transition to Iraqi self-reliance.

Just two months ago, Kunzman assisted in bringing the nearby Fuel Distribution Center (FDC) up to increased capacity by helping the Iraqi engineers operate a newly-installed fuel system. That system supports the on loading and off loading of fuel brought in by truck convoys.

"Getting the RFP up and running will allow them to bring in fuel faster and more efficiently," said Kunzman.

During the visit to the RFP, Kunzman inspected newly-installed pumping stations and provided a list of work that still needs to be completed to bring the system on line. Once the work at the station is completed, the RFP will be connected to the FDC, just two miles away.

"Once the pipes are connected, flushed and tested, we will have the ability to start bringing fuel in by train from refineries in Basra," Kunzman said.

"The long-term plan is to increase the amount of electricity available on the national grid," Kunzman said. "Until then, spot generator electricity will fill the gap."

Today, many generators in and around Ramadi, supporting everything from businesses to water treatment plants, stand idle due to a shortage of fuel. In some areas, electricity is limited to just a few hours per day.

"Spot generation power could double the amount of local power available to Ramadi," said Kunzman. "If we were able to get fuel and run those generators, then they could potentially supply Tameem, which is an industrial section of Ramadi right outside the [Camp Ramadi] gate that includes several factories and government entities.

"The main focus is that we want the schools, factories and hospitals to have electricity," said Kunzman. "We want those entities that employ people, move the economy and make the government work to get more power. It's a loop. Once you get a factory up and running more people have jobs, more money is paid to those people, more people buy gas, the gas becomes cheaper and more available, and on and on."

The final inspection of the RFP is expected to take place in early June. Kunzman explained fuel for the generators will be allocated to all the ministries to include agriculture, health, education, governance and security.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.