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Reservists from Nebraska Support Guam Mission at Fuel Farm

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100122-30
Release Date: 1/22/2010 4:10:00 PM

By Jesse Leon Guerrero, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Reservists from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 7, out of Omaha, Neb., supported operations at U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) Fuel Farm Division Jan. 9-21.

The 10 members of NCHB 7's Fuels Company spent their time transferring fuel, loading and unloading tankers and barges, and completing fabrication projects on NBG. They also observed fuel operations conducted at Andersen Air Force Base Guam.

Chief Machinist's Mate (SS) Charles Lupori, of NCHB 7, said the assignment to Guam fulfills their Reserve requirement for two weeks of annual training. Lupori added he and other members of the group had also finished a 10-month deployment to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, which ended in August 2009.

"We know that the sole purpose of a reservist is to be ready and to be fully trained, and ready to go whenever we're needed," Lupori said. "We know this is what our job is and we're proud to serve our country and do our part."

The NBG fuel farm employs a total of 14 civil service and private contractor employees, with the mission of supporting the warfighter through the pumping, storage and transferring of marine and aviation fuels.

Joseph Quinata, NBG fuel farm manager, said Reservists are integrated into operations by working with the division's current employees to learn firsthand and then apply their newly obtained knowledge to where they are mobilized. Quinata said the fuel farm expects to receive more reservists through the rest of the fiscal year.

"The more training that they receive, the better off they are," Quinata said.

Yeoman 1st Class Randy Poppino, of NCHB 7, said the daily work increases their skill sets, while providing extra manpower to areas where they serve.

"This is what we're tasked to do so we can get that hands-on experience that we need to do our job," Poppino said.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class David Melia, of NCHB 7, said some of the training and skills they already have benefitted the fuel farm. Melia explained he has experience as a rancher in Nebraska and as an active-duty aviation machinist's mate.

"The mechanical and the welding certification helps do any welding they need to do around here as far as fabricating signs or anything else they need fabricating," Melia said.

NCHB 7 personnel built several metal signs and racks, performed basic maintenance and set up an electronic key box system for the fuel farm. They also volunteered to tutor students at F.Q. Sanchez Elementary School, which is one of Guam's public schools.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.navy.mil/local/guam/.