Fueling Incirlik, POL feeds mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wilson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants flight supplies fuel to all Incirlik aircraft and assets, an undertaking which could not be accomplished without the 24 Airmen currently deployed to Incirlik to augment permanent party 
personnel. 

The group is comprised of Airmen from Eielson, Travis, Cannon and McCord Air Force Bases and the Air National Guard bases of Colorado and Utah. 

Master Sgt. Steve Effenbeck, 39 LRS distribution superintendant, said these Airmen transport more than six million gallons of fuel per month used by aircraft and ground vehicles at Incirlik. 

Distribution is the primary service provided by Incirlik's deployed POL members and according to Sergeant Effenbeck, "Distribution is where the rubber meets the road." 

Approximately 1,400 trips from the fuel storage tank to the aircraft are made each month and seventy-two percent of these trips are performed with the R-11 refueler.
Utilizing the R-11, a POL tanker designed to refuel aircraft, requires two people to for fill it with fuel, drive to the aircraft for fueling and make a return trip to refill the R-11. 

"It is probably the most labor intensive way of refueling," said Sergeant Effenbeck. "However, it is also the most reliable and flexible." 

Along with distribution, there are several other aspects of POL. The resource control center is used as a central information hub for the flight and also has deployed personnel augmenting permanent party Airmen. All information from the field is routed through the RCC to best serve the customer. 

Other sections of the POL flight include storage, management and the fuels laboratory. As the name implies, storage 'stores' large quantities of fuel needed to supply the base. Management receives operational requirements and manages the people. 

Finally, the fuels laboratory tests the fuel to ensure it meets the Air Force's standards and specifications. 

With millions of gallons of volatile fuel being transported every month, it is easy to see why safety would be a big priority for any POL flight. 

All Incirlik POL vehicles and fuel systems are checked daily. Sergeant Effenbeck said it is important POL Airmen stay vigilant for leaks while refueling as anytime fuel gets outside of the system it has the potential to catch fire. 

In addition to strict safety measures, the POL flight works long shifts to ensure Incirlik's mission is completed. 

"Knowing how much our Airmen sacrifice by working 12-hour shifts in the hot sun makes me proud," said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Ybarra, 39 LRS distribution supervisor. 

The POL flight is critical to the transporting of cargo and personnel to Afghanistan and Iraq. 

"The biggest reward you get is you know you put the fuel on the plane that is going to carry out its mission," said Sergeant Effenbeck. "Whatever the aircraft's mission is, you are part of that because you fueled it."