Top-notch fuels professionals show importance of FARP team

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  A competition held March 23 here saw four potential team members compete for a place with the elite Airmen who are part of the Forward Air Refueling Point team.

The FARP first came about after the 1980 Iran hostage rescue attempt. After this event, the Air Force realized the need for a highly-efficient way to transfer fuel from one aircraft to another, in non-standard and hostile environments.

FARP teams primarily attach to special operation forces to expand their mission capabilities. The FARP provide SOF with a means of hot-refueling from tanker aircraft to receiver aircraft, such as helicopters.

"FARP is a refueling point that primarily works with special operation units to provide fuel to aircraft that have no other means of being refueled, no matter the location," said Master Sgt. David Vanwinkle, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron section chief of fuels operations. "FARP is like the special operations of the fuels squadron, and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Even with the importance of the FARP mission, there are only five locations throughout the Air Force with teams flying FARP missions. These bases include Kadena Air Base, Japan; RAF Mildenhall, England; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.; and Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

The responsibility for these five teams, their equipment and all FARP missions falls under Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field.

Any fuels Airmen wanting to join the FARP team must undergo a challenge course tryout, specially designed to mimic the process of an actual FARP mission.

The FARP challenge course requires the member drag out a 300-foot fuels hose, return to the start point to pick up a five-gallon canister of water, a 20-pound fire extinguisher and a squeegee, before returning to the 300-foot marker.

They finish by rolling a 95-pound fuel hose and running it back to the starting point.

"I wanted to be on the other side of fuels doing what few other people get the chance to do," said Airman 1st Class Marcus Green, 100th LRS fuels apprentice, who was one of the most recent applicants. "FARP makes sure that helicopters have enough fuel to get the mission done, or to just get back home, whether they are in hostile territory or another hazardous area."