R-11 trucks, operators ensure flow of fuel

Senior Airman Casey Jernigan, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Distribution operator from Pontotoc, Miss., removes the hose of an R-11 refueling truck July 22, 2013, at RAF Mildenhall, England. Jernigan worked with another Airman who grounded the truck through cables attached to the underside of the vehicle. During refueling, both the truck and the aircraft are grounded to prevent sparks; which, could ignite the fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Preston Webb/Released)

R-11 trucks, operators ensure flow of fuel

Senior Airman Jonathan Gipson, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Distribution operator from Lansing, Mich. points out the pump pressure gauge on an R-11 refueling truck July 22, 2013, on RAF Mildenhall, England. Safety limits are marked in red on the gauges to prevent damage to the trucks. While using the pumps of an R-11 refueling truck, Airmen must maintain very specific speeds to keep the fuel pressure under control and safe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Preston Webb/Released)

R-11 trucks, operators ensure flow of fuel

Senior Airman Casey Jernigan from Pontotoc, Miss., 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Distribution operator, connects a pantograph to an R-11 refueling truck July 22, 2013, on RAF Mildenhall, England. A pantograph is a set of mobile pipes which connects aircraft or equipment, such as refueling trucks, to a fuel-hydrant system. On RAF Mildenhall, R-11 refueling trucks are used to refuel aircraft or equipment when access to the fuel hydrant system isn’t possible, or less than 30,000 pounds of fuel is required. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Preston Webb/Released)

R-11 trucks, operators ensure flow of fuel

Published July 23, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Preston Webb
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- The 100th Air Refueling Wing's Mission relies heavily on the base's ability to quickly and efficiently refuel aircraft and equipment on the ground.

While on the ground at RAF Mildenhall, aircraft are either refueled by an underground fuel hydrant system or by R-11 refueling trucks. Without these, providing and employing global-air refueling, combat-air support and expeditionary forces alike would not be as smooth a process as Team Mildenhall makes it.

"The R-11 refueling trucks are used when less than 30,000 pounds of fuel is required," said Senior Airman Jonathan Gipson, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Distribution operator from Lansing, Mich. "Normally, that means the trucks are used for smaller aircraft or just to top-off larger aircraft"

The trucks are capable of carrying up to 40,000 pounds of Jet Propulsion grade 8 fuel, and they can pump it out at a rate of up to 600 gallons per minute if needed.

This much fuel, coming out this quickly, means truck operators have no margin for error while refueling aircraft, filling a truck or emptying a truck for maintenance.

The experience of the operators at the pump is always backed up by the use of step-by-step Fuels Services Checklists, so there's never any doubt, with the refueling processes.

"As an expeditor, I double check to make sure the driver is doing everything correctly," Gipson said. "It's always nice to have a second pair of eyes."

In addition to accomplishing the mission at home, trucks can be sent to fulfill expeditionary ground refueling needs in environments or at bases where there are no fuel hydrant systems.

No matter the location, R-11 operators are dedicated to keeping their trucks running and the fuel flowing to accomplish the mission.

"Our mobile distribution operators are the backbone to the fuels management mission," said Master Sgt. David Vanwinkle, 100th LRS Fuels superintendent from Chanute, Kan. "They are the key component in the daily success here at Mildenhall and in the Air Force."