ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. -- Two U.S. Air Force Multi-Capable Airmen assisted 177th Logistics Readiness Squadron Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants (POL) fuels management flight in downloading Jet A with Additives (JAA) fuel over multiple deliveries to the 177th Fighter Wing, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, June 12, 2024.
The fuel was supplied by the 418th Quartermaster Battalion, Silverbell Armed Forces Reserve Center, Marana, Arizona, and shipped by the 298th Transportation Company, Franklin United States Army Reserve Center, Franklin, Pennsylvania, and the 705th Transportation Company, LaPointe United States Army Reserve Center, Dayton, Ohio, temporarily operating out of field conditions and bladder farm on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
The Defense Logistics Agency - Energy (DLA-E) Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercise 2024 (QLLEX) is an exercise used to practice the DLA-E Concept of Operations alternate fuel delivery method to ensure uninterrupted fuel sustainment for the defense of the homeland, or disaster response.
“This exercise demonstrated the Army Reserve’s ability to sustain liquid logistics operations and be a viable bulk petroleum transportation capability for DLA Energy Americas in the event of a disruption in commercial transportation nodes,” said DLA Energy Americas Operations Officer Ray Juré.
The collaboration between Army Reserve soldiers, who serve as a reliable means of transporting JAA, and the MCA, who are trained to excel in multiple career fields, demonstrates the U.S. armed forces’ preparedness in fueling the fight.
The Air Force is actively working to shift the mindset of its people to be multi-capable while identifying advanced training for specific career specialties to prepare Airmen for Air Force Force Generation deployments in support of Agile Combat Employment operations. During the 177FW POL MCA Familiarization training, Airmen of different careers learn R-11 Refueler operation and maintenance, cryogenic operations, fuels laboratory operations and basic fuel service center operations. After the course has been completed, those MCA are qualified to assist POL when needed.
The Fuels management team brought two Multi-Capable Airmen over to POL to assist in the fuel drops. Staff Sgt. Kaitlin R. Delucca, 177th Logistics Readiness Squadron chief inspector and 177th LRS POL Flight's MCA class graduate, supported DLA-E QLLEX 2024, downloading fuel from 14 Army tank trailers. Airman 1st Class Gabriel Sotelo, 177th Medical Group commander support staff member and 177th LRS POL Flight's MCA class graduate, supported DLA-E QLLEX 2024, downloading fuel from 10 Army tank trailers.
“The Multi-Capable Airmen provided the manpower to assist the fuels management flight in downloading JAA fuel over multiple deliveries,” said Tech. Sgt. Charles A. Zingrone, 177th LRS fuels flight chief. “They also used this exercise to requalify on the tasks they learned during last year’s MCA training.”