MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The mission of the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Fuels Division is a lot more diverse than some people may think.  Not only are they responsible for fueling aircraft, but also running the station fuel farms, liquid oxygen tanks and the station gas station where government vehicles refuel.  They must also test the fuel daily for sediment and water and ensure it is good enough for use in aircraft.

Although Fuels is heavily depended upon, it often goes unnoticed.  People often take for granted that fuel will be there when they need it.  Many don't stop to think about how much they really need fuel.

"The Marine Corps is dependent on fuel," said Staff Sgt. Keith N. Greening, Fuels operations chief.  "I get a lot of grunts that tell me that they don't need it.  I tell them that they can't walk everywhere.  Eventually they will need to ride on a high-mobility, multi-purpose wheeled vehicle or a five-ton, or they will need to get re-supplied by an aircraft, which requires fuel.  Even field generators require fuel."

The unit has several tools to accomplish their important mission.  There are two fuel lines on the flightline.  One is an in-line fuel line with 16 fueling points for jets and one is an octagonal fuel line with eight fueling points for helicopters.  About 15 fuel trucks make fuel runs to all the squadrons on the flight line.  Another truck delivers heating fuel to buildings around the station.  The station gas station keeps all the five-tons, HMMWVs, and other government vehicles running, according to Greening.

Although the unit has all the tools it needs to effectively accomplish its mission, it is often short on the number of Marines and civilians it needs to work those tools.  That means the units small number of personnel must often work long hours. 

"As long as the airfield is open, we are open," said Greening.  "Last year we wanted to have a shop party, but we couldn't get a day off during the work week.  If the airfield is going, we're going.  Some of the Marines ended up giving up one of their days off so we could have the party."

Although the heavily-tasked unit is small on quantity, it is high on quality.  The unit pumps about four million gallons of JP-5 jet fuel every month if all of the squadrons are flying.

"We have quite a crew here.  We're a tight group.  I've been in 14 years and these are some of the best Marines I've ever worked with," said Greening.  "We don't have anyone with office hours or in any kind of trouble.  My Marines are really motivated to do their jobs." Marines aren't the only workers in the unit.  Many highly experienced civilians share the workload and take care of most of the fuel truck runs.

"Our shop is about 50 percent civilians and 50 percent Marines," said Greening.  "Most of our civilians are retired Navy and we have a really good working relationship.  They aren't just walking off the streets, they are civilians with military backgrounds.  They bring their military knowledge into the mix and between them and us, we get the job done the way it is supposed to be done."

That job starts at 6 a.m. every day when the unit reports to work and pulls fuel samples from every fueling point and every fuel truck.  A Marine then tests those samples for impurities in the fuel including water and sediments. If the fuel contains too many sediments fuel lines inside the aircraft could become clogged and cause a serious problem during flight.  Water in the fuel could freeze at high altitudes and, likewise, clog the fuel lines, according to Sgt. Antonio Diaz, quality assurance non-commissioned officer.  After all the samples are taken, the Marines walk across their area and pick up any foreign object debris.  Once the FOD walk is over they prepare for a busy day in the "hot" refueling pits where they must always be on their toes.  Refueling hot, running aircraft can be dangerous.  There are regulations on top of regulations to ensure safety.  It is the Fuels Marines' job to ensure the pilots and squadron personnel follow all regulations.

"I take the regulations very seriously," said Greening.  "I believe every rule was written on the blood of a Marine, so we enforce all the regulations very strictly.  Hot refueling is a very hazardous mission."
Although the refueling trucks don't refuel running aircraft, they too must be cautious.  Whether it is in the flight line fueling points, fueling trucks, the gas station or at the fuel farm, fuel can be dangerous.

Thanks to H&HS Fuels personnel facing the danger and working the long hours, the air station and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing will always be ready to answer the call.