thedrifter
09-07-03, 07:06 AM
Marines pump life into Corps' equipment
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003943725
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan(September 4, 2003) -- Marines taking part in combat operations are accustomed to having the tools they need to get the job done. Traditionally, a rifle squad does not have to wait around for ammunition, chow and water to get to them... and fuel should be no different.
For the Marines at Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, every day passes with the comfort of knowing they have done their job supporting the petroleum needs of III Marine Expeditionary Force units, explains Gunnery Sgt. Charles D. Matthews, company gunnery sergeant.
"The mission of Bulk Fuel Company is to provide class three products to III MEF units in both garrison and field operations," the Cabot, Pa. native said. "Class three products consist of any petroleum product the Marine Corps needs such as JP8, JP5, and MOGAS."
The 111 Marines who make up the company also deploy with units on various III MEF exercises. Bulk Fuel Company deploys out teams of two to five Marines depending on the prominence of the exercise and its fuel requirements may be.
While performing their job of providing petroleum to the MEF, the company also uses several tools to get their job done.
"One of the main pieces of equipment we use is what we call a six-con," Matthews stated. "It consists of five 900 gallon tanks connected to one pump, hence the name 'six-con,' because it's connected at six different points."
Other tools include 500-gallon fuel bladders referred to as pods, a 125 gallon per minute pump, an expedient refueling system or ERS, and a tactical fuel system or TFS which stores 1.2 million gallons of fuel enabling five miles of distribution capabilities.
As for the importance of the company, and what it does for units on Okinawa, Matthews declares the MEF would not be as mobile as it is today without Bulk Fuel Company.
"No fuel, no fight," Matthews summed up with a smile. "The Marine Corps relies quite a bit on vehicles and generators during its operations. Without us to pump fuel into the trucks, the MEF would spend a lot of money at gas stations each time it wanted to move troops anywhere."
The Bulk Fuel Marines not only take care of Marines on Okinawa, but they also have a hand in assisting other services' fuel needs claimed 1st Sgt. Connie P. Arline, company first sergeant.
"We have a handful of Marines attached to some units outside the Marine Corps in addition to what we have here," the Albany, Ga. native said. "For example, one of our sergeants is currently assigned to the Army's 505th Quartermaster Battalion where he assists them in testing all the fuel that comes into Okinawa."
Arline also added the success of her company is due to the tremendous leadership abilities of the company's staff noncommissioned officers and noncommissioned officers.
"Last year the officer and SNCO of the year awards given to Bulk Fuel Marines [Marine Corps-wide] were awarded to Marines in this company, and this year the SNCO and NCO of the year awards came from this company as well," Arline concluded. "That is just a testimony to the caliber of Marines we have working here."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20039433050/$file/BULKFUEL02.gif
Private first class Timothy E. Selby, Cleveland native, spends time making sure hoses from the Expedient Refueling System are properly secured to one of the 500-gallon bladders that Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd FSSG uses.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20039434222/$file/BULKFUEL04.gif
Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Stappen, a Boston native assigned to Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd FSSG, checks to see if the pump nozzle from the Expedient Refueling System is working properly.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003943725
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan(September 4, 2003) -- Marines taking part in combat operations are accustomed to having the tools they need to get the job done. Traditionally, a rifle squad does not have to wait around for ammunition, chow and water to get to them... and fuel should be no different.
For the Marines at Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, every day passes with the comfort of knowing they have done their job supporting the petroleum needs of III Marine Expeditionary Force units, explains Gunnery Sgt. Charles D. Matthews, company gunnery sergeant.
"The mission of Bulk Fuel Company is to provide class three products to III MEF units in both garrison and field operations," the Cabot, Pa. native said. "Class three products consist of any petroleum product the Marine Corps needs such as JP8, JP5, and MOGAS."
The 111 Marines who make up the company also deploy with units on various III MEF exercises. Bulk Fuel Company deploys out teams of two to five Marines depending on the prominence of the exercise and its fuel requirements may be.
While performing their job of providing petroleum to the MEF, the company also uses several tools to get their job done.
"One of the main pieces of equipment we use is what we call a six-con," Matthews stated. "It consists of five 900 gallon tanks connected to one pump, hence the name 'six-con,' because it's connected at six different points."
Other tools include 500-gallon fuel bladders referred to as pods, a 125 gallon per minute pump, an expedient refueling system or ERS, and a tactical fuel system or TFS which stores 1.2 million gallons of fuel enabling five miles of distribution capabilities.
As for the importance of the company, and what it does for units on Okinawa, Matthews declares the MEF would not be as mobile as it is today without Bulk Fuel Company.
"No fuel, no fight," Matthews summed up with a smile. "The Marine Corps relies quite a bit on vehicles and generators during its operations. Without us to pump fuel into the trucks, the MEF would spend a lot of money at gas stations each time it wanted to move troops anywhere."
The Bulk Fuel Marines not only take care of Marines on Okinawa, but they also have a hand in assisting other services' fuel needs claimed 1st Sgt. Connie P. Arline, company first sergeant.
"We have a handful of Marines attached to some units outside the Marine Corps in addition to what we have here," the Albany, Ga. native said. "For example, one of our sergeants is currently assigned to the Army's 505th Quartermaster Battalion where he assists them in testing all the fuel that comes into Okinawa."
Arline also added the success of her company is due to the tremendous leadership abilities of the company's staff noncommissioned officers and noncommissioned officers.
"Last year the officer and SNCO of the year awards given to Bulk Fuel Marines [Marine Corps-wide] were awarded to Marines in this company, and this year the SNCO and NCO of the year awards came from this company as well," Arline concluded. "That is just a testimony to the caliber of Marines we have working here."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20039433050/$file/BULKFUEL02.gif
Private first class Timothy E. Selby, Cleveland native, spends time making sure hoses from the Expedient Refueling System are properly secured to one of the 500-gallon bladders that Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd FSSG uses.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20039434222/$file/BULKFUEL04.gif
Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Stappen, a Boston native assigned to Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd FSSG, checks to see if the pump nozzle from the Expedient Refueling System is working properly.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: