Luke fuels team named best in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shawn McCowan
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  For over ten years the fuels flight has placed among the top fuels units in the Air Education and Training Command. This year they finally got to bring home the gold.

To add to their achievement, they didn't stop at "best in AETC." They went on to be named "Best fuels management flight in the Air Force."

The fuels management flight is responsible for storing and issuing over 48 million gallons of aviation fuel annually to the Air Force's largest fighter wing in conjunction with the resource control center; a 24-hour operation which maintains command and control of all fuels assets.

Many criteria were considered for the nomination, and teamwork proved to be key.

The standard response time for a fuels call is 30 minutes.

The 56th fuels team's average was half that time.

Another key to their success was accurately projecting fuel usage. The higher the accuracy, the better the unit's effectiveness.

The fuels team managed 98 percent accuracy.

New systems usage is yet another area judged during the competition. Fuels units can be selected to implement new programs as they are approved for field use.

"The 56th has the largest all-truck operation in the Air Force. Most other bases have gone to a hydrant system. That's just not feasible here, and so we end up getting the chance to test many new systems," said Capt. Gregory Christiansen, fuels flight commander.

Captain Christiansen put together a team with hopes of submitting an unbeatable package. The team recorded the flight's accomplishments throughout the year and even included photos of some of the staff in action.

Even though they were confident with their skills, he wondered if their success would be recognized when compared to the other large bases'.

"I thought we would never have a chance just because we're an AETC base. Instead we were recognized as the best, which is exactly what these people are."

Being called the best fuels unit in the AETC is a difficult thing in itself. Earning "best fuels unit in the Air Force" is another.

Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Thomas, fuels management flight superintendent, knew just how difficult it was to win this award.

"This flight got what they deserve. We've put in years of hard work, but we've always placed and never won. We compete against some pretty robust operations. Nellis and Kadina are big fuels flights. It's gratifying to know these people overcame all obstacles and got to the big show," said Chief Thomas.

The 56th fuels team was the only AETC unit represented in the Air Force.