Refueling

Tech. Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Bowman, 113th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Lab technician, from the D.C. Air National Guard, fuels up an U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft with an alternative bio-fuel blend made up of 50 percent camelina-based bio-fuel and 50 percent regular Jet Propellant 8 (JP-8) fuel, while Staff Sgt. Luke Miller, Thunderbird aircraft maintainer, watches. More than 3,000 gallons of bio-fuel was mixed with 3,000 gallons of JP-8 for use by the Thunderbirds for the 2011 Joint Service Open House. The air show will run from May 20 to 22, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Craig Clapper)

2011 Joint Service Open House

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbird's flight demonstration team aircraft stand ready for their post performance inspection and maintenance following their demonstration at the 2011 Joint Service Open House here May 21. The JSOH affords the public an opportunity to meet the men and women of the Armed Forces and to see military equipment from the Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. The JSOH is planned and conducted through the efforts of active duty, guard and reserve servicemembers, as well as civilian employees, retirees and family members. (U.S. Marine Corps. photo)

Air Guard refueling trucks provide alternative fuel to Thunderbirds

Published May 21, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Tyrell Heaton
113th Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Refueling trucks from the 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard will provide an alternative fuel to the Air Force Thunderbirds at the 2011 Joint Service Open House, Joint Base Andrews, Md., May 20 to 21.

Air National Guard personnel from the 113th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant team will be responsible for providing the alternative fuel blend for aircrafts five and six of the U.S. Air Force's Demonstration Team, also known as the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform during the JSOH, making them the first Department of Defense aerial demonstration team to fly on an alternative fuel.

"Usually Trend Western contractors handle all the refueling for the JSOH, so when we got the request we were thrilled to support the Thunderbirds, especially as a Guard unit," said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Bowman, 113 LRS fuels lab technician. "They are a big reason why I joined the Air Force in the first place. I am a big believer in alternative energy and I'm glad to see that the Air Force has added bio-fuel to it's resume of energy initiatives."

The hydro-treated renewable jet fuel is a blend of regular Jet Propellant 8 (JP-8) fuel and a plant seed, camelina-based bio-fuel. The Air Force is also testing and evaluating biomass fuels derived from beef tallow and various waste oils and greases.

The Air Force Petroleum Agency's Alternative Fuels Certification Office requested the support of the 113 LRS to use an R-11 refueling truck to refuel two of the Thunderbird's F-16C Fighting Falcon aircrafts. AFPET delivered 3,000 gallons of the bio-fuel to Joint Base Andrews and blended it with 3,000 gallons of JP-8 on site.

The blend was recirculated for 10 minutes. Samples were taken and analyzed at the Trend Western fuels laboratory at Joint Base Andrews.

"It was the first time any of us had tested bio-fuel so it drew a good crowd," said Sergeant Bowman. "The lab results were virtually identical to JP-8."

"Aircraft five and six conducted a practice with the fuel Friday and plan to fly the bio-fuel in Saturday's performance," said Maj. Kristin Haley, Thunderbird No. 12 public affairs officer. "The solo maneuvers display the maximum capabilities of the F-16 and flying the bio-fuel in their jets was the perfect choice."

"The Air Force has always been a big driver in aviation technology and this only continues that great tradition," said Sergeant Bowman. "Several aircraft in the Air Force inventory are fully certified already and I wouldn't be surprised to start seeing this bio-fuel showing up on a grand scale, provided the logistics can be worked out to provide the kind of quantities needed to support a busy global mission."

To date, the Air Force has tested and certified bio-fuel as a 50 percent blend with regular jet fuel in the A-10, F-15, C-17 and F-22 aircraft. Fleet-wide certification is on track for completion in 2013.