JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- Airmen from the 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Management Flight here traveled to Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., to provide much-needed fuel Nov. 4.
Hurricane Sandy left Naval Weapons Station Earle without power, rendering the base's fuel pumps useless. The 87th LRS leadership tasked the fuels flight to deploy to the naval base to dispense diesel and unleaded fuel to military and Federal Emergency Management Agency vehicles in addition to gasoline containers. This irregular mission required Airmen to be flexible and adapt to new situations.
"Flexibility is the key to the success for the Air Force and the fuels flight," said Senior Master Sgt. Jon Kristof, 87th LRS FMF chief. "LRS must ensure everybody who needs fuel receives it, making LRS one of the most diverse units on this base."
Fuels flight Airmen are refueling boats and ground vehicles, in addition to their standard aircraft. The Airmen retain resiliency despite unorthodox hours and mission requirements.
"We don't usually drive anywhere off base; our operations are predominately conducted on our own installation," said Airman 1st Class John Thomas, 87th LRS fuels flight distributor. "Helping out our sister service feels very rewarding."
Helping sister services with fuel will augment their fuel supply during the recovery effort. This allows the base to assist with its own recovery operations.
"NWSE normally gets their fuel from suppliers in the local community," said Kristof. "The fuel supply we provide will ensure the service members on base have basic amenities and first-response vehicles are operational."
As NWSE serves its role in recovery, the FMF Airmen will be able to resume normal and recovery operations at home.
Kristof said, between fueling sister services and keeping our own aircraft filled with fuel, these Airmen are willing to do what it takes.
For more information on JB MDL's support in Hurricane Sandy recovery operations., please visit the JB MDL home page at www.jointbasemdl.af.mil; the Flickr photostream at www.flickr.com/photos/jointbasemdl; and the joint base Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JBMDL.