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Show HILLTOP TIMES TimEs May 5, 2011 An internal view of the pump room of the new Type III Constant Pressure System shows a portion of the nine pumps available to send fuel to locations closer to the flightline. KIM COOK U.S. Air Force Delivering fuel more efficiently, faster and with less manpower Hill AFB's new fuel hydrant system greeted enthusiastically by 75th LRS BY CAPT. CODY HONEYCUTT 75th LRS A new fuel delivery system was officially turned over to Hill Air Force Base as Col. Patrick Higby, installation commander, cut the ribbon at a short ceremony April 22 with Airmen from the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron assisting him. The new system changes the way large aircraft will be refueled at the base. The $30 million Type III Constant Pressure System, with two 450,000 gallon storage tanks and more than two miles of pipe, effectively cuts in half the amount of time it takes to fuel larger airframe aircraft. "Before, if we had to fuel a large frame aircraft, say there was a heavy airframe where our folks had to get it ready to go some place fast — now it gives us the ability to refuel large quantities in about half the time instead of using multiple trucks (to do the same thing)," said Capt. Cody Honeycutt. The new hydrant system allows Airmen of the 75th LRS Fuels Management Flight to deliver JP-8 with the R-12 Hydrant Servicing Vehicle, and closely mirrors systems in use at many large aerial ports and commercial airports. The new system allows Airmen to hook up to as many as nine hydrant outlets refueling aircraft on the spot reducing the amount of manpower and equipment required during refueling operations. In the past you would have to dispatch four or five refueling trucks and multiple operators; the new system allows one operator and one R-12 to handle just about any size fuel request in approximately half the time. This saves on wear and tear on the vehicles and will increase the efficiency of operations. "I was happy when we first got here and they said we were going to get (the system)," said Staff Sgt. Maurice Dixon. "We'll take things that make our job easier, any day of the week," said Senior Airman Daniel Johnson. Both of them work with the R-12 Hydrant Servicing Vehicles and can vouch for the efficiency the new system brings and its convenience. Left, 75th Mission Support Squadron Commander Col. Joe Scherrer gets a tour of the facility from Staff Sgt. Shane Perry, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron. At left, installation commander Col. Patrick Higby (right), cuts the ribbon at the April 22 ceremony with the help of Senior Airman Michael Bialaski, 75th LRS, and Maj. Craig Hodges. Above, dials and switches are visible on the R-12 Hydrant Servicing Vehicle. |