Fuels management issue corrected at Offutt, implemented throughout Air Force

  • Published
  • By Delanie Stafford
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Offutt fuels specialists from the 55th Logistics Readiness Squadron recently identified a mechanical deficiency on Offutt's fleet of R-12 Hydrant Servicing Vehicles that has led to inspections of R-12 units throughout the Air Force.

The problem stems from a hose nozzle that can leak fuel if its valve does not close correctly.

"Spilling fuel is one of our cardinal sins," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kasey Saunders, 55th LRS fuels operations section chief. "Our trucks aren't designed to leak. Our team identified a problem that could have potentially caused significant safety and environmental risks."

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jordan Thompson, 55th LRS fuels preventative maintenance technician, identified the problem when a nozzle that was put away continued to leak fuel following an aircraft servicing run.

Thompson assessed the truck's equipment and determined it was a small bolt that needed adjusting in order to keep the valves properly closed.

With the help of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Keoni Brede, 55th LRS NCO in charge of preventative maintenance, they corrected the problem in less than 20 minutes.

"It was an easy fix for us, and it cost nothing," Brede said. "Unscrew the bolt, adjust, and retighten."

Thompson and his team checked the remainder of Offutt's R-12 units and found the same problem with all four trucks.

"We checked every single truck and noticed none of them were set up to stop the valves from opening," Brede said.

Brede's team forwarded the discrepancy to the Air Force Petroleum Agency and a service bulletin was issued across the Air Force to inspect all R-12 units.

To date, 26 units have been fixed at seven other locations.

"If no one was looking at this one piece, which is just a small bolt, it could have led to serious hazards," Brede said.

Brede said they are confident they've permanently fixed the problem at Offutt, but they'll continue to keep an eye on it as part of regular inspections.