POL: Refueling round-the-clock

by Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

8/4/2014 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- When many people are getting up for work, having rested at home, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants Airmen are heading home after working the night shift. Rather than sleeping at night, they have been keeping planes in the air by providing fuel round-the-clock.

Whether it's blisteringly hot or freezing cold on the exposed flight line, these Airmen carry on getting the mission done.

One such Airman is U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Adam Geffre, 100th LRS Fuels distribution operator from Phoenix, Arizona.

His role is vital to RAF Mildenhall and its mission. Without him providing fuel, pilots wouldn't be able to fly, and vehicle operators wouldn't be able to drive.

In the dark of night, Geffre issues fuel to all aircraft and many government vehicles that come to RAF Mildenhall. Many people would find working the night shift a chore, something they do because they have to, but not Geffre. For this young Airman, it's the people who make a job worthwhile, and he is learning a great deal from his wingmen.

"The things that I enjoy most about my job are the fellow Airmen I work with and the various types of aircraft that I get to work so closely alongside," Geffre said.

He soaks up as much knowledge as his fellow shift workers give him, and these practical skills are vital in order to get a potentially dangerous job done, not only during daylight hours while surrounded by a full team, but for Geffre, working in dark hours with a skeleton team of service members.

Fuel can be a hazard, and Geffre has been trained to deal with such challenges.

"The main challenges of my job are to know the full extent of what has to be done on an operation and always keeping safety the main priority because of the hazards that come with dealing with fuel," the fuels distribution operator said.

The fuel is dealt with by a team, and Geffre learns from many people to broaden his knowledge.

"I work mostly with the crew chiefs and aircrew since I issue fuel to their aircraft. That is aside from working with fellow operators to complete a refueling operation," the Airman explained.

It's the diversity in the groups of people he works with that have made this assignment what it is for Geffre. Not only has he worked with the Air Force, being overseas has provided him the opportunity to develop international skills that will serve him well for the rest of his career and further.

"The most I've gotten out of my time so far at RAF Mildenhall is learning to work with other countries and governments. Due to being overseas we get many transient aircraft from other countries and being able to work hand-in-hand with the crew that come with them and seeing how they do things compared to our ways," Geffre reflected.

He is still very much focused on giving his all to each and every day serving his country while stationed on RAF Mildenhall, but he has hopes for the future, and his career.

"My goals are to continue learning the ins and outs of POL, receive my masters degree, and eventually become a commissioned officer and lead my own flight," he said.

Geffre chose carefully when selecting his career field, and he advises others to do the same as they embark on not only a job, but a way of life.

"I would tell people to do their research," advised Geffre. "Find the career fields that interest them the most and then find out as much as they can about those jobs."