TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Aircraft need fuel to fly, and the 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Management Flight specializes in providing large quantities of it to sustain the mission and maintain America’s air superiority.
Tyndall is home to the 43rd Fighter Squadron, the world’s only F-22 Raptor training squadron, and the 95th Fighter Squadron, the 2015 Raytheon Trophy recipient, and the fuels flight ensures the Raptors get the fuel they need to fly.
“We support all of the aircraft, from the 43rd, 95th and 2nd [Fighter Training Squadron] to the units that come in for the Weapon System Evaluation Program,” said Master Sgt. Anthony Morris, fuels information service center superintendent. “We are also supporting our down range missions. Here, pilots are getting the training they need in order to go down range and support the areas of responsibility, drop the bombs and support our sister services by making sure we have air superiority.”
The flight also provides fuel to all of the installations vehicles, including emergency vehicles, such as security forces patrol cars, firetrucks and ambulances.
“The fuels flight is very unique here at Tyndall,” said Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Judd, NCO in charge of the fuels lab. “At most bases, each section works their own job and helps out others when they need to. Here, it’s kind of one big family; everybody helps everybody.”
The fuels flight stood up in 2014, and since then, it has been recognized for its excellence in accomplishing the mission. The flight brought home the 2014 Innovator of the Year Award for Team Tyndall and the 2015 Drake Trophy, Air Combat Command’s highest fuels award. They also directly contributed to the 325th LRS winning the Air Force’s coveted 2015 Major General Warren R. Carter Daedalian Logistics Effectiveness Award.
“The biggest contribution to these awards was the Airmen,” said Morris. “From those sampling the fuel when it comes in, to the Airmen in the control center who take calls to get fuel to the other agencies, to the Airmen who drive the fuel trucks and fill the aircraft. Doing it a timely manner, professionally and making sure we have the best customer service out there is key.”
The fuels flight helps Team Tyndall stay on the leading edge of airpower capability, and the approximate 1.6 millions of gallons of jet fuel they provide each month is critical to getting jets off the ground.
“We take pride in what we do,” Morris said.