Predators Get New Fueling Companions

Holloman AFB, N.M., is home to the first two new aviation gasoline trucks in Air Combat Command’s inventory that were specifically designed to support MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft. “They were uniquely designed, ordered, and built for the MQ-1 mission here,” said MSgt. Jason Bowman, section chief for the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Fuels Information Service Center. The new trucks will allow members of the 49th LRS’ Fuels Management Flight to service the Predators like they do any other aircraft, replacing an arduous “archaic method” of fueling and saving an estimated 1,500 work hours per year, said SMSgt. Jon Voigt, the flight chief. The trucks will also reduce the loss of fuel due to evaporation and help save an estimated “$6,000 per month” in fuel costs, said Bowman. Several other ACC bases “are following suit” and plan to adopt these trucks, he noted. The base announced the trucks on April 19. (Holloman report by A1C Siuta B. Ika)