“Witnessing the excellent exhausting work every of the sailors carry out making certain each day flight operations happen flawlessly is really motivational! While you see them carry out with the very best morale and utmost professionalism in an remoted setting, it’s completely a testomony to the superb expertise of the U.S. Navy. Offering this small quantity of recognition, and spending time studying extra about their jobs, meant as a lot to me, if no more, because it does to every of the sailors.” stated Harding. “Admittedly biased, I believe I’ve one of the best ABFs within the U.S. Navy, and I’m honored to serve with them.”
NAVSUP FLC San Diego at the moment has eight sailors stationed on San Clemente Island, all of that are Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Gas (ABF) charge. ABFs are sometimes known as “Grapes” due to the purple jackets worn whereas performing fueling operations aboard a ship. The freedom awards are extremely valued by the SCI sailors, as every sailor can spend as much as two weeks on responsibility on the Island. Rotating in shifts, these sailors present steady yr spherical fuels help to the island.
The ABFs stationed at SCI are chargeable for the protected execution of each cold and hot refueling evolutions on all embarked and transient army and civilian aircrafts. Additionally they function the fuels lab the place they’re charged with receiving, cleansing, purifying and distributing JP-5 gas.
NAVSUP FLC San Diego provide administration division works carefully with Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific to facilitate fueling help of each Helicopter Superior Readiness Program (HARP) and Ahead Arming and Refueling Level (FARP) coaching workouts on San Clemente Island. By means of-out a calendar yr the ABFs on SCI help eight to 10 HARP trainings.
HARP is a graduate stage train designed to make sure aircrew are able to utilizing primary, intermediate, and superior stage techniques to successfully fly and struggle the plane and FARPs are designed to supply gas and ordnance essential for highly-mobile and versatile helicopter and fixed-wing operations.
Strategically positioned, the place Harding at the moment fills is designated as each the Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific Provide Officer and NAVSUP FLC San Diego Coronado Website Director. This ensures streamlined communication between organizations and enhances the mission readiness of our fleet.
“On behalf of SCI’s Fuels Crew, I wish to prolong our appreciation to Cmdr. Harding for taking the time to go to the island in an effort to acknowledge us. The workforce’s morale was uplifted, and his go to was very vital to all of us. We’re Fight Grapes who proudly help the fleet!” remarked Chief Petty Officer Anass Benmoussa, Provide Administration Division – SCI Main Chief Petty Officer, as he mirrored on his workforce’s gratitude for the go to from the Website Director.
Throughout HARP/FARP workouts, the ABFs on SCI conduct roughly 30 refueling evolutions a day, and common roughly 75,000 gallons of JP-5 gas issued in the course of the week-long workouts. Beneath regular operations, the workforce dispenses a mean of 100,000 gallons of JP-5 (Aviation Gas), Diesel, and MOGAS on the gas farm in a single month.
San Clemente Island is the first maritime coaching space for the Navy Pacific Fleet and Sea, Air and Land Forces, enjoying a pivotal function in tactical coaching for each fixed- and rotary-wing plane squadrons assigned to Navy Area Southwest. Situated 75 miles west of San Diego, SCI has been owned by the Navy since 1934 and is the Navy’s solely remaining reside hearth vary.
NAVSUP FLC San Diego is one among eight FLCs below Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs a various, worldwide workforce of greater than 25,000 army and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Provide Corps conduct and allow provide chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & household care actions with our mission companions to generate readiness and maintain naval forces worldwide to forestall and decisively win wars. Be taught extra at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.fb.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom
