WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- At Westover Air Reserve Base, members of the fuels management team work to keep Westover’s aircraft and other essential equipment ready for the fight.
“Our job is to fuel the fight,” said Master Sgt. Grayson Grantham, 439th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight superintendent. “We are receiving, storing, and issuing any Air Force petroleum products out in the field - usually to aircraft, vehicles, equipment, and generators.”
The fuels management team is tasked with much more than just providing fuel to the necessary equipment and vehicles.
“Our fuels flight is broken up into seven sections,” said Grantham.
Fuels assigns Airmen to different tasks such as being a lab technician who tests the fuel, working on vehicle maintenance with the preventative maintenance team, being part of the storage and issue team who ensure the fullness and security of bulk and hydrant storage, and driving the fuel trucks to ensure the fuel makes it to the aircraft or proper equipment.
“We train Airmen in every area very quickly so that they can become a well-rounded Airman,” said Grantham.
Grantham said most Airmen drive the fuel trucks, perform maintenance, work on the equipment, and are very involved with the customer base, including crew chiefs, operations groups, LRS, Security Forces, or any units on base that require fuel to fulfill their mission.
Grantham spoke highly of the opportunities that working in fuel management can give you to help aid in a career outside the military as well.
“There is a lot of additional schooling that you can do, including studying to become a Level C certified lab tech or even a Department of Transportation fuels accountant,” said Grantham.
Fuels management falls under the Logistics Readiness Squadron, which is responsible for essential base tasks such as providing clothing supply, vehicle maintenance, transportation, and even aiding in the deployment process for Airman.
“It’s a great squadron to be a part of because the mission is real,” said CMSgt. Rayanne Emerson, 439th LRS senior enlisted leader. “Everything that is done on base, LRS has a hand in it.”