Airmen doctor up Russian fuel at Moscow air show

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Cindy Dorfner
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ZHUKOVSKY, Russia (USAFENS) --  U.S. aircraft at the Moscow International Air Show and Space Salon at Ramenskoye Airfield here aren’t just sharing airspace and the runway with the Russians -- they’re also sharing fuel.

Normally topped off with JP-8, the eight American aircraft here are getting a doctored-up version of Russia’s TS-1 thanks to two petroleum, oil and lubricants specialists from the 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

The Russian TS-1 meets the U.S. particle and water standards, but needs to be combined with three performance additives, said Staff Sgt. Brad West, 31st LRS NCOIC of fuels training. The three additives include a corrosion inhibitor, static dissipating additive and fuel servicing icing inhibitor.

In some countries the fuel is close enough to JP-8 that the aircraft could actually use it without the additives. But, in others, it isn’t up to American standards and not adding the right mix of additives could cause potentially serious problems in flight, Sergeant West said.

Though the two POL troops have never been to Russia and have never worked with Russian TS-1, finding the right mixture isn’t a problem. A technical order lists requirements for additives per gallon of kerosene, the standard in aircraft fuel.

Oddly enough, quite a bit of math is involved in refueling a plane. For instance, maintainers request fuel in pounds, European countries dispense it in liters and fuels specialists measure it in gallons. This is why the TO lists a formula which is at neither end of the allowable spectrum. A “middle-of-the road” additives formula allows for wiggle room, Sergeant West said.

The language barrier seems to be the biggest challenge during the air show, and it’s especially true when requesting fuel each day, said Airman 1st Class Justin Davis, 31st LRS fuels distribution operator.

“Even with a translator, it’s sometimes hard to get across what you need,” Airman Davis said.

The lack of communication didn’t hamper fixing a potentially large problem during the first day of the air show, however. When the mobility cart, which mixes and injects the additives to the fuel, malfunctioned, daily B-1B aerial demonstrations were at risk for cancellation. But, American and Russian fuels specialists worked together to find a solution.

Airman Davis said the Russians were instrumental in fixing the cart, allowing the crowd-pleasing B-1B to fly each day.

Though the air show is nearly finished, Sergeant West and Airman Davis said they have their work cut out for them. Smaller transfer hoses and a “really old” refueling truck will make getting the eight American aircraft fueled and ready to go home a lengthy process.

In addition to the two B-1Bs, the United States has two F-15Es, two F-16CJs, a KC-10 Extender and a KC-135R Stratotanker on static display and refueling all of them is expected to take around 10-12 hours.

Sergeant West expects the KC-10 to take up to six hours to receive the 240,000 pounds, or 35,820 gallons, it requires.

Still, the trip is one neither is likely to forget any time soon.

“I got to go to Russia on my first (temporary duty) since I’ve been in the Air Force,” Airman Davis said. “They’ll probably all be downhill from here.”

The air show is one of the largest in the world, fourth only to the air shows in Paris; Farnborough, England; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is the second time the United States has displayed military aircraft at the air show; the first time was in 2003. In 2001 the Department of Defense participated with a technology booth.