100th LRS Airman 'pools' resources, ideas to save environment

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels flight has a very dangerous job involving a flammable substance -- fuel. They ensure it's safely transported to aircraft and certain government-owned vehicles.

Second Lt. Evan Tilton from Shawnee, Oklahoma, is the 100th LRS Fuels Flight commander and his flight are responsible for a vital task -- getting fuel to the aircraft, without which, they couldn't fly their missions.

"We're responsible for approximately 4 million gallons of Jet Propellant 8 that we supply to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, 352nd Special Operations Group, the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron and any transient aircraft," Tilton explained.

The members of Tilton's team are always looking for ways to improve the service they provide and the impact their work could have on the environment.

One member of his team saw a situation that could have resulted in damage to the local environment and wanted to improve procedures.

"There was an aircraft that was venting fuel and we realized we needed a way not only to clean up fuel, but to contain it," said Staff Sgt. Zachary Kiniry, 100th LRS Fuels training and support supervisor from Claremont, New Hampshire.

The only kits available were basic and mostly there to clean up the fuel once it was spilt. Kiniry had an idea to contain the fuel after it had spilt but before it would cause environmental damage. Additionally, his idea would possibly enable a way to reclaim spilt fuel through the use of the containment pools.

"It's a three-stage containment kit. On first deployment, the spill pool can be deployed immediately and contain up to 100 gallons of fuel. With environmental cleanup and remediation costs averaging $115 a gallon, it could potentially save the Air Force up to $11,500 by containing 100 gallons in the pool," Kiniry explained.

Not only did the Airman think to have somewhere for the fuel to be collected, he went above and beyond and thought about what would happen if the pool overfilled. The second stage allows the user to direct overflow to an area they want it to go and to soak it up.

"In the event it did overfill, we have sticky spill dykes we can put down to manipulate where we want the fuel to flow and then 20 feet of absorbent socks which soak up fuel," the supervisor said, explaining the second stage.

Spill dykes are a thick tape which is rolled out, sticks to the floor and stops liquid from passing under it.

The Airman went even further to think of what would happen if the second stage was breached.

"For the third stage, we have a spill drain blocker. If there are any grates or sewage systems nearby, the fuel could enter the water supply, so we cover that up," the New Hampshire native added. "It's a liquid-proof seal, like the dykes."

Kiniry said he feels it's vital to safeguard the host nation environment while stationed overseas.

"We are in a host country and we want to abide by the environmental guidelines here. We don't want to pollute their country so we are taking steps to ensure that we don't," he explained.

As well as protecting the local environment, he wanted to ensure his fellow Airmen are safe.

"The kits contain gloves, apron and goggles. Once the first line of defense -- the pool -- is deployed, you can put your proper personal protective equipment on so you won't be subject to personal harm," he remarked.

Previously, the fuel would be wasted; with the new kit, the contained fuel is able to be reused.

"That's potentially 100 gallons that we're putting back into the Air Force's hands," Tilton explained.

It has been a long process of seven months -- 400 man hours -- to develop the kit. But the work hasn't gone unnoticed and these Airmen hope to see it saving other bases around the world countless gallons of fuel and saving the local environment from potential damage.

"Right now, it's been pushed across U.S. Air Forces in Europe and hopefully one day we'll see it across the Air Force," Tilton exclaimed.

Tilton knows this product is the result of hard work and dedication of his valuable team member.

"Kiniry is a persistent, hard-working Airman, and I'm privileged to work with him. This one achievement here could affect the whole Air Force, and he makes me proud to serve with him and everyone on our fuels team on a day to day basis," Tilton said proudly.