POL keeps the gas flowing

By Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr., 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs / Published March 10, 2014

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Senior Airman Justin Smith, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight, compares gauge readings to technical orders while refueling March 6, 2014, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The Airmen of POL ensure mission readiness at all times by maintaining their own equipment and providing clean fuel by sampling and testing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr./Released)

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Airman 1st Class Andrew Peters, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight, holds up a jar of jet fuel to scan for visible contaminates March 6, 2014, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The visible scan is one method to ensure that fuel delivered to aircraft is clean and ready for use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr./Released)

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Emin Subasi, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight, replaces a brakelight on a fuel truck March 6, 2014, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Turkish civilian employees of the U.S. government work side by side with U.S. Airmen to keep the mission going. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr./Released)

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Ahmet Canogllari , 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight, pours jet fuel into a container to test for contaminates and that the fuel is of appropriate chemical mixture March 6, 2014, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Turkish civilian employees of the U.S. government work side by side with U.S. Airmen to keep the mission going. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr./Released)

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Senior Airman Gunnar Lange and Airman 1st Class Robert Acevedo, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight, reinstall a strainer into a fuel tube after checking for contaminates March 6, 2014, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The POL flight distributes hundreds of gallons of gasoline per month in support of NATO and U.S. missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr./Released)

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Staff Sgt. Luke Flament, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight, inserts a dipstick to measure fluid levels March 6, 2014, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The POL flight distributes hundreds of gallons of gasoline per month in support of NATO and U.S. missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr./Released)

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Staff Sgt. Timothy Wiseman, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight, releases water to test a safety system in the hydrants building March 6, 2014, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The Airmen of POL ensure mission readiness at all times by maintaining their own equipment and providing clean fuel by testing and sampling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr./Released)

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The Air Force's flying missions vary from reconnaissance to ground support to cargo and passenger transport. But, without one particular unit, none of these missions would be able to get off the ground.

Petroleum, oils and fuels flights provide the gas and other petroleum products aircraft need to get the mission done. The 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron POL flight supports numerous U.S. and NATO missions to include the movement of personnel and equipment for the PATRIOT missile defense mission that began in January 2013.

POL not only distributes petroleum products, but also tests fuel and oil samples from various equipment and aircraft to ensure there are no impurities or debris. These actions help prevent abnormal wear and tear on the Air Force's planes and support equipment and can even prevent mishaps, saving both lives and money.