New building renovations fuel mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Airmen from the 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron celebrated the reopening of its fuel laboratory after a long period of remodeling with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Mar. 3, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The lab has undergone renovations since October 2014, in order to update it to modern working environmental standards.

According to Staff Sgt. Antonio Lucio, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels laboratory NCO in charge, the impact that these renovations have are vital to the mission.

"Where we were limited to only running one analysis at a time, we can now run multiple analyses at once," said Lucio. "When you run 2,400 analyses per year to support 194 million gallons of fuel throughout, that helps immensely."

These analyses are critical to guarantee every gallon of jet fuel meets specifications and ensures safety in flight.  Fuel with too much sediment or water content can affect aircraft performance and result in mission failure. 

The remodeled fuels lab will enhance the 86th LRS's capability to deliver clean, dry fuel to all 86th Airlift Wing and transient aircraft, while also enhancing safe lab operations.

The renovations include a new climate control system, ventilation system, a fume hood with carbon dioxide systems built into it, new glass doors and all new working surfaces and cabinets.

These changes have an impact on mission efficiency and making the day-to-day work in the 86th LRS better for Airmen.

"The new equipment and location saves us time," said Senior Airman Matthew Jameson, 86th LRS fuels laboratory technician. "That allows us to accomplish more in our work day and that's important because there's only three of us."

Whether it's three Airmen or an entire wing mission, the new renovations bring change to the way the job gets done by bringing a higher quality of life and a cleaner work environment that, according to Lucio, help fuel the mission here at Ramstein.