The "Fuelture" Experts - 36 CRS & 36 LRS Refueling Training

  • Published
  • 36th Wing

The 36th Contingency Response Squadron partnered with the 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron to qualify and recertify members at a Specialized Fueling Operations and Contingency Refueling Site set up in Andersen AFB, Sept. 24, 2024. 

CRS and Fuels Airmen used the site to get familiarized with their equipment, specifically the Hot Refueling Rotary Airframes. This practice allows the Airmen to be faster and more efficient in their response.

To emphasize the significance of the aircraft and refueling exercise, Staff Sgt. Juan Martinez, 36th LRS fueling instructor, shared the words below. 

“It’s important because what we do out here is we refuel aircraft while engines are running,” Martinez said. “We like to call that, hot pits. That reduces the ground time for that aircraft to be in that set area to then project itself to go accomplish the mission or whatever it may be that the aircraft is doing.” 

For trainees, this specialized refueling operation was a rare opportunity to be completely hands-on.


“I would love to do this again,” said Airman Braden Costley, 36th LRS fueling apprentice. “I felt way more involved and I think I just learned that we can’t be rushed to do it. We got to make sure we get them the right things that they need and out of here on time to do their mission as well as make sure we do ours correctly.”

By conducting the exercise, the Airmen will be enabling the Air Force’s initiative of Agile Combat Employment, minimizing the time frame for the aircraft to be on the ground, thus supporting a faster response time.