New fuel tanks offer larger, safer storage

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Travis will have three jet propulsion fuel tanks operational in January that will safeguard the environment as well as increase safety and mission efficiency.

The $58 million project that took 18 months to complete was accomplished through a partnership with Kinder Morgan.

Each tank is capable of holding 150,000 barrels, or approximately six million gallons of JP-8 fuel. JP-8 is the fuel source for all three Travis aircraft- the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender.

Previously, fuel was transported to the tanks through a 28-mile pipeline. With the new tanks, the transportation is reduced to approximately one mile.

"This benefits the environment and the local community," said 1st Lt. George Okorodudu, 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight commander. "The possibility of a fuel leak in the local area is drastically reduced."

The environmental pipeline footprint is reduced by 96 percent, Okorodudu said.

Another element that benefits the environment is the floating pan system the new tanks utilize. The pan rests on top of the fuel and rises as more fuel is added in the tank.

"The floating pan reduces the amount of off gas, or vapors in the tank making the tanks safer and more environmentally friendly," said Alan Tornay, 60th LRS logistics manager.

Additionally, the new tanks preserve fuel much better than the old system, said Master Sgt. Scott Smith, 60th LRS. The older tanks had floating roofs and the seal would allow rainwater and snow to penetrate the tanks and contaminate the fuel. The new tanks have a roof separate from the floating pan system that prevents contamination, he said.

Since JP-8 fuel is a necessary component to keeping Travis aircraft in flight, maintaining a massive storage amount on base will improve mission continuity.

"Even if the fuel line went down we would be able to continue the mission because the tanks can hold such a great amount of fuel," Smith said.

Not only are the tanks' massive storage area beneficial in emergency situations, they also produce efficient results for day-to-day work.

"The tanks provide resupply 140 percent faster than our current configuration," Tornay said. "Since the fuel is on location we get what we need, when we need it to support the mission."