Fuels section stops 'bleeding'

  • Published
  • By Brannen Parrish
  • 931st ARG Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  An engine without fuel is as effective as a heart without blood. Without blood, a body is an inanimate corpse, without fuel, an aircraft is a static display. A leaking tanker is like a bleeding body - ineffective and dangerous.

The fuel system specialists of the 931st Maintenance Squadron and the 22nd MXS provide an integrated, total force response to stop the bleeding when a KC-135 Stratotanker springs a leak.

The KC-135 Stratotanker carries up to 180,000 pounds of fuel, about the same weight as three, combat- loaded F-22 Raptors. Fuel is stored in 10 tanks located in the wings and the fuselage.

Since the aircraft burns about 10,000 pounds of JP-8 per hour, ensuring fuel doesn't leak onto the flight line is important.

"The entire wing is a fuel cell," said Staff Sgt. Tyler Walling, a fuel system specialist with the 22nd MXS. "Fuel will find the path of least resistance, and when the sealant goes bad, fuel leaks occur."

One of the ways they locate leaks is by pressurizing the aircraft fuel system.
Pressurization is accomplished by forcing air into the plane using external hoses. As pressure builds, fuel is pushed against the tank walls. If a seal is compromised the fuel will find it and leak.

"It's like pumping up an inner tube on a bicycle tire to find the source of a flat," said Walling.

While some areas, like the wings, are completely filled with fuel, the aircraft holds up to 16 rubber bladders. Fuel systems personnel maintain these bladders by crawling into the fuselage, unstrapping the bladders, removing them and cleaning them.

Cleaning a fuel bladder requires three Airman - an in-tank cleaner, an attendant and a runner. The Airman who crawls inside must wear protective outerwear and a respirator to avoid inhaling fumes from the JP8. The fuel is unfriendly to human skin.

"If JP8 gets on your skin it can give you a pretty bad rash," said Tech. Sgt. Brady Cooper, an Air Reserve Technician from the 931st MXS. "Personal protective equipment is definitely the most important concern in this job."