An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

Defense Logistics AgencyThe Nation's Combat Logistics Support Agency

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  What DLA Offers    -  Excess Property Disposal             
  -  Document Services             
  -  Products             
  -  Services             
  -  Programs 
-  Working With DLA    -  Applications             
  -  Small Business             
  -  Federal and International Cataloging             
  -  Defense Data Standards             
  -  Events             
  -  Procurement Policies             
  -  Government Programs             
  -  Forms 
-  Organizations    -  DLA Headquarters             
  -  DLA Aviation             
  -  DLA Disposition Services             
  -  DLA Distribution             
  -  DLA Energy             
  -  DLA Land and Maritime             
  -  DLA Troop Support             
  -  DLA CENTCOM & SOCOM             
  -  DLA Europe & Africa             
  -  DLA Indo-Pacific 
-  Customer Support    -  Self Help Tools             
  -  How to Order             
  -  Find Your Order             
  -  Customer Facing Offices             
  -  Training             
  -  Brochures             
  -  Warfighter Support             
  -  Customer Service Management 
-  Careers		 
-  About DLA    -  Contact Us             
  -  Locations             
  -  Leaders             
  -  News             
  -  History             
  -  Media Gallery             
  -  DLA Campaigns 

HomeAbout DLANewsNews Article View

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# AUAB power projection: cryogenics team keeps aircrews breathing easy

By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

                379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs  –              
At certain altitudes, an aircraft’s environment changes. From oxygen levels to pressure fluctuations, aircrew members need to be able to adapt.Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron cryogenics section, ensure service members across U.S. Air Forces Central Command are equipped with tools needed to function.“We provide clean, dry, 99.5 percent pure liquid oxygen for aviators,” said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Legget, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron cryogenics section NCO in charge. “This provides them clean oxygen to breathe at certain elevations where it’s necessary. We keep the tanks prepared and have them ready to ship at all times.”The cryogenics Airmen receive, store, inspect and ship liquid oxygen and nitrogen for aircrews to use at deployed locations throughout AFCENT. Whether a pilot needs clean air to breath or a loadmaster needs to put out a fire, the oxygen and nitrogen they provide help keep missions launching.Ensuring aircrews are equipped with the liquid assets doesn’t come without risks. Working with assets at temperatures as low as 324 degrees below zero can pose a safety hazard if not handled correctly. For the cryogenics team, safety is a major priority.“In order for the overall mission to get completed, we need to do our job correctly,” said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Retallack, 379th ELRS fuels cryogenic supervisor. “To ensure we're safe, we wear proper personal protective equipment. Although it may be hot, it's not worth getting a cryogenic burn and having frostbite. We make sure that everything we wear is good to go.”The team’s 24-hour operation is made possible by team work and following proper tactics, techniques and procedures. Enabling AFCENT’s airpower to reach all corners of the area of responsibility.“We’re the critical hub for the AOR and we support different forward operating bases that produce airstrikes,” said Retallack. “In order to produce the airstrikes, they need liquid oxygen. Those airstrikes wouldn't happen without us.”For some members of the cryogenics team, helping aircrews breathe easy during aerial missions has been rewarding."I'm part of something affecting this whole region,” said Staff Sgt. Shakir Alikhan, 379th ELRS cryogenics section fuels journeyman. “I look at it as being a part of something bigger.”From January to March, 2019, the cryogenics team has serviced more than 8.5 thousand gallons of liquid oxygen, and shipped more than 50 oxygen tanks to warfighters across AFCENT.At certain altitudes, an aircraft’s environment changes. From oxygen levels to pressure fluctuations, aircrew members need to be able to adapt.Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron cryogenics section, ensure service members across U.S. Air Forces Central Command are equipped with tools needed to function.“We provide clean, dry, 99.5 percent pure liquid oxygen for aviators,” said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Legget, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron cryogenics section NCO in charge. “This provides them clean oxygen to breathe at certain elevations where it’s necessary. We keep the tanks prepared and have them ready to ship at all times.”The cryogenics Airmen receive, store, inspect and ship liquid oxygen and nitrogen for aircrews to use at deployed locations throughout AFCENT. Whether a pilot needs clean air to breath or a loadmaster needs to put out a fire, the oxygen and nitrogen they provide help keep missions launching.Ensuring aircrews are equipped with the liquid assets doesn’t come without risks. Working with assets at temperatures as low as 324 degrees below zero can pose a safety hazard if not handled correctly. For the cryogenics team, safety is a major priority.“In order for the overall mission to get completed, we need to do our job correctly,” said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Retallack, 379th ELRS fuels cryogenic supervisor. “To ensure we're safe, we wear proper personal protective equipment. Although it may be hot, it's not worth getting a cryogenic burn and having frostbite. We make sure that everything we wear is good to go.”The team’s 24-hour operation is made possible by team work and following proper tactics, techniques and procedures. Enabling AFCENT’s airpower to reach all corners of the area of responsibility.“We’re the critical hub for the AOR and we support different forward operating bases that produce airstrikes,” said Retallack. “In order to produce the airstrikes, they need liquid oxygen. Those airstrikes wouldn't happen without us.”For some members of the cryogenics team, helping aircrews breathe easy during aerial missions has been rewarding."I'm part of something affecting this whole region,” said Staff Sgt. Shakir Alikhan, 379th ELRS cryogenics section fuels journeyman. “I look at it as being a part of something bigger.”From January to March, 2019, the cryogenics team has serviced more than 8.5 thousand gallons of liquid oxygen, and shipped more than 50 oxygen tanks to warfighters across AFCENT.*Editor's note: The original story can be viewed on the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing website.*

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

379th Air Expeditionary Wing379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadroncryogenicsliquid oxygenliquid nitrogen