ENERGY

SOURCE

Defense Logistics Agency Energy

The return of the

DLA Energy Worldwide Energy Conference

2100+ energy professionals

150+ leading vendors

Spring 2017
DLA Energy Utility Services strengthens customers’ energy 

security and resiliency.

2 www.dla.mil/Energy 3

Front and Back covers by: 

Michael “Shane” Potter

Commander

Air Force Brig. Gen. Martin Chapin

Deputy Commander (Acting)

Gabriella Earhardt

Chief of Staff

Army Col. Doug Henry

Public Affairs Officer

Irene Smith

Editor

Ronald Inman

Writing Staff

Tanekwa Bournes

Elizabeth Stoeckmann

Layout/Design

Ronald Inman

Address correspondence to:

ATTN: DLA Energy-DCA

8725 John J. Kingman Rd.

Suite 4950

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6222

Commercial: 703-767-4108

Address email to:

EnergySourceMagazine@dla.mil

Energy Source l SPRING 2017

Energy Source is an official publication distributed by and for the Defense Logistics 

Agency Energy and energy-oriented clientele. Contents of this publication are not 

necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department 

of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency or Defense Logistics Agency Energy. 

Energy Source is prepared by desktop publishing applications. 

Photos not credited are courtesy of DLA Energy sources.

From the Commander

Energy Source

 Welcome to DLA Energy’s 2017 Worldwide Energy 

Conference at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention 

Center at the Washington National Harbor, Maryland. 

I am confident that you will find this conference to be 

an exciting opportunity to learn more about the latest 

trends and technologies in the energy industry. The entire 

DLA Energy Team is excited to have you – Warfighters, 

suppliers, partners and fellow energy professionals – join 

us as we share who we are, what we do and how we and 

our industry partners can support you to achieve national, 

strategic and organizational energy goals.

 This conference represents an opportunity to share 

information, promote understanding and collaboration, 

strengthen existing bonds and create new and exciting 

opportunities. More than 2,100 energy professionals and 

150 vendors are attending this year’s conference.

 Of course, the most important tool in our arsenal is 

you – our customer – and the relationship we share as we 

pursue excellence and mission accomplishment together. 

I encourage you to listen, meet and share what you have 

to offer with Conference attendees and vendors alike.

 DLA Energy is a global enterprise supplying around 

100 million barrels of fuel a year, and has approximately 

54 million barrels of petroleum inventory on hand at any 

given time throughout the world – but we can’t do it by 

Brig. Gen. Martin Chapin, USAF

Defense Logistics Agency Energy

ourselves. We absolutely need partnerships to get this 

done. If you are a potential or new DLA Energy customer 

or partner, it is our sincere hope that your attendance 

at this year’s Conference is the beginning of a strong 

and productive working relationship with us. If you are 

an established or longtime partner, we look forward to 

continuing to work collaboratively to strengthen our 

relationship and continue our joint success.

Sincerely,

FEATURES

 4

Energy Spotlight

 11 I am DLA Energy (#1)

 16 Aerospace Energy In Space

 27 I am DLA Energy (#2)

 4 Arlington Cemetery Upgrades 

 6 Biofuel Propels RIMPAC ‘16

DLA Energy assists with the modernization of Arlington 

National Cemetery’s electrical distribution system.

DLA Energy provides alternative fuel, enabling an 

international naval exercise to stay afloat.

Making a difference in Haiti with timely fuel enables relief 

efforts in the aftermath of devastation. 

Aerostat operations by law enforcement agencies rely on 

helium supplied by DLA Energy Aerospace Energy to protect 

America’s borders. What’s an aerostat? Find out on Page 12. 

18 Quality Where It Counts

Our Quality Technical Support Office leverages its knowledge and 

experience to ensure the highest support to the warfighter.

23 Utility Services

12

23

 8 Hurricane Matthew Support

 12 Eyes in the Sky

DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Martin 

Chapin (second from left) conducts a site visit to the Hakozaki 

Fuel Support Point facility on Azuma Island in Tokyo Bay, 

Japan in October 2016. Photo by Jeff Connell

Brig. Gen. Martin Chapin

Commander, Defense Logistics Agency Energy
4 www.dla.mil/Energy Energy Source l SPRING 2017 5

 Defense Logistics Agency Energy members met with 

Dominion Virginia Power leaders to follow up on the 

progress of projects at Arlington National Cemetery in 

Arlington, Virginia, Aug. 31, 2016. 

 A trip to the national cemetery, located next to Joint 

Base Myer-Henderson Hall, allowed both parties the 

chance to see how Dominion Virginia Power is working 

to rebuild and modernize the entire electrical distribution 

system while maintaining the integrity of the grounds. 

Work consists of installation of thousands of feet of 

underground duct banks, transformers, switches and 

metering cabinets.

 “Working on the grounds is no easy task for Dominion 

Virginia Power, but workers complete tasks in a respectful 

manner by stopping work when funeral sessions are held 

nearby or processions pass, covering worksites with sod 

and removing equipment in advance of events,” said Kent 

Straub-Jones, a contracting officer with DLA Energy 

Utility Services.

 The intended outcome is to make the electric grid 

reliable and redundant so that regardless of the weather, 

Arlington National Cemetery will have the power to keep 

the lights on, he added.

 The power company proposed this work in 2008, to 

improve service through the construction of an electrical 

substation at the military installation featuring two new 

230-kV underground transmission lines.

 The Army National Cemeteries Program requested 

assistance from U.S. Army Installation Management 

Command to privatize its electrical distribution system. 

They received approval from the assistant chief of staff for 

Installation Management Utilities Privatization Program 

Management office and were added to the privatization 

evaluation schedule in December 2011. Then DLA Energy 

was requested by the office to enter into sole source 

negotiations with Dominion Virginia Power for Arlington 

National Cemetery in 2014.

 Since September 2003, the Army has mandated that 

all pre-award actions associated with future utilities 

privatization efforts at its installations use DLA Energy. 

As the contracting Center of Excellence for the Utilities 

DLA Energy assists Arlington National Cemetery 

with electrical distribution system

By Tanekwa Bournes Privatization Program, the Army and Air Force utilize DLA 

Energy’s contracting expertise to solicit, evaluate, award 

and administer the utility services contracts on their 

installations.

 The original contract for this work was awarded Sept. 19, 

2015, for a 41-year, eight-month period of performance 

which will end Aug. 15, 2057.

 “Our team worked closely with Arlington National 

Cemetery, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Dominion 

Virginia Power to ensure this project was awarded on 

time,” said Martha Gray, director of DLA Energy Utility 

Services. “Arlington National Cemetery is already seeing 

the benefits of a privatized system, as modernization of 

its aging infrastructure is happening quickly. Dominion 

Virginia Power has already proven to be a great partner to 

the Army in this effort.”

 The Utilities Privatization Program comes under 

the Army’s assistant chief of staff for Installation 

Management. Utilities Privatization Program Manager 

Curt Wexel confirmed Gray’s statements about the value of 

privatization.

 He said the privatization of the electrical system is 

projected to yield a cost avoidance of $3.5 million or 

27 percent over its life cycle, as compared to the cost of 

continued government ownership.

 “Newer equipment will reduce Arlington National 

Cemetery’s electrical usage by about $9,000 per year,” 

Wexel said. “In addition to these cost savings, the 

cemetery will benefit by more secure and reliable service 

from a trusted industry partner.”

 DLA Energy meets monthly with representatives from 

Dominion Virginia Power, Joint Base Myer-Henderson 

Hall and Arlington National Cemetery to take a site 

inspection to go over the status of the ongoing projects and 

to maintain open lines of communication.

A bugler with the U.S. Air Force plays “Taps” during a 

graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery, June 

8, 2016, in Arlington, Virginia. DLA Energy is overseeing 

work being done on the grounds by Dominion Virginia 

Power to modernize the entire electrical distribution system. 

U.S. Army photo by Rachel Larue
66 www.dla.mil/Energy Energy Source l SPRING 2017 7

blend during the exercise. The Navy is pursuing the use 

of alternative fuels in the supply chain to increase its 

operational flexibility by allowing forces to obtain fuel 

from more sources worldwide.

 The biennial naval exercise has grown in terms of both 

participants and the Great Green Fleet Initiative.

 “During the [previous iteration,] there were 22 nations 

participating with six nations observing,” Nejdl said. “This 

year’s exercise has 26 nations participating with three 

nations observing.

 “Almost all of the participating nations have agreed to 

use the biofuel during the exercise. Only a small number 

of countries requested their biofuel upon conclusion of the 

exercise to return home for further testing and evaluation 

of the project in naval ships.”

 The U.S. Navy, in concert with the Military Sealift 

Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup conduct an underway replenishment with the 

Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock during Rim of the Pacific 2016. Defense Logistics 

Agency Energy personnel procured 77.6 million gallons of fuel containing a 10 percent blend of biofuel for the exercise. Photo 

by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Holly L. Herline

Biofuel propels 

Rim of the Pacific 

exercise

By Irene Smith

 Biofuel made from waste beef fat propelled ships and 

aircraft during the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise 

around the Hawaiian Islands June 30 - Aug. 4, 2016.

 Defense Logistics Agency Energy personnel procured 

77.6 million gallons of the alternative fuel blend in 

January. The fuel was purchased at a cost-competitive 

price of $2.05 per gallon through a partnership between 

the Department of the Navy and U.S. Department of 

Agriculture aimed at making alternative fuel blends a 

regular part of the military’s bulk operational fuel supply.

 “The total solicited requirements included 142,000,000 

U.S. gallons of F-76 [marine naval fuel] and 139,110,000 

U.S. gallons of JP-5 [jet fuel],” said DLA Energy (Acting) 

Director for Supplier Operations Kevin Ahern. “The 

total awarded quantity of 142,000,000 [gallons] of F-76 

includes 77,660,000 gallons containing a 10 percent blend 

of biofuel made through the [hydro processed esters and 

fatty acids] process.”

 Drop-in fuels meet the same product specification of the 

petroleum products they replace, Ahern said. As such, they 

can be stored, transported and used without any changes 

to engines or infrastructure.

 In preparation for the exercise, DLA Energy employees 

participated in planning workshops in Pearl Harbor, 

Hawaii and San Diego, California to ensure optimal fuel 

support.

 “In May, approximately 11 million U.S. gallons of biofuel 

was delivered to Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Defense 

Fuel Supply Point Pearl Harbor from the Military Sealift 

Command petroleum tanker, MV Empire State,” Fuel 

Operations Program Manager Bill Nejdl said. “The fuel 

was stored in the Red Hill upper fuel farm storage tanks in 

preparation for RIMPAC 2016.”

 The countries participating in the exercise used about 

11 million gallons of the 10 percent alternative fuel 

Command, provided biofuel to nearly all of the 

participating nations’ vessels with only a few not using it 

in their ships and ancillary systems.

 For aircraft, it is a different situation.

 “There are many aircraft from a great majority of the 

countries here but they are not using the biofuel for 

aircraft as it is not designed for jet turbine engines,” Nejdl 

said. “They are using the aviation fuel from the three U.S. 

aircraft carriers operating in RIMPAC.”

 The alternative fuel was delivered to the underway 

ships by the Military Sealift Command’s three fleet 

replenishment oilers, known as floating gas stations for 

ships, through replenishment at sea, topping off the ships’ 

bunkers to alleviate return trips to Pearl Harbor for fuel.

 “A consolidated cargo [evolution] was conducted July 17 

between the MV Empire State and the USNS Rainier, a 

fleet-class oiler that can carry approximately 4.5 million 

gallons of fuel, transferring approximately 14 million 

gallons to supply cargo fuel to fleet oilers at sea,” Nejdl 

said.

 The advanced fuel blend was produced from a feedstock 

of beef tallow - waste beef fat - provided by Midwest 

farmers and ranchers, and traditional petroleum. To 

meet Navy requirements, the alternative fuel is drop-in, 

meaning it requires no changes to ship engines, transport 

or delivery equipment or operational procedures.

 “DLA Energy is proud to support the Navy’s Great Green 

Fleet through the solicitation of drop-in replacement 

biofuels,” said DLA Energy (Acting) Deputy Gabriella 

Earhardt. “Our success in awarding the first contract 

to include operational quantities of bio-blended F-76 is 

attributed to a strong partnership between the Navy and 

DLA Energy.”

DLA Energy Pacific’s Army Master Sgt. John Vanderstigchel, 

DLA Joint Reserve Force, performs a visual inspection on a quart 

sample of F-76 diesel marine fuel for the DLA Energy Pacific 

laboratory for quality assurance purposes during RIMPAC 2016. 

Samples must pass the ‘clear and bright’ test during inspection to 

ensure optimum quality. Photo courtesy of DLA Energy Pacific
8 www.dla.mil/Energy

D L A E n e r g y f u e l s 

Hurricane Matthew relief

Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex located on Robins 

AFB in Warner Robins, Georgia, while arrangements for 

another 50 trucks were being made.

 Prior to the fuel trucks hitting the road, DLA Energy’s 

Operations Center had already begun coordinating the 

fuel support though DLA Energy’s regional offices, liaison 

officers and FEMA.

 “Since 2006, DLA Energy has provided ground fuel 

support to meet FEMA’s fuel requirements during 

disasters and emergencies,” said DLA Energy Contracting 

Officer Karen Hammack.

 A formal interagency agreement for logistics support 

between DLA and FEMA, Annex B of the FEMA/

DLA Interagency Agreement, outlines the fuel support 

provisions between the two agencies and covers ground 

fuel support and services during presidentially declared 

national emergencies and disasters.

 “Our job is to collect data and reach out to the regions 

and people at headquarters to start developing options 

for support,” said DLA Energy Operations Center Chief 

Stephen Grace.

 In total, 25 trucks transported more than 63,000 gallons 

of gasoline and 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel to MCLB 

Albany and 50 trucks moved more than 77,000 gallons of 

gas and 94,000 gallons of diesel fuel to Warner Robins, 

Oct. 6-10.

 As the priority shifted to humanitarian assistance and 

disaster relief operations in hard-hit Haiti in the wake of 

Hurricane Matthew, DLA Energy shifted seamlessly to 

supporting those efforts.

Fuel trucks contracted by DLA Energy stand ready in Albany, Georgia, as they wait to deliver fuel to vehicles used in the 

response to Hurricane Matthew in the Southeastern United States and in Haiti. Photo courtesy of Marine Corps Logistics Base 

Albany Public Affairs

 Defense Logistics Agency Energy provided essential fuel 

support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 

in response to Hurricane Matthew relief operations in the 

United States and Haiti.

 As Hurricane Matthew bore down on Florida and the 

southeastern coast of the U.S. on the evening of Oct. 6, 

2016, 25 fuel trucks contracted by DLA Energy had already 

arrived at FEMA’s Incident Support Base at Marine Corps 

Logistics Base Albany in Albany, Georgia, to support 

anticipated relief operations.

 “Task Force Americas, led by Army Lt. Col. Christian 

Meisel, successfully facilitated the arrival of [contracted 

vendor] Foster Fuels at both MCLB Albany and Robins 

Air Force Base but that was only one part of the Americas 

effort,” said Army Col. Craig Simonsgaard, the DLA 

Energy Americas commander. “The region staff, subregions, and liaison officers to U.S. Southern Command 

and U.S. Northern Command anticipated requirements 

and developed future staging base locations to support 

the federal response in the continental U.S. while also 

supporting SOUTHCOM with their fuel requirements in 

Haiti.”

 DLA Energy’s goal to provide energy solutions worldwide 

is equally important at home, and requires effective 

coordination and planning across multiple agencies.

 The next day, Oct. 7, with hurricane winds reaching 

speeds of 120 mph and expected to reach land in Florida 

that afternoon, 50 more fuel trucks were on the way to 

By Ron Inman

 Matt Moshier, a DLA Energy customer account 

specialist, deployed to Haiti as part of DLA’s rapid 

deployment team to coordinate fuel deliveries for Haiti 

Airfield operations. DLA Energy contracted with World 

Fuels to provide 500 gallons of diesel twice a day for 

Haiti’s flight line operations, helicopters and buses. 

Moshier continued to work ground fuel requirements for 

Haiti and monitored potential fuel requirements (Editor’s 

Note: See Moshier’s story below).

 As of Oct. 11, all Foster fuels trucks had been deactivated 

and released from Albany and Warner Robins. 

DLA Energy continued to track Foster Fuel trucks 

demobilization and fuel return to completion.

 “I’m exceptionally proud of the [DLA Energy] Americas 

team,” Simonsgaard said. “We’ve been developing the Task 

Force Americas concept since Hurricane Sandy, and we’ve 

run it through several [combatant command] exercises 

and the Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercises to refine 

the concept.”

 “We executed the concept for Hurricane Matthew, and 

it went very well,” he said. “We’ll take the lessons learned 

from our Hurricane Matthew response and incorporate 

them into the concept to make Task Force Americas even 

more effective.”

Moshier deploys, supports relief efforts

 A Defense Logistics Agency Energy customer account 

specialist deployed to Haiti in October as part of DLA’s 

Rapid Deployment Team to coordinate fuel deliveries for 

Hurricane Matthew relief efforts.

 “I like to volunteer,” said Matt Moshier, who has worked 

at DLA Energy for seven years. “I signed up to be a part 

of the DLA Global Response Force team in August 2016 

because I enjoy working with the customer to solve real 

world problems in real time. This mission was particularly 

rewarding since we were put down here to support 

humanitarian assistance to the Haitian people after 

Hurricane Matthew.”

 The team is made up of organizations across the 

Department of Defense comprising specialties needed 

during a crisis. DLA’s Global Response Force team falls 

under the DLA Joint Logistics Operations Center, the 

focal point for operations and contingency responses. Two 

standing Rapid Deployment Teams, Gold and Black, are 

Energy Source l SPRING 2017 9

By Irene Smith

comprised of DLA specialties.

 “Our people are equipped, trained and ready to go in 

short notice,” said JLOC Division Deputy Chief Don Bruce. 

“An RDT team is comprised of 13 members with a military 

[O6-level officer] as the commander. The remaining team 

members, including primary level field activity civilians, 

are functional experts representing supply chains, logistics 

services and communications.”

 One of the two RDT teams is always in an alert status 

–they must be capable of deploying rapidly and they 

maintain alert status for six months in their one-year tour 

of duty. A DLA Energy employee is assigned to each RDT 

to provide Class III bulk fuels support.

 “If one team deploys, the second team goes on alert,” 

Bruce explained.

 As the sole DLA Energy volunteer to DLA’s RDT, 

Moshier was one of seven DLA personnel who deployed 

to Haiti. Moshier’s job was to provide Class III petroleum, 

oils and lubricants support for U.S. military assets 

providing emergency food and equipment to relief camps 

and non-governmental organizations. DLA Energy 

contracted to provide 500 gallons of diesel fuel twice a day 

for Haiti’s flight line operations, helicopters and buses.

 “Getting Matt on the ground really expanded our 

understanding of what the joint task force needed on 

the ground,” said DLA Energy Plans and Operations 

Chief Stephen Grace. “He was directly able to facilitate 

warfighter support with an AIR Card® we provided.”

 While in Haiti, Moshier also coordinated the delivery of 

aviation fuel and delivery of diesel fuel for generators and 

construction efforts. Fuel was needed to operate forklifts 

to unload cargo and diesel needed to fuel buses and vans 

used by the Marines to facilitate movement of Department 

of Defense personnel around the airfield and to the hotels.

 There were daily challenges.

 “It was challenging getting fuel to our helicopters in a 

timely manner because we are at a commercial airport and 

they have competing interests in filling both the military 

and commercial need,” Moshier said. “I interfaced with the 

local Jet A fuel vendor to ensure the customer [got] fuel 

on time to support their mission. No helicopters flights 

were cancelled due to an inability to get fuel. There were 

DLA Energy Customer Account Specialist Matt Moshier 

discusses delivery of diesel fuel with a U.S. Marine from the 

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit at the Port-Au-Prince, Haiti 

airport. Photo courtesy of Matt Moshier
10 www.dla.mil/Energy

cases of the fuel trucks showing up late, but that can be 

attributed to the hectic situation on the airfield and not 

enough fuel truck assets owned.”

 It was important that all concerned parties were 

aware that no fuel transactions and deliveries could 

take place against the DLA AIR Card® without the 

DLA Energy representative, Moshier said.

 As part of the DLA RDT, Moshier deployed to Haiti 

for 10 days. The living conditions were challenging, but 

not primitive.

 “During the day, we are working out of the PortAu-Prince airport,” Moshier communicated via email 

during the deployment. “Our office setup is very 

expeditionary, but we’ve had a solid communication 

system the entire time. During the evening, we took a 

30-minute bus ride to a hotel where we slept.”

 As a veteran deployer, Moshier deployed twice to 

Kuwait for DLA Energy Middle East as a liaison officer.

 “I deployed the summer of 2014, for six months and 

returned for another three months from April to June 

2016,” Moshier said. “I went out as the DLA Energy 

LNO-Kuwait and synced up with the Theater Sustainment 

Command and Combined Joint Task force to work with 

elements to help facilitate fuel for Kuwait and Iraq.”

 “As a customer account specialist, I work with companies 

that have DOD contracts to assist them in establishing fuel 

contracts,” Moshier said. “I also work with the customer 

and vendor to coordinate deliveries of diesel [fuel].”

 He said he really enjoys deploying.

 “I get a sense of personal satisfaction and it’s a change of 

scene from sitting at a desk all day,” he added. “There is a 

level of comradery I find in contingency environments that 

makes it very rewarding.”

“This mission was particularly rewarding since we were put down 

here to support humanitarian assistance to the Haitian people after 

Hurricane Matthew.” - DLA Energy Customer Account Specialist Matt Moshier

I am DLA ENERGY

Energy Source l SPRING 2017 11

My name is: Kwak, Kyu Sok

I am: 

A Supply Planner for DLA Energy Korea

Describe your job in a sentence:

I coordinate fuel inventory levels at 22 Defense 

Fuel Support Points, monitor control limits and 

manage Korea’s Fuel Exchange Agreement and 

Replacement-in-Kind program.

How long have you worked at DLA?

I began working for United States Forces Korea 

in 1979 and then transferred to DLA in 2003. 

What is your favorite thing about working for 

DLA?

I love working for the same goal with fun people 

from different countries. They challenge me, 

encourage me, and they bring cookies when 

they visit.

What are your best memories of working 

here?

I have so many good memories from DLA 

Energy, but my best are from overnight TDY 

trips when we had a chance to speak with open 

minds and really get to know each other.

How do you make a difference?

I make a difference by focusing on the two C’s:

1. Concentrating on things within my control. 

2. Being considerate of others.

DLA Energy Pacific at Korea provides wholesale bulk petroleum supply, distribution and quality 

management for U.S. Forces in the Republic of Korea during armistice and contingency operations. 

DLA Energy Pacific at Korea’s team continually monitors and maintains oversight of more than 320 

million gallons of fuel valued at $1.2 billion while directing a network of 47 accounts with a volume of 

more than 350,000 fuel transactions annually. DLA Energy Pacific at Korea is engaged in the fight 

as U.S. Forces Korea's first choice for world-class energy solutions and a synchronized enterprise 

partner at the “tip of the spear.”

For more information about DLA Energy’s 

worlwide regions, including a list of contacts for 

each region, please visit our public website: 

http://www.dla.mil/Energy/Locations/

Regions.aspx
12 www.dla.mil/Energy Energy Source l SPRING 2017 13

 Floating tethered surveillance aerostats, supplied with 

Defense Logistics Agency Energy Aerospace Energy 

gaseous helium, assist federal, state and local law 

enforcement personnel with defeating and deterring illegal 

smuggling of people and narcotics into our country.

 The aerostats operate under the direction of the U.S. 

Customs and Border Protection bureau and are equipped 

with an array of high-powered surveillance and 

communications equipment.

 “We support CBP, part of the Department of Homeland 

Security, with helium for their aerostats,” said Doug 

Smith, DLA Energy Aerospace Energy director. “The main 

program we support is the Tethered Aerostat Radar 

System and we’ve been supporting it for more than 30 

years.”

 TARS is a look-down surveillance system detecting and 

reporting suspicious aircraft flying towards, arriving at, or 

passing through the U.S. border. CBP aviation 

enforcement officers act on TARS reports by investigating 

or interdicting suspicious aircraft as quickly as practical.

 “TARS is the most cost-efficient capability that we own,” 

said Richard Booth, director of Domain Awareness for 

CBP’s Air and Marine Operations. “It’s like a low-flying 

satellite system, but cheaper to launch and operate,” Booth 

explained.

 Aerospace Energy supports CBP’s 24/7 surveillance 

operations for 13 different aerostat deployments with CBP. 

The aerostats detect daily criminal activity in their 

operating areas, both in the air and on the ground. 

Whether it is a drug bust, groups of illegal immigrants, 

boats smuggling people or drugs or staging areas for drug 

runs, aerostat surveillance systems are among the most 

cost-effective tools in CBP’s inventory.

 “The aerostats are aerodynamic balloons and fly like 

kites in the wind—no one pilots them,” said Rob Brown, 

CBP program manager for TARS. “Raising radar and other 

sensors to high altitude boosts surveillance range, and the 

physical sight of an aerostat is a visual deterrent to illegal 

activity in the air and on the ground,” Brown said.

 TARS uses Aerospace Energy-supplied helium for 

deployment heights as high as 12,000 feet. This allows 

long-range radar to overcome line-of-sight constraints 

caused by the curvature of the Earth and other terrain 

limitations, according to CBP officials.

 The average size of the TARS (aerostat) is 10 percent 

longer and 15 percent wider than an average blimp and 

stretches from a football field goal post out past midfield 

(more than 60 yards long).

 “The smallest of our tactical aerostats, the Rapid 

Aerostat Initial Deployment system, can fit within the 

small belly of the larger TARS system,” Brown said.

 Heading south along the Texas border CBP operates a 

half-dozen surveillance aerostats to monitor known 

human and drug smuggling entryways into the U.S. 

 “The river and vegetation in these areas makes it difficult 

for agents to detect and respond to the illegal activities. 

So agents use aerostats to elevate surveillance cameras 

high above the uncooperative terrain to gain a decisive 

tactical advantage in sensing and maneuvering to 

disrupt and/or apprehend the bad actors,” Brown said. 

 On Dec. 1, 2016, Border Patrol agents from Zapata, 

Texas working with the Mexican government seized 6,283 

pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of 

The Persistent Ground Surveillance System has proven highly 

effective in force protection and surveillance roles. This 

capability offers the U.S. Border Patrol a significant tactical 

advantage. Photo courtesy of Customs and Border Protection

By Elizabeth Stoeckmann

$5,026,000. The agents working aerostat operations 

observed illegal activity on the Mexican side of Falcon 

International Reservoir. The agents noticed several 

Securing 

Borders
14 www.dla.mil/Energy Energy Source l SPRING 2017 15

subjects loading bundles of contraband on a boat and 

contacted Mexican authorities to notify them of the 

location. The Mexican authorities located and confiscated 

the narcotics.

 Damon Moore, Aerospace Energy supplier operations 

deputy, said Falcon Reservoir is one of the top bass fishing 

lakes in the country and the site for several major bass 

tournaments each year.

 The Rio Grande River channel is the official border 

between the U.S. and Mexico. With proper licenses, U.S. 

and Mexican citizens can access the water. There is no wall 

or border checkpoints, making use of aerostats critical for 

surveillance of illegal activity, Moore explained.

 “I have fished the Texas side of Falcon Reservoir on 

several occasions and over the past two years it is 

encouraging to look up while on the lake and see the 

aerostats up in the air,” he said. “Because of the lake’s 

recent history, it gives me an extra sense of security while 

fishing on the U.S. side of the lake.”

 “It’s the diversity of the Aerospace Energy mission that 

continues to impress and give me a sense of pride in what 

we do each day at work supporting the DHS mission of 

securing the border from the trafficking of illegal 

immigrants and drugs,” Moore said.

 Aerospace Energy has an enduring partnership with 

helium reserve to buy our helium,” Smith said. “The 

agreement allows the delivery of crude helium to our 

suppliers, who refine the helium to required quality levels 

and then provide the helium directly to our customers. 

However, with gaseous helium, we have trailers go to the 

vendor’s fill points, load the helium and deliver it to the 

customer location.”

 Smith said they also coordinate with the DLA Energy 

regions, which offer quality assurance support. 

 “These quality assurance representatives, in this case at 

DLA Energy Americas, go to our vendor fill points to 

ensure the quality control program keeps the helium we 

provide CBP on specification,” Smith said. “We do this for 

all of our customers, whether Department of Defense, or in 

this case DHS.”

 DLA has directly supported aerostat systems for over 20 

years, including DOD overseas operations in Iraq, 

Afghanistan and Southwest Asian combat theaters and 

domestically for DHS/CBP law enforcement activities.

 In 2012, CBP began a series of demonstrations with 

tactical aerostats to counter the rising trend of illegal 

immigration in the Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas.

 “The Border Patrol quickly learned how to operate and 

support the camera-equipped aerostats, and now there are 

six systems deployed in the region,” Brown said.

 After successful demonstrations, the U.S. Army 

transferred several aerostat systems and spares to CBP, 

and loans them additional systems currently in the field, 

he said.

 Brown explained that DHS’s largest aerostat, the TARS, 

was recently an Air Force program supported by DLA 

Energy, and that DLA Energy’s strategic partnership for 

logistics support with DHS has been in place for five years.

 “Throughout these program transitions, DLA always 

remained and continues to remain a critical logistics 

partner with CBP, supporting all of our critical helium 

supply requirements,” Brown said.

 “In addition to providing the helium at better-thanmarket prices for CBP, DLA consistently demonstrates 

their outstanding commitment to our law enforcement 

mission and our program personnel,” said Kim Dorman, 

Homeland Security’s CBP operations and supports 

multiple aerostats strategically stationed along the U.S. 

and Mexico border for surveillance programs by supplying 

bulk gaseous helium in tube bank trailers.

 Aerospace Energy owns and maintains a fleet of helium 

tube trailers staged at numerous vendor-fill plants to 

ensure mission readiness worldwide based on customer 

demand. This includes short-notice requests, since DLA 

Energy has the ability to quickly react and support needs 

through a coordinated effort, Smith explained.

 In most cases requirements are part of a long-term 

Aerospace Energy sustainment plan that issues 

competitive Indefinite Delivery & Indefinite Quality 

contracts for bulk gaseous helium to support numerous 

aerostat programs around the globe, including support to 

DHS/CBP programs.

 “We have a diverse supply base to meet these program 

needs,” Smith said.

 “We coordinate with the Bureau of Land Management 

(Department of the Interior) that manages the federal 

TARS logistics manager.

 “We throw a few curve balls to DLA now and then by 

relocating deployment sites, changing order quantities 

off-schedule due to contingencies or simply reacting to 

unplanned concerns,” Dorman said. “DLA delivers what 

we need, where we need it and when we need it – DLA’s 

flexibility, professionalism and mission focus is worthy of 

emulation across all of the government.”

 Smith said Aerospace Energy is implementing the DLA 

strategic plan, a Whole of Government strategy.

 “We leverage economies of scale, buy helium for all of 

our customers that includes DOD, DHS, and support 

operations at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration,” Smith said. “The more requirements we 

bring to the table, the more interest we are able to gather 

from industry. The more competition we receive, the more 

competitive pricing we receive as well. This is a win-win 

for all involved, DOD, DHS and our helium suppliers.”

 CBP has approved spending plans for these aerostats 

well into the next decade. In 2013, CBP Air and Marine 

Operations received control of the TARS program after 

nearly 25 years of U.S. Air Force management.

 CBP law enforcement personnel sing the praises of the 

aerostats, claiming these systems to be “game changers” 

due to their effectiveness, relatively low operating costs 

and overall results in securing our borders.

 Always improving and finding smarter ways to do 

business is not only one of DLA’s strategic goals, but 

something Aerospace Energy believes in, Smith said.

 “Aerospace will continue to focus on providing logistics 

support for helium to CBP, as well as all of our customers, 

in an economical and efficient manner. I’m proud of the 

work my staff does in support of this mission and look 

forward to strategic engagement with CBP, DHS, and 

helping to secure our nation’s borders,” Smith said.

 DLA Aerospace Energy manages the worldwide 

acquisition of missile fuels, liquid propellants for space 

launch and satellites, aviator’s breathing oxygen and other 

bulk industrial chemicals and gases – including nitrogen, 

oxygen, argon, hydrogen and helium.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector 

in Texas receive familiarization and training from U.S. Army 

aerostat program contractor personnel. Customs and Border 

Protection photo by John Milne

On Dec. 1, 2016, Border Patrol 

agents from Zapata, Texas, working 

with the Mexican government, 

seized 6,283 pounds of marijuana 

with an estimated street value of 

$5,026,000. Agents working aerostat 

operations observed illegal activity 

on the Mexican side of Falcon 

International Reservoir. The agents 

noticed several subjects loading 

bundles of contraband onto a boat 

and contacted Mexican authorities 

to notify them of the location. The 

Mexican authorities located and 

confiscated the narcotics. Courtesy 

photo 
16 www.dla.mil/Energy Energy Source l SPRING 2017 17

By Elizabeth Stoeckmann

Defense Logistics Agency Energy Aerospace Energy 

supported NASA’s first U.S. mission to sample an asteroid with 

a launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, in 

September 2016. Photo courtesy of Titan Launches

By Elizabeth Stoeckmann

An artist’s rendering made available by NASA shows the Juno spacecraft above the planet Jupiter.

 Defense Logistics Agency Energy Aerospace Energy 

supported NASA’s first U.S. mission to sample an asteroid 

with a launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, 

Florida, in September 2016.

 Aerospace Energy provided the Atlas 5 rocket’s fuel 

(RP-1 rocket propellant) and 2,700 pounds of hydrazine 

required to launch the spacecraft to orbit Asteroid Bennu 

so it could map and sample the asteroid and retrieve at 

least two ounces of surface material before returning to 

Earth.

 “It gives me a sense of pride knowing that the hard work 

of the men and women of Aerospace Energy supports a 

multi-year space mission to Asteroid Bennu,” said DLA 

Energy Aerospace Energy Supplier Operations Deputy, 

Damon Moore.

 Bennu is as tall as the Empire State Building, weighs 

about 60 million tons and is about 4.5 billion years old.

 According to NASA officials, the spacecraft uses a 

mechanical arm to obtain a sample and return it to Earth 

in about seven years. Bennu is a primitive and carbonrich asteroid made of material that has not changed 

significantly since its formation.

 Scientists are hoping the organic material found on 

Bennu will give scientists an inventory of the materials 

present at the beginning of the solar system that may have 

had a role in the origin of life on Earth and potentially 

elsewhere.

 “When the sample from Asteroid Bennu is returned to 

Earth in 2023, it will be exciting to know that the work 

we do at Aerospace Energy contributed to scientists being 

able to study material present at the beginning of our solar 

system,” Moore said.

 Aerospace Energy partnered with NASA, Lockheed 

Martin, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, University 

of Arizona, the U.S. Air Force and Canberra tracking 

station in Australia for this complex project.

 Aerospace Energy manages the worldwide acquisition 

of missile fuels, liquid propellants for space launch and 

satellites, aviator’s breathing oxygen and other bulk 

industrial chemicals and gases – including nitrogen, 

oxygen, argon, hydrogen and helium.

Aerospace Energy 

supplies propellant for 

NASA rocket launch

 A five-year journey culminated Defense Logistics Agency 

Energy Aerospace Energy’s efforts to propel NASA’s 

unmanned Juno spacecraft into Jupiter’s orbit in July 

2016.

 The Juno mission will remain in orbit for the next 20 

months with the use of propellants provided by DLA 

Energy to help steer and maintain the craft’s position in 

orbit around Jupiter.

 “Aerospace Energy has a long standing reputation for 

providing quality propellant for space programs like 

Juno,” said DLA Energy Aerospace Energy Customer 

Operations Director Kenneth Grams. “We are proud to 

have provided the fuels to both launch and propel this 

exciting spacecraft to unlock the secrets of Jupiter.”

 NASA is hopeful the study of the planet Jupiter will help 

understand the development of our solar system while 

providing new answers to ongoing mysteries about the 

planet’s core, composition and magnetic fields.

 “It’s very exciting to learn more about Jupiter knowing 

that Aerospace Energy helped propel the spacecraft to get 

us there,” said DLA Energy Aerospace Energy Customer 

Relationship Branch Chief Evelyn Salisbury. “It will be 

interesting to see the photos that will be captured and find 

out what is really there.”

 In 2011, Aerospace Energy positioned the necessary 

propellants and fuels to the defense fuel support point at 

Aerospace Energy team contributes to Jupiter 

research, fuels Juno spacecraft launch

Kennedy Space Center in support of the launch vehicle and 

the spacecraft, as well as other commodities for ground 

support.

 The Juno spacecraft was launched on an Atlas V rocket 

which Aerospace Energy supported with RP-1 rocket fuel 

and liquid oxygen with gaseous nitrogen, liquid helium 

and nitrogen for ground support. The spacecraft uses high 

purity hydrazine and dinitrogen in its small thrusters for 

propulsion and steering.

 Many former Aerospace Energy employees coordinated 

the start-up of Juno’s mission from inventory managers, 

transportation specialists, contract specialists to quality 

assurance representatives.

 “Our employees work hard in every aspect to assure 

propellant support to important missions like this go 

smoothly,” Grams said.

 Additionally, propellant engineers determined the 

spacecraft’s requirements to reach Jupiter.

 “They determine the amount of fuel and oxidizer 

required for a mission depending on distance and duration 

of the mission; they also let us know the quantity, grade 

and when they need it,” Salisbury said.

 This is one of many NASA missions that Aerospace 

Energy has supported.

 “Every NASA mission such as Mars, Saturn, Pluto and 

beyond has propellant from this office,” Salisbury said.

 It’s all in a day’s work at Aerospace Energy ... and when 

the launch occurs, the job is done, she said.
18 www.dla.mil/Energy Energy Source l SPRING 2017 19

DLA Energy’s Quality Technical Support Office 

provides expertise, ensures products for customers 

A commercial fuel barge loads jet fuel at Valdez, Alaska, bound for Defense Fuel Support Point Anchorage, Alaska. DLA 

Energy photo by Brian Reed

DLA Energy Europe & Africa Petroleum Laboratory noncommissioned officer in charge, Army Sgt. First Class Mandy Allen 

instructs 21st Theater Sustainment Command Soldiers on how to determine the fuel system icing inhibitor content of JP-8 jet 

fuel during the quarterly Fuel Handler’s course. 21st Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs photo

 Attendance at the Defense Logistics Agency Energy 

Worldwide Energy Conference is a great way to learn new 

ideas and to share experiences. 

 Got the thermal stability blues, high particle count or 

quality assurance issues? Don’t know what these are and/

or just want to get a better understanding of the issues 

and mitigations? Then come, listen and participate in the 

Quality Technical tracks during the Worldwide Energy 

Conference. Here is a sampling of what to expect.

 As a direct report to the DLA Energy Commander, the 

Quality Technical Support Office (DQ) provides quality 

assurance, quality surveillance, product technology, 

measurement, cataloging, standardization and laboratory 

support for all products managed by DLA Energy. The 

office serves as the lead standardization activity for 

federal supply classes 91GP, 9110, 9130 and 9140. DQ also 

represents DLA Energy on quality and technical-related 

issues with military service technical offices, customers, 

suppliers, foreign government partners and national and 

international industry standardization organizations 

and regulatory agencies. The office is responsible for 

quality and technical policy, procedures, guidance and 

information systems related to the acquisition, storage 

and distribution of DLA Energy-managed products. 

Additionally, they provide technical expertise for 

alternative fuels, renewable energy and science and 

technology projects.

 Changes in industry and supply chains create unique 

issues for Department of Defense partners. DOD 

equipment usage and storage periods can vary wildly 

for frequency and rate of consumption, complicating 

equipment operations and product availability. These 

quality problems cross paths between our military 

specification fuels and shared concerns with the 

commercial world for jet fuel thermal stability. Through 

focused commitment, Quality Operations and the Product 

Technology & Standardization Division, the two elements 

of the DQ office, leverage policy development, acquisition 

support, joint investigations, research and development 

projects, intra-governmental agency relationships and 

industry participation as a conduit for problem resolution 

and customer confidence. 

Military Specification Fuels Quality Problems

 For a short period, U.S. Navy vessels consuming F-76 

fuel naval distillate experienced unexplained increases 

of particulates in afloat marine fuel in the Pacific region. 

That status increased filter plugging and required frequent 

changes of fuel filters. While source shore stocks met 

specification requirements, Quality personnel observed 

instances of high particulate and carbon residue data. 

 Though not part of the specification requirement, 

laboratories noted unusually long filtration times when 

performing the particulates tests. Blend studies and 

forensic analysis of liquid product, particulates and sludge 

collected from vessels did not identify a cause. For product 

moved to shore, filtration remediated the F-76 to onspecification status to be consumed as intended or sold on 

the commercial market.

 A joint investigation-working group of DLA Energy 

and service control point partners coordinated sampling 

and testing to seek a root cause and restore the product 

for use. The group established a technical-level nonroutine petroleum, oil & lubricants investigation guidance 

document to align future actions addressing unique 

quality issues. The instructions provide a framework for 

initiating an investigation, the working group structure, 

roles and responsibilities and other agreed-upon practices. 

The guidance provides a template form to initiate an 

investigation and address unique, emergent quality issues.

 The joint guidance is an extension of existing protocols 

where customers address fuel quality problems. Customers 

report service-owned product issues using quality 

deficiency reports and the product data reporting and 

evaluation program system. Terminals or customers with 

custody of DLA-owned product report issues through the 

disposition request process to DLA Energy region quality 

for coordination with Quality Operations and Inventory 

Accountability. Complaints must include information 

relevant to the history of the problem and status.

E85 Product Concerns

 Managing E85, meaning 85 percent blends of 

ethanol with gasoline, requires special considerations 

to avoid filter clogging and vehicle inoperability. E85 

is hydrophilic, meaning it is a dry fuel that absorbs 

moisture-seeking equilibrium with its environment. 

Storage conditions, especially for above-ground tanks, 

can combine to form waxy buildups in tank surfaces. 

Unchecked, these substances accumulate to extremes 

and affect use of the product. Recognizing this scenario 

at customer locations, DLA Energy recommends storage 

facilities take care to rotate product with a turnover ratio 

of 5:1 (on hand quantity versus monthly consumption).

 Vehicle operations are also a wild card. For example, 

By DLA Energy 

Quality Technical Support Office Staff
20 www.dla.mil/Energy

(Left) DLA Energy Middle East Quality Manager Bill 

Davenport boards a Military Sealift Command-chartered 

tanker to perform a vessel inspection prior to loading. MSC 

photo by Willie Jones 

(Below) Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics 

Center Pearl Harbor Laboratory Technician Marissa Tanaka 

tests jet fuel, observed by DLA Energy Pacific at Hawaii 

Quality Manager Jeffery Feltner, in support of a secured fuel 

mission and presidential aircraft Air Force One at Joint Base 

Pearl Harbor-Hickam. NAVSUP FLC photo by Ben Fegurgur 

equipment may remain static for contingency or seasonal 

use. Emergency response vehicles in use can have long 

idle times, also affecting how engines consume product. 

For flex-fuel vehicles, a best practice learned over time 

promotes a scheduled diet of 3:1 (three parts E85, one part 

straight gasoline) to avoid problems with fuel pumps and 

inoperability.

 Cross-contamination through the supply chain is still 

another issue, particularly with E85. Prior to blending 

with alcohol to create E85, gasoline can move through 

pipelines where it can encounter a drag-reducing agent. 

As a result, the insoluble agent component can coat the 

service lines and storage tanks of an unintended customer 

facility with a sticky substance, affecting product flow 

and eventually quality. Not all drag reducing agents are 

incompatible with E85. Further investigation is needed 

to determine compatibility. The remedy to the sticky 

substance utilizes the drag-reducing agent's solubility in 

gasoline: filling the tank with E10 or pure gasoline, letting 

it sit for 48 hours and then removing or consuming the 

fuel restores the system.

 Where quality problems with E85 are addressed, it is 

essential to start with a clean slate. Tank cleaning and 

system flushing set the stage for the best practices to have 

optimum effect.

Aviation Fuel Thermal Stability Woes

 The aviation community has been encountering thermal 

stability issues with aviation fuel, with a detrimental 

impact on supply chains across the United States. Ongoing 

investigations have not yet conclusively identified the 

cause of the issue. However, the commercial industry 

is treating aviation fuel off-specification for thermal 

stability with metal deactivator additive. DOD treats each 

instance of thermal stability failure on a case-by-case 

basis in coordination with the respective service control 

point. Research suggests that thermal stability failures are 

not a safety-of-flight issue. Rather, they cause increased 

turbine engine coking and subsequently, more frequent 

engine maintenance.

 Multiple actions can resolve jet fuel thermal stability 

issues, with varying levels of effort and after-effects. Clay 

can restore thermal stability properties, but can have 

the unwanted effect of removing additives. Use of metal 

deactivator additive to resolve thermal stability issues is 

dependent on customer approval, and they may consider 

whether the source of the failure is identified or remains 

unknown. Blending problem fuel with unaffected product 

can bring thermal stability within specification limits, 

though some risk is involved. Regarding laboratory 

analysis, studies show that while a sample may fail thermal 

stability for abnormal color by a visual tube rating, it may 

pass an ellipsometric tube rating where the measured 

deposit thickness is the key factor. As the accepted 

referee method, the ellipsometer tube rater's ability to 

quantify tube deposits can give the customer confidence 

to consume product. To address thermal stability failures, 

DLA Energy and our partners consider all of these actions.

Research and Development Efforts

 DLA Energy continuously strives to improve its 

acquisition and support functions, performing such efforts 

with input and participation from military services and 

other government customers. These efforts often require 

specific R&D study and analysis to enhance product 

specification requirements, develop solutions to recurring 

fuel product problems and anomalies and realize goals for 

DOD procurements of commercial grade and alternative 

(non-petroleum) fuels.

 The DLA Energy Readiness Program functions within the 

Quality Technical Support Office providing management 

of R&D projects and studies to bring about improvements

to the DOD Class IIIB fuel and energy supply/support 

system. Currently, the most significant program areas of 

focus deal with investigating the following:

- Impacts of fuel compositional changes and contaminants 

on quality, operational requirements and support 

infrastructure;

- Causes of aviation and marine diesel fuel instability 

(thermal and storage) and the development of suitable 

remediation methods and efforts for such.

 The ERP regularly solicits proposals for projects and 

Energy Source l SPRING 2017 21
22 www.dla.mil/Energy Energy Source l SPRING 2017 23

studies applicable to these areas of focus and concern 

from military service technical and research activities. 

Such input comes most notably from the Naval Research 

Laboratory, Washington, D.C.; and the Air Force Research 

Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. 

These activities routinely work to research and solve 

issues connected to product specification problems and 

inconsistencies, and to develop and revise methods for 

the testing and analysis of fuels and related products to 

maintain operational requirements. The ERP has funded 

current and recent projects submitted by these activities 

that have addressed:

- Development of unique analysis methods and protocols 

to diagnose and characterize fuel chemistry;

- Development of unique analysis methods and protocols 

to detect and characterize fuel contaminants;

- Comparison of standard test methods for the 

determination of bulk fuel storage stability;

- Assessment of the impact of copper contamination, 

derived from fuel handling infrastructure, on marine 

diesel fuel storage stability;

- Aircraft combustion operability with alternative (nonpetroleum-based) jet fuels;

- Impact of a specific thermal stability improvement 

additive (metal deactivator) on the standard test method 

for jet fuel thermal stability;

- Testing and evaluation methods for the detection and 

remediation of microbial contamination of bulk fuel in 

DOD storage facilities.

Why Partner with Industry Standards Groups?

 Participation in industry standardization and technical 

groups is vital to addressing quality issues seen in the 

field and ensuring product integrity into the future as 

changes in fuel refining, composition, and distribution and 

handling emerge. Here are just a few of our partnerships:

 The Quality Technical Support Office participates 

in the biannual meeting of the American Society of 

Testing and Materials International’s D02 committee 

on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels and Lubricants. 

ASTM International oversees commercial aviation and 

ground fuel specifications related to many DLA Energy 

products and updates them based on technical input. 

These meetings also cover current quality issues in 

the commercial fuel supply chain. This has led to the 

formation of specialty task forces to address fuel issues 

including stability, handling and testing. The Product 

Technology & Standardization Division is a voting member 

of ASTM and has input to any changes regarding these 

specifications and test methods.

 ASTM International, and other specification authorities, 

rely heavily on data from the Coordinating Research 

Council. CRC directs research in several focus areas, 

including aviation fuels. DLA Energy is a charter member 

of CRC, which provides leverage for guiding the direction 

of research projects as well as early and in-depth 

knowledge of studies as they are conducted. CRC has 

supported research surrounding the stability of jet fuel, 

testing capabilities and fuel remediation.

 Additionally, the Product Technology & Standardization 

Division participates in the International Standardization 

Organization’s Commercial Marine Fuel Working 

Group, ISO TC28/SC4/WG6. This ISO working group 

maintains the ISO 8217 specification for marine fuels and 

addresses both quality concerns as well as regulatory and 

environmental concerns related to commercial marine 

fuel through specification changes and informational 

publications. DLA purchases ISO 8217 (Grade DMA), also 

known as Marine Gas Oil or MGO, under our bunkers 

purchase program. Recent focus within this working group 

has been on fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content and 

cold flow properties. The specification has been modified 

to ensure grades exist under the specification which limit 

FAME to a de-minimus level. 

Customer Confidence

 The Quality and Technical Support team has more 

than 400 years of operational and technical experience 

to ensure the highest support to the warfighter. Through 

dedicated focus, DQ preserves customer confidence 

by maintaining liaison with industry and government 

agencies, leading policy development, extensive R&D 

efforts, joint investigation endeavors and product 

acquisition sustainment.

 “Regardless of the energy source or requirement, this 

office will continue to ensure all products remain onspecification and ready to support DLA Energy customers 

globally,” said Quality Technical Support Office Director 

Pam Serino. 

 Defense Logistics Agency Energy Utility Services helps 

military installations build energy security and energy 

resiliency through the upgrade and sustainment of critical 

utility systems, utilizing contracting support for utilities 

privatization efforts.

 Utilities privatization focuses on electrical, natural gas 

and water distribution systems; wastewater collection 

systems; central heat and power plants; water treatment 

plants; and wastewater treatment plants. Many military 

installations have not received adequate funding to 

maintain utility systems to a safe, resilient, and efficient 

standard. Utilities privatization leverages industry 

expertise and financing to bring systems up to industry 

standards and maintain them at that level.

 “The long-term benefits of utilities privatization 

often outweigh the cost of continuing in-house utilities 

operations,” said DLA Energy Utility Services Director 

Doing business with DLA Energy Utility Services

By Irene Smith Martha Gray. “Many installation utility systems badly need 

major upgrades. By turning them over to a third party, the 

military has long-term operational stability.”

 Utilities privatization is a method by which military 

installations can obtain safe, reliable, technologically 

current and environmentally sound utility systems at a 

relatively lower cost than they would under continued 

government ownership. In the privatization process, 

military installations shift from the role of owneroperators to that of smart utility service customers.

 “This reinvestment must be driven not only by strategy, 

but by innovation that ensures we are doing things 

smarter and more efficiently,” Gray said. “Partnerships 

between the private and public sectors are critical to 

achieving this goal, and these partners stand ready to 

make it happen.”

 Installations seeking to upgrade utility systems must 

follow the Department of Defense utility privatization 

guidelines, as well as those found in the Federal 

DLA Energy Utility Services established a 50-year utility services contract (water/wastewater) at U.S. Army Garrison Fort 

Polk, Louisiana. The system owner completed a capital improvement project to replace old wastewater treatment plants. 

Aerial photo shows Fort Polk’s South Fort plants under construction with the old South Fort plant being decommissioned 

shown at the top of the photo. The owner also built an administrative facility and equalization ponds. Courtesy photo

Quality Technical Support Office

Contact Information 

Please call our Administrative Office: 

703-767-9288

You will then be directed to the 

appropriate subject matter expert.
Energy Source 

l SPRING 2017 25

Acquisition Regulation Part 15 as negotiated best value 

procurements. The government issues a request for 

proposals, interested offerors provide a proposal and 

proposals are evaluated. There may be discussions with 

offerors, a source selection decision is made and, if 

successful, a contract is awarded.

 While the economics are an important goal, having upto-date, safe, reliable utility systems is also important.

 “Utilities privatization is about divestiture of property 

with a bill of sale, it is not a program to ‘contract-out’,” 

Gray said. “All systems must have a certified economic 

analysis per DOD instructions.”

 In the privatization process, each military service 

reviews its utility systems and determines which are 

good candidates for privatization. Not every system or 

installation is chosen.

 DLA Energy supports military service partners by 

offering specialized contracting and technical expertise for 

utility services concerns. The utilities privatization process 

includes both competitive and other-than-competitive 

actions. Cradle-to-grave contracting support includes 

solicitation development, offer evaluation, negotiations, 

best-value source selection award decisions and the full 

gamut of post-award contract administration – for up to 

50 years.

 The cradle-to-grave engineering support DLA Energy 

provides includes development of request for proposal 

technical tenets, participation on source selection 

evaluation boards, preparation of life cycle cost analyses 

and negotiation assistance, as required. In addition, there 

is technical and pricing support for post-award efforts 

for price adjustments, new connections, capital upgrades 

and post-award contract administration for the 50-year 

contract term.

 Army and Air Force installations consume substantial 

amounts of energy. Building sustainable installations 

requires an investment in dependable energy-efficient 

systems. By divesting the military services of these utility 

systems, installation commanders can focus on operations 

and core defense missions and functions, rather than 

repairs and upgrades to utility systems.

(Facing page) DLA Energy Utility Services provided a 

contract award to update an outdated, circa-1965 standby 

power generation facility at Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson, Alaska. The system owner demolished the 

old facility and replaced the backup generation facility 

with three new self-enclosed generators. These generators 

can generate nine megawatts of power and along with 

the landfill gas power plant, provide approximately 15 

megawatts of power for the installation during power 

outage events affecting the local electric utility company.

 After the construction of the three new generators at the 

D Street substation, JBER’s civil engineering squadron 

notified the system owner that existing Air Force guidance 

required 72 hours of fuel storage capacity for backup power 

generation. When the substation was originally constructed 

the backup generators’ interior fuel tanks only had enough 

fuel capacity for 12 hours of run time. Due to Anchorage’s 

sub-arctic environment and existing Air Force guidance for 

backup power requirements, the system owner installed 

three 20,000-gallon fuel tanks and associated piping to 

support the generators for 72 hours as a new project in its 

Annual Capital Upgrades and Renewal & Replacement 

Program.

 The concrete pad in the foreground of the photo is part of 

a filling station for fuel trucks. Courtesy photo

DLA Energy has awarded the following for the Air Force: 

33 contracts

41 utility systems

26 installations

Award value: $3.4 billion

DLA Energy currently administers 

the following for the Air Force:

24 contracts

31 utility systems

18 installations

Contract value: $3.1 billion

DLA Energy has awarded 

the following for the Army:

43 contracts

77 utility systems

25 installations

Award value: $10.5 billion

 DLA Energy currently administers the following for the Army:

30 contracts

55 utility systems

16 installations

Contract value: $9.6 billion

24 www.dla.mil/Energy
26 www.dla.mil/Energy

My name is: Navy Lt. Tom Wilson

I am: 

The DLA Energy Responsible Officer at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa. I assumed this role in December 

2016 and will serve a one year tour in Djibouti as the Camp Lemonnier fuels officer.

Describe your job in a sentence: 

My job is dynamic and exciting; I get the opportunity 

to use critical thinking skills to solve problems related 

to the wide variety of challenges associated with 

running a fuel operation in Africa.

How long have you worked at DLA Energy?

Though I work for the U.S. Navy, I have worked 

alongside DLA Energy for the past three years. 

What is your favorite thing about working for DLA 

Energy?

DLA Energy is a dynamic organization that seeks to 

always put the warfighter first. I have relied heavily 

upon the expertise of the DLA Energy staff while 

dealing with the various challenges associated with 

petroleum logistics, operations and quality assurance 

at Camp Lemonnier and have always received 

excellent guidance and advice.

What are your best memories of working here?

The best thing about working in my current position 

is the ability to lead the 62 U.S. Navy, U.S. national, 

foreign national and local national personnel who 

operate our fuel facility. They frequently work long 

hours in an austere environment and only have the opportunity to see their families once or twice a year. 

These challenges do not stop them from performing at their best, and their high level of enthusiasm and 

determination keeps me driven to support them. I am extremely lucky to have such an incredible team.

How do you make a difference?

My team supports both Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa by providing both 

aviation and diesel fuel for U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Central Command missions. We are the only DLA 

Energy capitalized fuel facility on the African continent and our support allows the United States to foster 

positive relations among various African nations.

I am DLA ENERGY

Energy Source l SPRING 2017 27

Camp Lemonnier provides, operates and sustains superior service in support of combat readiness and security 

of ships, aircraft, detachments and personnel for regional and combatant command requirements; and enables 

operations in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-African Nation relations. Camp Lemonnier is a 

U.S. Navy led installation operated by Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia via U.S. 

Naval Forces Africa and Commander, Navy Installations Command. The Camp supports U.S., joint and allied 

forces military and civilian personnel and U.S. Department of Defense contractors. Additionally, the base 

provides employment for approximately 100 local and third country nation workers. (Source: Commander, 

Navy Installations Command website)

Capital Upgrades - 

 Before and After

 “DLA Energy is the contracting agent of choice for the 

U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force,” Gray said. “We work 

closely with our [military] service partners to provide 

quality utility services to warfighters and their families on 

military installations across the United States.”

 To date, DLA Energy has awarded 76 contracts for 118 

systems at 51 military installations totaling $13.9 billion.

 “We administer 54 contracts for 86 systems at 33 

installations totaling $12.6 billion,” Gray said. “These 

awarded contracts have resulted in a cost avoidance of 

$2.6 billion to date.”

 Looking ahead in 2017, DLA Energy is planning 12 

contracts for 22 systems at eight different installations 

totaling $2.8 billion. An additional 43 systems are in 

progress, worth $7.6 billion. The beneficial collaboration 

between military installation, energy utility companies and 

DLA Energy Utility Services saves money and resources.

 Taking advantage of the privatization process builds 

energy security and resiliency, and these improved utility 

systems reduce energy consumption - a win-win situation 

for the military and utility services. 

Contact DLA Energy 

Utilities Services

(703) 617-1529

(703) 617-1532
LAUNCHING

in 2019

The 9th Biannual 

Worldwide Energy Conference

For more information fly by www.dla.mil/energy