ENERGY SOURCE

Defense Logistics Agency Energy

July 2013

UNSUNG

HEROES
One year after being introduced to you, I stand e year after being introduced to you, I stand 

here amazed at the significant contributions ere amazed at the significant contributions 

you have made over that time. I couldn’t be ou have made over that time. I couldn’t be 

more thrilled to be here at DLA Energy and more ore thrilled to be here at DLA Energy and more 

proud of how you all received a non-fuelie, former roud of how you all received a non-fuelie, former 

end user of our product and developed me into your nd user of our product and developed me into your 

commander and advocate to those inside and out of ommander and advocate to those inside and out of 

the Defense Department. he Defense Department.

Going into our next year, Mike Scott, Kathryn oing into our next year, Mike Scott, Kathryn 

Fantasia, Pete Crean and I look forward to building antasia, Pete Crean and I look forward to building 

on your successes and continue providing the n your successes and continue providing the 

exquisite support to the warfighter that we’re known xquisite support to the warfighter that we’re known 

for. We are deliberately developing our civilian or. We are deliberately developing our civilian 

workforce, giving some of you opportunities to orkforce, giving some of you opportunities to 

gain invaluable field experience, provide depth ain invaluable field experience, provide depth 

and breadth to become senior leaders such as the nd breadth to become senior leaders such as the 

next regional deputy commanders and combatant ext regional deputy commanders and combatant 

command liaison officers to name a few. To those ommand liaison officers to name a few. To those 

who have had the high honor to serve in these ho have had the high honor to serve in these 

positions, we welcome you to your next opportunity ositions, we welcome you to your next opportunity 

to sharpen, develop, mentor and broaden your o sharpen, develop, mentor and broaden your 

horizons, whether at something new or teaching orizons, whether at something new or teaching 

what you have learned over the years to our capable hat you have learned over the years to our capable 

workforce. orkforce.

Shifting gears to the theme of this magazine’s hifting gears to the theme of this magazine’s 

edition, we can’t say enough good things about DLA dition, we can’t say enough good things about DLA 

Energy’s “Unsung Heroes.” Like many of us, these nergy’s “Unsung Heroes.” Like many of us, these 

2 www.energy.dla.mil

Front cover graphic by: Jonathan Stack

Back cover: Jonathan Stack

Commander

Air Force Brig. Gen. Giovanni Tuck

Deputy Commander

Mike Scott

Chief of Staff

Army Col. Peter Crean

Public Affairs Offi cer

Irene Smith

Editor

Jonathan Stack

Writing Staff

Terry Shawn

Susan Lowe

Christopher Goulait

Layout/Design

Jonathan Stack

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 is an offi cial publication distributed by and for the Defense Logistics 

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

necessarily the offi cial 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

lications.

.

Brig. Gen. Giovanni K. Tuck, USAF

Defense Logistics Agency Energy

are the folks who put in tireless hours behind the re the folks who put in tireless hours behind the 

scenes to make sure we meet the Services’ military cenes to make sure we meet the Services’ military 

specifications or are on the ground in the regions pecifications or are on the ground in the regions 

making big things happen, side by side with our aking big things happen, side by side with our 

customers, performing reviews and facilitating ustomers, performing reviews and facilitating 

support. upport.

This edition, we highlight the amazing work our his edition, we highlight the amazing work our 

chemists, quality assurance representatives, liaison hemists, quality assurance representatives, liaison 

officers and contracting officer representatives fficers and contracting officer representatives 

perform, often out of the limelight, under austere erform, often out of the limelight, under austere 

conditions. Three others, to name a few, make the onditions. Three others, to name a few, make the 

ordinary extraordinary...our Direct Delivery folks rdinary extraordinary...our Direct Delivery folks 

put contracts in place in foreign countries in the ut contracts in place in foreign countries in the 

snap of our fingers. Our Installation Energy and nap of our fingers. Our Installation Energy and 

Aerospace Energy units expertly manage our non- erospace Energy units expertly manage our nonpetroleum products. And they do so for love of etroleum products. And they do so for love of 

mission and team. I hope you enjoy this edition, ission and team. I hope you enjoy this edition, 

our PA staff is incredible and they have put together ur PA staff is incredible and they have put together 

another amazing product! nother amazing product!

DLA Energy Command Air Force Brig. Gen. Giovanni Tuck 

addresses a business unit about the potential sequestration 

impact to the workforce. Photo by Christopher Goulait
Energy Source l July 2013 3

CONTENTS 4 Chemist

8 Liaison Of Liaison Officer

12 Quality Assurance Representative 2 Quality Assurance Representative

16 Contract Of 6 Contract Officer Representative cer Representative

18 Exercise Support

24 Refueling the Antarctic

28 Supplying Forces in the Paci 8 Supplying Forces in the Pacific

31 One Face 1 One Face

Ch i 

Warfighter Support ghter Support

We Are DLA e Are DLA

8E i S

Energy

An Air Force fuels lab technician connects an in-line sampler to a 

connection device. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Johnny Saldivar
Unsung Heroes Warfighter Support

4 www.energy.dla.mil ww.energy.dla.mil

Beyond the lab: eyond the lab: C

By Christopher Goulait y Christopher Goulait

The link that helps supplier and customer communities 

work together to meet their technical requirements 

is also the same part of the Defense Logistics Agency 

Energy that researches new products and energy solutions.

Chemists are on the front lines when it comes to quality and 

technical support, both within DLA Energy and outside the 

agency.

“Our main role in supporting DLA Energy is acquisition 

support with respect to the technical evaluations and 

exceptions, deviations and waivers process,” said Dan 

Baniszewski, chief of the Product Technology and 

Standardization division in the DLA Energy Quality/

Technical Support offi ce.

The duties branch out much more from there, added 

Mike Domen, a chemist with Product Technology and 

Standardization.

“DLA Energy chemists perform a variety of functions to 

support the missions of the warfi ghter, all of which 

are critical to ensuring the products we buy meet 

their specifi c requirements for quality at the time of 

delivery,” Domen said.

Domen explained the offi ce’s Product Technology 

and Standardization division is the principal advisor 

for technical matters relating to petroleum fuels, 

lubricants, additives, alternate-source fuels, missile 

fuels, coal and other related products and services.

Chemists at DLA Energy headquarters don’t 

necessarily roll up their sleeves and get their 

hands dirty, so to speak, Domen explained.

“The main difference between a 

headquarters and a regional chemist is the 

ability to physically work in a lab,” he said. 

“We both are consulted on product quality 

issues, however, chemists in the region 

can accept samples and run analyses on 

them.”

Headquarters’ chemists work with regional chemists in collecting 

routine test results for the Petroleum Quality Information System, 

and coordinate when directing further required testing as a result 

of off-specifi cation properties or other concerns observed during 

operations.

Chemists at the agency’s headquarters serve in a variety of roles, even 

without the lab, Domen said. 

These roles can include providing technical evaluations for 

acquisition, assistance to defense fuel support points, gathering 

research and information and working with external agencies and 

organizations.

“We perform technical evaluations in support of source selections 

prior to contract award, as well as consider any product quality 

requests 
Energy Source nergy Source lJuly 2013 July 2013 5

Chemists at work hemists at work ,

even 

d
Warfighter Support Unsung Heroes nsung Heroes

6 www.energy.dla.mil

from the contractor during post 

award and delivery,” Domen said. 

“Frequently, a supplier will notify 

us that they require a change to 

a quality aspect that was either 

stated in the solicitation or was 

agreed to during contract award.” 

Suppliers ask for all kinds of things 

related to quality, which usually involve 

delivering a product that doesn’t meet a 

certain property as detailed in the specifi cation, 

he continued. Other requests can include proposing 

an alternate test method or testing location, including 

a previously unapproved additive, or even wanting to 

substitute a whole different product.

These requests for changes are known as exceptions, 

deviations and waivers. 

Exceptions are something the contractor asks for during 

pre-award negotiations, whereas deviations before product 

production and one-time allowance waivers occur after 

contract award.

“In addition to direct support for procurement and 

operations, chemists also gather research, data and 

information in order to either seek out solutions to a 

customer problem, fi nd new cost saving measures or to track 

product quality and trends,” Domen said.

In this area, chemists function as project managers for DLA 

Energy-funded research and development programs for 

work typically performed by military research facilities, he 

said. They also maintain the Petroleum Quality Information 

System database, a worldwide comprehensive data 

repository for product test results unlike anything else 

available, as well as act a lead standardization activity for 

DLA Energy-owned national stock numbers.

The reach of a chemist goes beyond the Quality/Technical 

Support offi ce, including major support to the regions and 

the DFSPs, Baniszewski said. 

“We also support other offi ces, such as International 

Agreements, by reviewing fuel exchange agreements for 

the incorporation of proper technical specifi cations,” 

Baniszewski said. 

DLA Counsel-Energy and DLA Finance Energy are supported 

as well by helping with defi nitions and the applications of 

technical terms in documents and by reviewing the prices 

associated with the products the agency sells to the services, 

he said.

At DLA Energy headquarters, chemists work mostly 

with the Bulk Petroleum Products, Bulk Petroleum 

Supply Chain Services and Direct Delivery contracting 

offi ces, the Inventory and Requirements division and the 

Transportation/Tankers group, but at some point they have 

worked with just about everyone, Domen said

Internal support is also extended to the DFSPs and various 

customer locations using DLA Energy-owned products. 

In order to get the job done, it’s important to have good 

working relationships with the region quality managers 
Energy Source l July 2013 7

and quality assurance representatives, as well as the service 

control points to coordinate technical responses and product 

dispositions, Domen said.

“We also maintain contact with our counterparts at DLA 

Aviation in Richmond [Va.,] since we have quite a bit 

of common ground with some of the fuel additives and 

lubricants DLA buys, and the specifi cations and NSNs we 

manage,” Domen continued. “Plus, part of our team located 

in San Antonio handles missile fuel-related matters.”

The duties of a DLA Energy chemist also extend outside DLA. 

Along with each of the service control points, chemists work 

with the services’ military research facilities: the Air Force 

Research Laboratory, Naval Air Systems Command, the 

Naval Research Laboratory, Southwest Research Institute 

and the Army Tank and Automotive Research, Development 

and Engineering Center.

Contact is also maintained with foreign militaries through 

NATO, the Air and Space Interoperability Council, 

International Air Transport Association and the Englishspeaking navies of America, Britain, Canada, Australia and 

New Zealand known as ABCANZ, as well as other industry 

partners like refi ners, suppliers, ASTM and the International 

Fuel Quality Center.

Plus, chemists monitor updates to national energy policies 

and environmental regulations through forums such as the 

Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative and the 

Clean Air Act Services Steering Committee, Domen said. 

“There is active participation in military and nongovernmental standards organizations by attending meetings 

and conferences, like from the previously mentioned 

organizations, just to name a few, where our chemists can 

network with government and industry representatives to 

discuss current issues and ensure the needs of DLA Energy’s 

customers are represented and considered,” he added.

Working outside the agency with organizations like ASTM 

can also provide part of the continuous training and 

education needed to build on the formal four-year chemistry 

or chemical engineering degrees that form the base of a 

chemist’s knowledge, Domen said.

“However, also having prior petroleum laboratory experience 

and/or working knowledge of petroleum handling systems is 

most certainly a bonus,” he added.

Chemists at the DLA Energy headquarters support the activities 

of their regional counterparts, such as these chemists undergoing 

training April 23 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. DLA Energy Europe 

and Africa courtesy photo

Domen said aside from a degree or Defense Acquisition 

University courses, engaging in constant technical 

evaluations is the best way for chemists to keep their 

expertise and problem-solving skills fresh. On-the-job 

experience enhances the basic principles learned from formal 

education, along with attending technical presentations and 

discussions at conferences or external meetings.

Keeping these skills honed is the difference between business 

as usual and a breakdown in communication between 

DLA Energy and the military services’ technical offi ces, 

Baniszewski said. DLA Energy’s chemists prevent large 

delays when it comes to resolving technical issues and setting 

technical requirements for fuel-related solicitations.

“We often serve as the conduit and link between the 

contracting offi ces and the technical point of contact in the 

service control points,” Baniszewski said. “DLA Energy 

would have little expertise to resolve issues in a way most 

benefi cial to the agency without our chemists, since any 

outside guidance and assistance would come with a different 

perspective.”
Warfighter Support Unsung Heroes nsung Heroes

8 www.energy.dla.mil

Defense Logistics Agency Energy liaison 

and planning offi cers perform multiple 

and diverse tasks as they provide energy 

solutions throughout their regions, both in the 

continental United States and overseas. 

However, while LNOs use many skill sets, the 

responsibilities of each are dictated by their 

region’s requirements.

The LNO position calls for a petroleum specialist 

to understand a particular mission’s intent, assess 

the potential fuel requirements and provide 

advice and technical guidance to direct the design, 

development and execution of operational and 

contingency fuel plans.

The individual must be able to coordinate 

planning efforts with other functional specialists, 

know how DLA Energy is organized and functions 

and be an expert in joint and service fuel logistics, 

said DLA Energy Europe and Africa LNO David 

Ray. 

He added, LNOs must maintain a robust 

professional relationship with headquarters 

and regional leadership, service control points 

contracting offi cers and commodity subject 

matter experts as part of the job.

“DLA Energy liaisons/planners are DLA Energy’s 

‘strategic fi reman’. The days of liaisons being just 

By Terry Shawn By Terry Shawn By Terry Shawn

Skills, exp kills, expe

(Above) A Marine measures the fuel levels of a Medium Tactical Vehicle 

Replacement at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 

Afghanistan is one of the many places DLA Energy has liaison offi cers 

providing advice and technical guidance to execute energy solutions. Photo 

by Marine Cpl. Ashley Santy

(Right) A DLA Energy-contracted truck drives across a bridge to deliver 

fuel to a location at Africa’s Pole of Inaccessibility in the Central Africa 

Republic. DLA Energy LNOs must coordinate with the vendor, customer 

and contracting team to overcome challenges that include a six month 

rainy season and poor transportation infrastructure typical in this remote 

region. DLA Energy Europe and Africa courtesy photo
Energy Source l July 2013 9

a communication conduit to the customer are long gone,” he 

said.

Effective networking management across the joint planning, 

petroleum and operations enterprise is a must to be able 

to help the combatant command staff shape and lead joint 

fuel teams to generate optimal and timely solutions, Ray 

explained. 

Ray uses the term “joint fuel renaissance man” to describe his 

role. 

“You must know, in detail, about joint and service fuel 

logistics, understand joint and service bulk petroleum 

doctrine and understand the seams between military 

services, combatant commands and DLA Energy,” Ray 

explained.

It is only with the credibility that comes from establishing 

a transparent partnership in which the LNO understands 

the combatant commander’s requirements that the LNO 

can bring real fuel logistics solutions to improve warfi ghter 

support and effi ciency, he said.

There is also a policy component to the LNO mission. 

Chris Sheppard, DLA Energy Europe and Africa LNO, 

serves as planning advisor and consultant to U.S. Air Force 

Europe regarding bulk petroleum logistics planning and 

execution in support of the service’s requirements in the U.S. 

European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of 

responsibilities. 

“I provide direction and clear interpretation of DLA Energy 

policy to [the Air Force] on various 

DLA Energy procedures with respect to 

managing of DLA-owned fuel,” he said.

Maintaining this level of knowledge, policy understanding, 

organization and coordination in a region like DLA Energy 

Europe and Africa can be challenging and exciting, said 

Samuel Cooks, Jr., DLA Energy LNO to AFRICOM.

“Africa is three times the size of the United States and 

consists of 54 different countries,” he said. “AFRICOM has 

been engaging more on the continent, which has resulted 

in the expansion of DLA Energy support on the continent 

supporting low-volume, high-profi le missions.”

Some of the challenges lie in executing fuel delivery in Africa 

with a limited supplier base, immature transportation 

networks and supply chain distances, explained Cooks.

“What makes Africa unique is the fuel requirements are small 

but require much more oversight to manage,” he added. 

Sheppard noted DLA Energy LNOs support everything from 

main operating bases with a mature, stable infrastructure, 

such as Ramstein Air Base, to bare base locations in Africa. 

For one fuel support mission, Cooks said he had the 

unenviable task of coordinating with the vendor, customer 

and contracting team to monitor the delivery of DLA Energy 

Direct Delivery-contracted fuel to a place in Obo, Central 

African Republic, called Africa’s Pole of Inaccessibility, so 

named because it is the farthest point from any coast on 

continental Africa. 

a communication conduit to the customer are long gone ” he policy to [the Air Force] on various

pertise required rtise required
Warfighter Support Unsung Heroes nsung Heroes

10 www.energy.dla.mil

This was the fi rst time executing fuel deliveries in the 

unfamiliar markets of the Central African Republic, Cooks 

said. Poor transportation infrastructure and the weather 

impacts during the rainy April through September season 

were part of the challenge for the DLA Energy contractor 

delivering fuel drums from the supplier in Sudan to Obo – a 

distance of approximately 1,064 kilometers, or 661 miles. 

“Paved roads were scarce,” he added. “The compacted dirt 

roads were degraded and all roads were impacted during the 

rainy season.” 

There were also problems to overcome in sourcing fuel 

drums for the fuel support requirements of the mission, Cook 

explained. In one instance, a vendor had to source fuel drums 

from Cameroon, and in another case, the vendor had to 

source the drums from Mombasa, Kenya.

Each DLA Energy liaison offi cer faces challenges unique to 

their region and environment. LNOs in Afghanistan might 

be faced with different tasks and obstacles, which could 

potentially require different skill sets.

Army Maj. Jay Greeley has been serving as the DLA Energy 

LNO in Kabul since November 2012. At the operational level, 

he serves as a fuels liaison to senior leadership of the U.S. 

Forces Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance 

Forces headquarters. 

Over the past few months, his position has developed a 

tactical leadership component by assisting the contracting 

offi cer representatives. 

“I planned and led several missions throughout Kabul to 

ensure that the CORs could meet their objectives at various 

points of interest and contracted sites,” Greeley said. “This 

included conducting leaders reconnaissance missions and 

coordinating the necessary forces to help facilitate secure 

visits by the CORs.

Greeley said he is proud of the CORs, because their 

willingness to routinely expose themselves to indirect fi re and 

improvised explosive devices has been truly commendable.

At the strategic level, Greeley is a representative of the U.S. 

Embassy to the Afghan government, and is tasked with 

upholding the safeguards and policies of the Status of Forces 

Agreement in order to ensure fuel operations continue 

uninterrupted.

“This means ensuring fuel traversing the border crossing 

points are not subject to taxes, fi nes, penalties, fees or 

inspection by the Afghan customs offi cials,” Greeley said.

The Afghan government is under pressure to develop 

revenue generating activities in order to fi nance their future 

government, Greeley said, and this has led to several efforts 

to impose taxes, fi nes and fees by threatening to imprison 

vendors, but these efforts are all exempt under the current 

Status of Forces Agreement.

This requires the incumbent LNO to have a depth of 

knowledge ranging from how to complete meticulous 

diplomatic paperwork to conducting tactical movements, and 

knowing which ministry offi cial to engage to solve problems 

quickly, he said.

“Fortunately, DLA Energy isn’t new to this ... I have the 

luxury of reaching back to at least the last fi ve predecessors 

for advice,” he added. “This spirit of continuity helps us to 

thwart new attempts at old tricks.” 

Even as the mission in Afghanistan comes to a close, 

Greeley’s enforcement of the SOFA is a daily undertaking. 

Many LNOs have military service and experience as a fuel 

specialist.

Cooks, with 21 years petroleum experience in the Air Force, 

said being assigned at the American Embassy in Muscat, 

Oman, helped him prepare to be an LNO.

“Our primary mission there was to manage the Air Force’s 

pre-positioned War Reserve Materiel Program for Southwest 

Asia,” Cooks said. “As the sole DoD petroleum specialist in 

country, I had the opportunity to work directly with the DLA 

Energy Middle East offi ce on the DLA-owned fuel that was 

stored in Oman based on a fuel storage agreement with the 

Royal Air Force of Oman.”

There, in a facilitator role, Cooks worked with DLA Energy 

Middle East and RAFO on all fuel agreement issues, 

including fuel product quality, facility maintenance and 

inventory accounting practices, during his time at the 

beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, he said. 

He also had frequent communications with the DLA Energy 

Middle East team and escorted team members on numerous 

site visits to RAFO air bases. 

“That’s when I was really exposed to the full might of DLA 

Energy’s warfi ghter support mission,” he said. “There were 

a number of critical strategic-level fuel resupply issues for 

two locations in Oman and I observed fi rst-hand how DLA 
Energy Source l July 2013 11

customer.”

LNOs agree about the important role they play as the gobetween for DLA Energy and their customers.

“I think this job is important to both DLA Energy and the 

customer because the LNO’s role is to help fi nd the most 

optimal DLA Energy solution to meet the customer’s 

requirements. It sounds simple, but it involves considerable 

effort to promote DLA Energy’s policies, procedures and 

capabilities,” Cooks said.

The warfi ghter greatly appreciates and relies on the DLA 

Energy LNO/planner to be the “joint fuels duty expert” to 

help them develop comprehensive and optimal fuel logistics 

capabilities and results, Ray said.

“DLA Energy senior leadership and commodity managers, 

contracting offi cers and subject matter experts rely on the 

LNOs/planners to help them understand how to shape and 

meet the expectations and requirements of the warfi ghter.”

The idea, Cooks explained, is to provide as much information 

as possible to help the customer with planning and decisionmaking with respect to DLA Energy solutions.

A Marine conducts fueling operations on Forward Operating Base Delaram, Helmand province, 

Afghanistan. DLA Energy LNOs coordinate with combatant commands to facilitate the services 

receiving energy solutions worldwide. Photo by Marine Staff Sgt. Ezekiel Kitandwe

Energy implemented action 

plans to deliver aviation fuel to 

keep the mission going.”

Similarly, Ray said his 23 years 

as a Marine and the guidance 

he received from Marine 

logistics leaders prepared him 

for his job as a logistics and 

planning offi cer with DLA 

Energy.

“Having received my military 

fuel training with the Army 

at Fort Lee [Va.,] and serving 

throughout my career with 

other military and Defense 

Fuel Supply Center [now DLA 

Energy] fuel professionals, 

I was provided with a wider 

scope of experience than just 

working strictly in Marine 

logistics lanes,” Ray said.

In the latter part of his Marine 

service, Ray was the Marine 

Forces Pacifi c fuels and water logistics offi cer working at 

the joint fuel level with U.S. Pacifi c Command, U.S. Central 

Command and DLA Energy. After leaving the service, Ray 

worked in refueling operations for a consortium made up of 

16 airlines that owned and operated Honolulu International 

Airport. 

He also worked in the private sector as a DLA Energy 

contracted fuel facility optimization project manager, 

and has served as DLA Energy LNO/planner at PACOM, 

CENTCOM, EUCOM as well as DLA LNO to U.S. Special 

Forces Command.

“During this time, I developed several strong professional 

and personnel relationships within DLA Energy 

headquarters that strengthened me professionally and 

helped prepare me for what I have the honor and privilege of 

doing today,” Ray said.

During his 26 years in the Air Force, Sheppard worked as 

a refueling unit operator, hydrant operator, bulk storage 

operator, accountant and administrator, and performed his 

duties in the laboratory, quality control and operations and 

served as fl ight superintendent.

“So, I have real-world practical experience, in fuels, receiving, 

storing, inventorying, issuing and accounting for DLA Energy 

product,” Sheppard explained. “In short, I was DLA Energy’s 
Warfighter Support Unsung Heroes Ensuring region nsuring regiona

Highly skilled quality teams across the Defense 

Logistics Agency Energy’s regions manage quality 

oversight of all fuel contracts to ensure the customer’s requirements are met.

Quality managers and quality assurance representatives 

work together in the regions ensuring many of the products DLA Energy procures meet the standards needed to 

keep the warfi ghter going strong.

“QARs support every mission, from Operation Enduring 

Freedom to humanitarian missions in support of natural 

By Christopher Goulait

disasters worldwide,” said DLA Energy Middle East Quality Manager Jeffery Feltner.

Feltner said quality teams support many major missions 

around the world, but in his U.S. Central Command region 

some examples are the missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, 

Jordan and Egypt, along with support to exercises like the 

multinational exercise Bright Star.

“The work we do in the fi eld is major, like loading and 

discharging vessels, into-plane inspections, inspecting 

cryogenics and conducting different types of 

Landing crafts taking part in exercise Bright Star prepare to enter the well deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship 

USS Bataan in the Mediterranean Sea. Exercise Bright Star is one of many major missions supported by DLA Energy Middle 

East’s quality assurance teams, who ensure DLA Energy-procured products’ quality and quantity are on-specifi cation, among 

other roles. Photo by Navy Petty Offi cer 3rd Class Ryan Steinhour

12 www.energy.dla.mil ww.energy.dla.mil
nal quality l quality

pre-award and post-award site surveys in the region of 

unknowns,” Feltner said.

Quality managers and quality leads form the regional 

teams managing the quality oversight of all fuel contracts 

throughout the regions. 

“QARs are the eyes and ears of the contracting offi cers out 

in the fi eld,” Feltner said. “In some locations, they perform 

not only quality functions, but logistics management specialist and inventory management functions as the ‘boots 

on the ground’ representatives of DLA Energy.”

The regional team is led by quality managers who provide 

guidance and leadership to leads and quality assurance 

representatives to perform their jobs to the best of their 

ability. They also conduct robust training needed for the 

professional development of their team.

That team is also made up of QARs with a variety of duties, 

said DLA Energy Middle East QAR Edward Lewis. Two of 

a QAR’s responsibilities involve reviews.

One has them looking into contractors’ production activities and capabilities, keeping contract quality 

Energy Source nergy Source lJuly 2013 July 2013 13
Warfighter Support Unsung Heroes nsung Heroes

14 www.energy.dla.mil

after loading and prior to discharge, and one more time 

again in the receiving shore tank after vessel discharge. 

QARs also perform interior tank inspections on vessels 

to ensure the cleanliness and compliance of the vessel 

when required.

The work of a QAR is very important to a region, Feltner 

said.

“Without QARs providing quality oversight over contracts in the regions, the risk of out-of-specifi cation 

product reaching airframes, vehicles and vessels would 

be very high,” he said. “Their constant presence and periodic auditing ensures the contractors’ procedures and 

helps to guarantee delivery of on-specifi cation product 

to the warfi ghter, and they serve as an invaluable part of 

the contracting process.”

Recognizing problems and correcting defi ciencies before 

the end user receives off-specifi cation product saves 

countless man hours and costs caused by receipt and 

damages from off-specifi cation product or services by the 

contractor, he said.

Bridging any gaps between a region’s quality manager 

and its QARs is the lead QAR, Feltner said. They act as 

support to quality managers and act as a backup person 

with experience when QARs need guidance with training 

and any other issues that might arise.

While the lead QAR can serve as an additional link 

between quality managers and QARs, the lynchpin of all 

communications around the world is the headquarters 

DLA Energy Quality/Technical Support offi ce, Lewis 

added.

The DLA Energy headquarters isn’t the only group quality managers and QARs work with outside of their team, 

Lewis said. Carrying out a QAR’s work requires working 

with many other people, in many different and diffi cult 

atmospheres, often outside of the agency.

“We work with contractors, sub-contractors, refi nery 

personnel, vessel personnel, inventory managers and 

logistics management specialists to make sure we’re 

receiving and issuing the correct quantities, and also to 

ensure contractors are meeting their storage objectives,” 

Lewis said.

Contracting personnel are another group the QARs work 

with to keep track of contracts and solicitations, and the 

associated modifi cations and amendments, Lewis said. 

There’s also crew members on the vessels to verify quantities carried, contracted bulk storage representatives for 

requirements in mind and ensuring that the contractor 

understands the requirements spelled out in the contract. 

The other review is of the contractor’s written quality or 

inspection procedures, when they’re required by the contract.

“Other duties include evaluating the implementation 

and effectiveness of the contractor’s quality or inspection 

system, including contractor-developed sampling plans 

and quality control plans,” Lewis said. “We also spend time 

verifying the testing or inspection of the products offered 

to the government to ensure compliance with contractual 

requirements before they’re accepted.”

A QAR’s duties also feature oversight and surveys of fuel 

sites before and during shipments, said Owen Lawson, 

another DLA Energy Middle East QAR.

Before an award is made, QARs perform pre-award surveys of potential contractor operations that provide fuel 

storage, issue and transfer operations and truck fi lling or 

offl oading operations, he said. This includes into-plane operations at various airports and airfi elds in the area of responsibility that provide fuel to U.S. and coalition aircraft.

“Once a contract is awarded, we provide oversight of the 

contractor’s operation to ensure the terms of the contract 

are being met, and provide corrective action when necessary,” Lawson said.

Quality oversight is also performed on fuel shipments via 

tanker, he explained. Quality and quantity are verifi ed in 

issuing shore tanks prior to loading, on the vessel during/

DLA Energy Middle East Quality Assurance Representative 

Christopher Rogers, left, conducts a walk-through inspection 

of Red Facility in Bagram, Afghanistan. Reviewing contractors’ 

production activities and capabilities is just one role of a QAR. 

DLA Energy Middle East courtesy photo
Energy Source l July 2013 15

and training of some sort, which consist of Air Force, Army, Marine and 

Navy fuel specialists, and some from 

the Coast Guard,” he said. “Military 

service is a common experience between QARs, but the commercial world 

also applies to the benchmarking of 

processes involved in directly handling 

the product.”

Without the regional quality teams’ expert training and 

wealth of experience, DLA Energy’s interactions with its 

customers and suppliers would be very different, Feltner 

explained.

“If we didn’t have the quality personnel in place, the 

agency would not have a system in place to audit contractors’ processes to ensure that quality requirements for a 

product or service would be fulfi lled,” he said.

If that were the case, some product would be overpriced 

with poor quality and quantity, which would cause major 

issues for the agency and mission support, he said. When 

product is off-specifi cation or below tolerance, quality 

personnel wouldn’t be in place to investigate and guide the 

contractor to resolve the problem.

Feltner added that, ultimately, without quality teams at 

work, there would be nobody in place to provide the onsite 

oversight of the product supporting the warfi ghters’ mission ensuring mission success.

“You can have 1 million gallons of product on hand, but if 

it’s not on specifi cation, it’s worthless,” Feltner said.

DLA Energy Middle East quality managers and quality assurance specialists support their region by ensuring the products DLA 

Energy procures, such as the bulk fuel this Marine prepares to pump into storage bladders, meets the standards needed to keep the 

warfi ghter going strong. Photo by Marine 1st Lt. Tyler Morrison

gauging shore tanks and contracted laboratory personnel 

to provide oversight of analysis on products.

“The mission dictates coordination among numerous entities and offi ces to accomplish the goal and without failure,” 

he said. “QARs negotiate within the greater Department 

of Defense and DLA, as well as with contractors, foreign 

governments and military offi cials.”

Regional quality teams also work with an outside organization to enhance their own skills, Lawson explained.

QARs seek Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act 

certifi cations through the Defense Acquisition University, 

Lawson said. DAU classes are needed for QARs to achieve 

their DAWIA Level I, II and III certifi cations.

“Professional improvement and development of QARs is a 

continuing cycle,” he said. “It includes certifi cation training and the full range of continuous learning activities.” 

Continuous learning activities include personal and professional growth accomplishments, resulting in improved 

professionalism and better contributions to the mission, 

Lawson said. The continuous process for on-the-job training of personnel is the most critical for commodity certifi -

cation.

A QAR’s knowledge doesn’t come from training alone, 

Lawson said. QARs come from a variety of backgrounds 

before they settle into their roles on the regional quality 

teams. 

“Most of them are prior military with a fuels background 
Warfighter Support Unsung Heroes

16 www.energy.dla.mil

They volunteer for six-month 

deployments, leaving behind 

their families, friends and 

homes for a war-torn Afghanistan. 

Assigned to remote and austere 

locations, contracting offi cer representatives provide observations and 

inspections in assessing ongoing fuel 

operations throughout the area of 

operation. The information they provide allows DLA Energy Middle East 

to create a comprehensive logistics 

analysis of operational needs, ensuring and supplying fuel to Operation 

Enduring Freedom. 

“They are the critical conduit between 

Defense Logistics Agency Energy’s 

contracting offi cers, our suppliers, our 

customers and the operational oversight from the Middle East region,” 

DLA Energy Middle East Commander 

Army Col. William Rush said. “The 

personnel who volunteer are simply 

phenomenal and the impact they provide in support of forces in Afghanistan is real-time, up close awareness 

and action to ensure we deliver on 

time and on specifi cation.”

DLA Energy has been deploying CORs 

to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom since December 2011.

“Since our CORs have been on the 

ground, we’ve seen a signifi cant improvement in variance, and discrepancies between loaded amounts and 

delivered amounts are down drastically,” Rush said. “Having CORs in 

Afghanistan provides critical eyes and 

ears forward.”

They ensure the suppliers are fulfi lling the terms of their contracts 

and customers are maintaining the 

required process discipline to accurately account for fuel delivered, 

he added. CORs also provide a DLA 

face-forward by showing customers 

the organization is on their team and 

squarely in the arena.

CORs who volunteer to go to Afghanistan come from diverse backgrounds 

and volunteer for different reasons.

Christine Coulter, a DLA Energy 

Inventory and Distribution division 

transportation management specialist, decided to go for the gusto while 

the opportunity was available.

“I am a grandmother, and I like to be 

a tad extreme,” she said.

For Eric Jensen, a project management analyst who has been with DLA 

Energy Manpower and Workforce 

Analysis for four years, it was an opportunity to give back.

“I wanted to do my part to help 

serve the warfi ghter,” Jensen said. “I 

never joined the military, but always 

respected and thought about doing so, 

so this was my way of helping.”

Coulter is nearing the end of her 

six-month rotational assignment as a 

DLA Energy Middle East contracting 

offi cer’s representative assigned to the 

U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, 

and serves as the COR on seven DLA 

Energy contingency contracts.

CORs face multiple challenges while 

deployed. One challenge in theater 

is security and the ability to travel to 

contractor sites. 

Preparing for a trip to a defense fuel 

support point requires planning and 

caution, Coulter explained. There are 

signifi cant risks whenever a civilian or 

military member leaves the forward 

operating base and travels to any part 

of Afghanistan. Contractors wear 

safety gear and are escorted by armed 

guards.

“I don’t take my risk lightly, particularly when I have to go out for monthly site visits to the DFSPs,” Coulter 

said. “Whenever going ‘outside the 

wire,’ we are required to be escorted 

by two armed personnel with at least 

one long rifl e.”

CORs travel in an armored vehicle 

through the congested city of Kabul, 

Coulter explained. Traffi c jams leave 

them vulnerable to anything, such as 

motorcycle drive-bys, the possibility 

of a bombing or being shot. 

“Thank God, neither of these instances has happened,” she added. “The 

roads we travel are patrolled with 

Afghan police, military personnel and 

even private security.” 

As a COR, Coulter meets with the 

contractors at the three DFSPs on a 

monthly basis to go over fuel receipts 

and equipment. She must verify that 

the contractor has performed the 

technical and management requirements of the contract in accordance 

with the required delivery schedule 

and performance work statement.

“No two visits are alike,” Coulter said.

One trip she may inspect the meters 

to verify calibration certifi cates, fi les, 

safety procedures, labs, fuel upload 

and downloads of trucks, and on 

another trip she may observe the contractor inspecting vehicles. 

The trips also allow the contractors to 

share their concerns, and Coulter tries 

to address the issue if it’s in her scope. 

W

By Irene Smith By Irene Smith

War zone contra ar zone contrac
Energy Source l July 2013 17

In another part of Afghanistan, Jensen handles transportation contracts 

in Bagram, and ensures fuel arrives 

on time and to the specifi cation of the 

customer.

“My job is to ensure all contracted 

trucks arrive at destination on time, 

with the proper product and in a 

truck that meets all specifi ed requirements,” he said. “My daily responsibilities are to make sure the proper 

amount is downloaded at the site and 

to fi nd out what the cause is of any 

discrepancies.”

Jensen said he also work closely with 

the contractor and FOB personnel on 

any issues that may come up. 

Jensen’s critical roles of are ensuring 

the correct amount of fuel is allocated 

and deterring fraud and theft. Challenges he encounters are making sure 

the FOB personnel enforce proper 

download procedures and ensuring 

the trucks are downloaded completely. 

“I travel to a number of sites to verify 

the trucks are in compliance, as well 

as ensure sites are using proper 

download techniques,” Jensen said. 

“Any issues with fuel will affect the 

military’s mission and that can’t happen. It is also important that we get 

the right amount of fuel and be aware 

of theft attempts to ensure DLA Energy is being fi scally responsible.”

Jensen is assigned to eight FOBs and 

travels frequently. 

He said traveling has given him a 

great respect and appreciation for 

what the warfi ghter does in a war 

zone.

“I have the usual concern for my 

safety, as anyone who is deployed to 

Afghanistan does,” he said. “Some 

FOBs are much worse than others 

and you just have to be aware at those 

locations, and all you can really do is 

make sure you listen to your convoy 

safety briefi ngs, know where your 

bunkers are and know what to do 

when something happens. Other than 

that it is out of your hands.”

Jensen said he travels a minimum of 

once a week to various FOBs and is 

gone two to three days at a time. One 

of the biggest challenges CORs face in 

country is the “FOB hop.” 

“The logistics of getting from one FOB 

to another can be challenging, especially in the winter when weather can 

cause delays, stranding CORs in passenger terminals for days, waiting for 

the bad weather to break,” he added.

Even with all the challenges CORs 

face, Coulter said she is very grateful to have had the opportunity to 

experience the various methods of 

transporting and storing fuel in the 

continental U.S. and in contingency 

locations.

“DLA Energy has afforded me the 

opportunity to expand beyond the 

cubicle,” she said. “This deployment 

has given me a better understanding 

of our mission to the troops as well as 

industry.”

acting

Christine Coulter, a 

DLA Energy contracting 

offi cer representative in 

Afghanistan, reviews 

receipts with a contractor 

in Kabul. CORs provide 

observations and 

inspections in assessing 

ongoing fuel operations 

throughout the area of 

operation. Courtesy photo
Energy

18 www.energy.dla.mil

Year after year, the Defense Logistics Agency Energy 

supports exercises with colorful names like Flintlock, Bright Star, Cobra Gold, Trident Fury, Cyber 

Storm II, Valiant Shield and Real Thaw, providing the 

opportunity for the services to accomplish a number of 

objectives. 

DLA Energy regional offi ces worldwide regularly support the service branches with fuel and personnel for the 

numerous exercises. 

“DLA Energy’s core mission is to support combatant command energy solutions globally,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. 

Giovanni Tuck, DLA Energy commander. “Whether supporting contingency operations, humanitarian assistance, 

disaster relief or exercises, we enable air, land, sea, space 

and cyberspace power.” 

Despite the current Department of Defense budgetary 

constraints, each calendar year DLA Energy provides 

training, qualifi ed personnel, logistical expertise and fuel 

support to the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force as 

they prepare for their annual training exercises. Depending on the nature of the exercise, this support is planned 

and coordinated with other federal agencies as well as 

partner nations in regions around the globe.

In February, DLA Energy Pacifi c provided 807,746 gallons 

of Into-plane contract fuel to be used in multinational 

aviation support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2013, held in 

Thailand. DLA Energy Pacifi c also provided 208,639 gallons of posts, camps and stations support to power ground 

and life support equipment during Cobra Gold. The 

equipment was used to erect fi ve multipurpose buildings 

supporting schools and local communities.

DLA Energy Pacifi c operations and exercise fuel operations offi cers established a forward area refueling point at 

Khorat, Thailand, to support 1st Marine Air Wing night 

operations. Engineering units also assisted in a road 

project that enhanced Thai training opportunities and 

provided realistic medical evacuation capabilities. 

“DLA Energy Pacifi c’s goal for exercise support is to enBy Terry Shawn y Terry Shawn

Exercise Suppor xercise Support
Energy Source l July 2013 July 2013 1919

rt

Australian airmen guide a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 

Hornet aircraft into position at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, 

during Exercise Cope North. DLA Energy Pacifi c provided fuel 

support to Defense Fuel Support Point Guam and Andersen Air 

Force Base for the annual two-week tri-lateral exercise with the 

Japanese, Australian and U.S. navies and air forces. DoD photo
Energy

20 www.energy.dla.mil

able [U.S.] Pacifi c Command’s theater security strategy 

from a fuel perspective. Wherever the warfi ghters are operating or exercising, they need energy, and it is our job to 

ensure it gets to where it is needed,” said Navy Capt. Kevin 

Henderson, then-DLA Energy Pacifi c commander. 

More than 8,000 Marines participated in this 32nd iteration of Cobra Gold, Feb. 11-21. The exercise is designed to 

advance regional security and build the capacity to effectively respond to regional crises with a multi-national 

force from nations sharing common goals and security 

commitments in the Asia-Pacifi c region.

DLA Energy Pacifi c provided fuel support to Defense 

Fuel Support Point Guam and Andersen Air Force Base 

for Exercise Cope North, an annual two week tri-lateral 

exercise with the Japanese, Australian and U.S. navies 

and air forces. More than 1,500 personnel and 60 aircraft 

participated in the exercise that kicked off Feb. 4. For the 

fi rst time, the Republic of Korea air force participated in 

the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief portion of 

the exercise. 

Two months later, DLA Energy Pacifi c provided fuel support for the 29th iteration of Exercise Balikatan held in the 

Philippines April 5-17. The exercise focuses on strengthening interoperability between the two World War II allies as 

well as their capability to respond with humanitarian aid 

in case of disasters. 

Due to budgetary cutbacks, the Marine Expeditionary 

Force canceled most aircraft operations for the exercise 

and focused on the Marine Aircraft Group 36 operations 

at Clark Air Base, Philippines. DLA Energy Pacifi c provided more than 571,000 gallons of Jet A fuel for the air 

operations of four MV-22 Ospreys, 12 F-18 Hornets and a 

KC-130 Hercules.

In addition to aviation fuel, DLA Energy Direct Delivery 

Fuels’ Ground Fuels divisions arranged for deliveries of 

more than 23,000 gallons of diesel fuel No. 2 to support 

ground operations during the exercise.

The Zambales province, with its ragged shoreline and a 

mountain range that occupies 60 percent of the total land 

area located north of the capital city of Manila, served as 

the host site of these ground operations that consisted of 

humanitarian civic assistance projects. 

“Some of the locations are rather austere, but the contracting team at headquarters and my operations team 

do a great job of fi nding solutions to challenging supply 

Army trucks line up at Fort Lee, Va., and prepare for a convoy 

to Fort A.P. Hill, Va., as part of the U.S. Army Reserves’ 

Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercise 2013. DLA Energy 

personnel contribute to the planning and execution of the petroleum 

and water transportation exercise. Courtesy photo
Energy Source l July 2013 21

chains,” Henderson said.

Troops in that region focused on 

medical, dental, veterinary and engineering civic action projects. Twelve 

thousand Filipinos are estimated to 

benefi t from these projects, according 

to news reports.

On the other side of the globe, DLA 

Energy Europe and Africa regional 

offi ces supported Southern Accord, 

a joint exercise intended to enhance 

U.S. and African forces’ capabilities in 

the areas of humanitarian and disaster relief operations, peacekeeping operations and aeromedical evacuation 

in sub-Saharan Africa.

The 2012 exercise took place in the 

Republic of Botswana Aug. 1-17, with 

more than 1,200 military personnel 

from Botswana and the United States 

attending the opening ceremony. 

The exercise, led by U.S. Army Africa, 

but involving members of the U.S. 

Air Force and Marine Corps, involved 

approximately 700 Botswana Defense 

Force members and 700 American 

military personnel, and took place on 

and around Thebephatshwa Air Base.

DLA Energy Europe and Africa operations center personnel ensured the 

existing contracts were in place to 

provide locally delivered fuel as well 

as Into-plane fuel for the aircraft 

bringing in troops so it could be refueled and fl own back out.

“It is important that DLA Energy supports the warfi ghter, regardless of real 

world or exercises, because we ‘fuel 

the fi ght,’” said U.S. Air Force Capt. 

Juan Fiol, DLA Energy Europe and 

Africa operations offi cer. “In today’s 

military, we cannot operate without 

fuel. Regardless of where the military 

is operating, there is still a need for 

fuel for vehicles and/or generators.”

Each phase of the exercise is aimed to 

enhance the interoperability between 

the U.S. military and Botswana Defense Forces. 

The ultimate goal was increased 

cooperation, which will, in turn, increase stability and security across the 

continent, according to the U.S. Africa 

Command website.

“DLA Energy is a strategic enabler for 

the combatant commander supporting these exercises,” said Army Col. 

Robert Weaver, DLA Energy Europe 

and Africa commander. “We are able 

to capitalize on our 

global petroleum 

supply chain to ensure we are meeting 

the requirements 

for these exercises, 

and extend the 

reach of the forces 

by increasing their 

fl exibility with 

timely and responsive support, while 

minimizing their 

logistics footprint.”

In the continental U.S., DLA Energy 

Americas supported the U.S. Army 

Reserves’ Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercise, or QLLEX, in June. 

The exercise, one of the largest Armywide petroleum and water transportation exercises, is coordinated by the 

475th Quartermaster Group from 

Farrell, Pa., which provided mission 

command for QLLEX-13.

QLLEX started 32 years ago as the 

Petroleum Oil and Lubricant Exercise, or POLEX, and was transformed 

into QLLEX in 2004. QLLEX has 

become more of a multiechelon, 

multicomponent, multifunctional and 

multiservice exercise. 

No other CONUS-based exercise provides such a broad suite of real-world 

training opportunities for soldiers, 

according to the Army Logistics University bi-monthly publication, Army 

Sustainment.

QLLEX-13 was conducted on both 

coasts of the U.S. in Virginia and California at various locations and their 

defense fuel support points – Fort 

AP Hill, DFSP Fort Lee, Fort Pickett 

and DFSP Yorktown, Va.; Fort Bragg, 

A soldier prepares for the start of QLLEX 2013 at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., by helping construct a 100,000 gallon 

fuel farm. QLLEX is one of the many military exercises DLA Energy personnel support. Photo by Army 

Capt. Jeffrey Gruidl
Energy

22 www.energy.dla.mil

N.C.; and DFSP Selma, Camp Pendleton and DFSP San Pedro, Calif.

Approximately 2,000 Army Reserve soldiers honed their skills as 

fuel transporters and the U.S. Army 

Quartermaster School’s Petroleum 

and Water Department instructors received practical experience supplying 

the multiagency exercise. An estimated 200 Army trucks were involved. 

Last year, QLLEX-12 trained more 

than 1,700 soldiers and approximately 

125 trucks delivered nearly 3 million gallons of fuel from defense fuel 

support points and fuel system supply 

points to DLA Energy customer locations.

The distribution and quality teams 

from DLA Energy Americas at Houston and San Pedro worked with the 

U.S. Army to coordinate DFSPs and 

DLA Energy customer activities into 

QLLEX and ensure tank trucks were 

suitable to load and maintain the 

quality of fuel delivered by providing 

quality inspection checklists for truck 

pre-inspections, explained Gregory 

Knowles, DLA Energy liaison offi cer 

to U.S. Northern Command at DLA 

Energy Americas at Houston.

 The teams provided operational 

briefi ngs, training for liaison detachments and addressed specifi c 

concerns for the exercise during 

mid-planning and fi nal-planning 

workshops, Knowles added.

“QLLEX enables DLA Energy and 

Army bulk petroleum units the 

strategic and operational connection for training and exercising bulk 

petroleum distribution support to the 

services, in both wartime and our key 

mission of defense support to civil 

authorities in the Americas area of 

responsibility,” said Army Col. Ron 

Ross, DLA Energy Americas commander. 

DLA Energy partnered with DLA 

Joint Reserve Force during the planning process to coordinate DLA Joint 

Forces annual training requirements 

for reservists who train with DLA 

Energy Americas during QLLEX. The 

partnership also provided hands-on 

training for the reservists to enhance 

the ability of DLA to respond to either 

man-made or natural contingency 

scenarios.

David DeHoge, DLA Energy Americas at Houston inventory manager 

specialist, said the exercise is also 

valuable to the organization’s customU.S. Marines and Royal Thai Marines construct a classroom during Exercise Cobra Gold 2013 in Thailand. DLA Energy provided more than 200,

support during the joint military exercise. Photo by Marine Sgt. Matthew Troyer
Energy Source l July 2013 23

ers and partners. 

“In the event of a real-world emergencies DLA Energy and our service customers will have already worked and 

exercised with each other and know 

their capabilities and limitations, and 

feel comfortable working together,” 

DeHoge said.

More than 7,000 miles from Houston, 

DLA Energy Middle East personnel 

will participate in Bright Star, a biennial, multinational exercise designed 

to strengthen military-to-military 

interactions and improve readiness 

and interoperability between U.S., 

Egyptian and coalition forces. 

“Quality assurance support for Exercise Bright Star allows DLA Energy 

Middle East to sustain key working relationships with the Egyptian 

Ministry of Defense,” said Army Col. 

William Rush, DLA Energy Middle 

East commander.

DLA Energy, under a newly negotiated memorandum of agreement with 

DLA and Egypt, provides bulk and 

ground fuels to multiple sites in support of exercise operations.

DLA Energy Middle East’s main 

reason for being in the exercise is to 

make sure the military units have 

clean, dry and on-specifi cation fuel 

delivered from the Egyptians refi neries or terminals during the exercise, 

said Jeffrey Feltner, DLA Energy 

Middle East quality manager.

“The [Egyptian] defense ministry 

coordinates our fuel support from 

several suppliers and our quality 

assurance specialists are there to 

ensure U.S. forces participating in the 

exercise receive quality product and 

services,” Rush said. 

 This exercise, to run from Sept. 15 

to Nov. 5, includes military forces 

from the U.S., Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, 

Kuwait, Greece, Italy, Germany, Great 

Britain, France and Pakistan. The service members from France, Germany, 

Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Turkey and the United Kingdom 

train with Americans and Egyptians 

to develop, refi ne and improve interoperability in this region.

“It’s just a great opportunity to build 

relationships and support military 

cooperation,” Rush said.

During this event, one of the largest 

exercises supported, the DLA Energy Middle East quality manager or 

quality assurance representatives and 

international agreements representatives are sent to perform site surveys 

at the locations to be used during the 

exercise, Feltner explained.

“The locations have to be assessed 

for capabilities, fuel facilities, quality 

control facilities, aviation and ground 

fuel servicing equipment and storage systems. The 

systems are looked 

at for the military’s 

equipment and 

compatibility issues,” Feltner said. 

The useable and 

defi cient items 

are reported in a trip report, so the 

personnel in charge of the exercise or 

planners can have these items corrected or schedule to bring in equipment to work around the defi ciencies, 

he continued. 

The QARs will be deployed about a 

week before the exercise begins in 

order to go to the main sites and work 

or setup, Feltner explained.

Another ongoing task the QARs assist 

with is reconciliation. 

The QARs will work closely with the 

military units on the ground, helping 

them get the invoices and reconciliation done in a timely manner, Feltner 

said. 

“There has to be account reconciliation and invoices processed to pay for 

the fuel delivered and serviced to the 

military because the Egyptians will 

not allow you to leave any leftover fuel 

on the ground or in the facilities, and 

they want to get paid in a timely manner,” he added.

The organization’s regional support 

for COCOM exercises is pivotal to the 

success of “train as you fi ght,” Tuck 

said. DLA Energy’s contracting arm, 

our core competency, ensures our 

region’s guarantee success.

Months of planning goes into each of 

these exercises. The planning for Exercise Bright Star began in fall 2012. 

“We couldn’t be more joint, more 

integrated and more in sync with 

our COCOM partners,” Tuck said. 

“If there are any doubts, try fi ghting 

without us.” 

than 200,000 gallons of fuel to power ground and life 
Energy

24 www.energy.dla.mil

The Military Sealift Command-chartered tanker ship MV Maersk Peary provides Defense Logistics Agency Energy-procured 

fuel to the National Science Foundation-chartered scientifi c-research vessel R/V Nathanial B. Palmer at McMurdo Station ice 

pier. Maersk Peary is in Antarctica offl oading fuel in support of the annual Operation Deep Freeze Antarctica resupply mission 

and will supply 100 percent of fuel needed for the upcoming year. Photo by Larry Larsson

24 www.energy.dla.mil ww.energy.dla.mil
Energy Source l July 2013 25

When it comes to refueling missions, the 

Defense Logistics Agency Energy is willing 

to go to the ends of the earth to support 

the customer, or in one case, the poles.

DLA Energy supports Operation Deep Freeze, which 

takes advantage of the Southern Hemisphere’s 

summer to annually deliver fuel and supplies to U.S. 

research stations in Antarctica through Military Sealift 

Command.

i hi h

Refueling the Antarctic efueling the Antarctic

By Christopher Goulait

Energy Source nergy Source lJuly 2013 July 2013 25
Energy

26 www.energy.dla.mil

“Operation Deep Freeze is a very critical mission for 

the people who live and work on Antarctica,” said Navy 

Capt. Sylvester Moore, commander of MSC Pacific. 

“Without this resupply mission, all operations in 

Antarctica would end, and the scientific community 

would lose the opportunity to conduct research and 

study not only the continent of Antarctica, but its 

impact on our global climate.”

More than 6 million gallons of fuels were delivered 

to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in support of those 

operations during this season’s fuel off loading 

beginning Feb. 10, said Richard Knapp, quality 

assurance specialist with DLA Energy.

For this year’s operation, MSC personnel reported a 

success.

“The tanker portion went very well; there was great 

cooperation with the icebreaker and cargo [operations] 

went off without a hitch,” said John Joerger, tanker 

project officer at MSC headquarters. “We had no 

weather delays, which meant that the tanker was in 

and out rapidly and did not impede the dry cargo 

operations.”

Fuels delivered during the 2012–2013 refueling 

mission included mid-grade unleaded gasoline, marine 

gas oil and two grades of kerosene-based aviation 

turbine fuel: JP5 and AN8, all meant for use in 

extreme cold weather conditions.

Knapp explained each fuel was specifically chosen for 

Antarctic use.

The gasoline required by contract was Class E5, the 

highest volatility classification. Aviation turbine fuel 

grade JP5 has a high flash point limit, a minimum 

60 degrees Fahrenheit, making for safer handling 

on carriers and other vessels. The aviation turbine 

fuel grade AN8 is a specific arctic grade with a lower 

freezing point and properties that ensure product will 

flow at extremely low temperatures for uninterrupted 

aviation and heating purposes. That performance 

property is crucial for flights into South Pole Station 

and activity there during winter no-fly conditions, 

Knapp said.

“For DLA Energy, the remote locations and cold 

operating conditions of the Antarctic dictate the 

procurement process,” Knapp said.

That process takes place more than a year in advance 

of the shipment. Bids are normally solicited in 

September for a delivery window of Dec. 1 – Jan. 31 of 

the following year, plus a 30-day carry-over period, he 

said.

“This represents the optimum time to avoid a literal 

deep freeze,” Knapp said.

On this most recent operation, DLA Energy awarded 

the contract to a Greek contractor who supplied the 

fuels. Fuel pumping at origin finished Dec. 28 as 

DLA Energy Europe and Africa quality assurance 

representatives provided on-site quality assurance 

for the cargo, Knapp said. QARs also accepted the 

shipment for MSC’s time-chartered motor tanker 

Maersk Peary.

But the delivery process as a whole involves much 

more than that, Knapp explained.

“To get the only annual shipment of fuel from Western 

Europe to Antarctica and McMurdo Station’s ice pier, 

MSC vessels follow a route that can involve some of the 

worst sea conditions and hazards that exist anywhere,” 

Knapp said.

He explained the weeks at sea that are needed to make 

the delivery are filled with unpredictable and harsh 

weather, along with increased hazards from floating 

ice. While the region is most accessible in January and 

A New York Air National Guard LC-130 Hercules unloads DLA Energy-proc

supplies to remote locations throughout the Antarctic continent. Photo by Air 
Energy Source l July 2013 27

February, the last 17 miles of the journey still need ice 

breaker ships to create a channel through the ice shelf.

“Expert navigation and cooperation between ice 

breaker, tanker and freighter are required,” Knapp 

said.

The shipment is offloaded by members of MSC flown 

in ahead of the ships’ arrival to McMurdo. Cargo 

operations officers and Navy personnel provide 

support during the delivery, though the overall 

responsibility for Deep Freeze belongs to the Air 

Force-led task force to direct both the air and sea 

components. Once the MSC-delivered cargoes arrive 

at McMurdo Station, the Air Force takes over, Knapp 

said.

With more than 50 years of refueling missions, these 

literal and figurative Antarctic waters aren’t exactly 

uncharted, Knapp explained.

“This annual resupply to U.S. research stations in 

Antarctica was first established for the 1955-1956 

season and represented a build-up of capabilities 

to allow continued scientific study by the National 

Science Foundation,” he said.

The construction mission was tasked to the Navy, 

which led its own expeditions in the region since 1839, 

Knapp said. The Navy established its Little America I 

base in 1929 to allow its occupants to “winter over” and 

explore farther into the continent, leading to eventual 

establishment of the more permanent McMurdo and 

Amundsen South Pole Station camps.

The first petroleum support provided as a part of Deep 

Freeze between 1955 and 1956 was a combination of 

packaged products with bulk shipments of arctic-grade 

diesel and aviation gasoline, Knapp said. 

“A construction battalion center at Davisville, R.I., 

loaded the USS Wyantdot with more than 840,000 

gallons of diesel fuel mostly in 55 gallon drums bound 

for Antarctica,” Knapp said. “While above-ground 

storage tanks were being built by U.S. Navy Seabees, 

static storage was created by allowing two fuel vessels 

to freeze in the ice off shore: the tanker Nespeien and 

U.S. Navy oiler YOG-34 supplied that bulk petroleum. 

On land, a pipeline was constructed using flexible 

hoses to deliver product from the tankers to fill the 

new tank farm.”

The process changed to allow for more practical and 

economical delivery of the large amounts of fuel via 

tanker cargo ship when MSC provided the tankers 

in the 1980s, Knapp said. These double-hulled ships 

could hold nearly 10 million gallons of different fuels 

separated during the trip to ensure quality.

From the historic 55 gallon drum to today’s transport 

via tanker and distribution of fuel and supplies to even 

more remote stations by air and over the snow, each 

successful delivery provides uninterrupted research 

operations through the year until the next Deep Freeze 

operation ramps up, Knapp said.

nergy-procured fuel supplied during a prior annual Operation Deep Freeze Antarctic refueling mission. The aircraft is used to deliver fuel and 

oto by Air Force Master Sgt. Efrain Gonzalez
28 www.energy.dla.mil

We Are DLA e Are DLA

Hardly a month goes by when Defense 

Logistics Agency Pacific employees are not 

supporting training exercises in which U.S. 

troops simulate full-scale war. 

DLA’s response would be massive if the United States 

became engaged in military action in the Pacific 

region, said Marine Lt. Col. Stephanie King, chief of 

the DLA Pacific Logistics Operations Center. 

“We’d have a lot more folks coming into theater who’d 

require sustainment support, so requisitions would be 

dropped at a rapid rate. All of DLA would be hustling 

to provide supplies, everything from food to fuel,” King 

said. 

More than 1,250 military and civilian employees make 

up DLA Pacific, with forward locations in Hawaii, 

Alaska, Japan, Korea, Guam, Okinawa, Singapore and 

Thailand. The sheer size of the Pacific region, which 

covers 52 percent of the globe, makes DLA’s mission 

there unique and sometimes challenging, DLA Pacific 

Commander Army Col. Joe Arnold said. DLA Troop 

Support employees in Guam are 14 hours ahead of 

their counterparts in Philadelphia, for example. 

“We don’t have the luxury of telling customers we can’t 

give them answers on critical logistics support until 

tomorrow because everybody in Philadelphia has gone 

home,” he said. 

DLA works to stay ahead of customer requirements 

by placing employees with key commands and staff. 

A DLA liaison is assigned to headquarters staffs with 

U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Forces Korea and U.S. 

Forces Japan. Warfighter support reps are also colocated with major units such as the Navy’s U.S. Fleet 

Activities Yokosuka, Japan, and U.S. Army Garrison 

Yongsan, South Korea, to meet service members’ most 

immediate needs.

“Our WSRs and LNOs aren’t just what we used to 

call ‘part chasers,’” said Andrew Drake, DLA Pacific 

Logistics Operations Center deputy chief. 

Those team members have to know the operational 

plans and contingency plans for their respective 

region and are involved in operations planning, 

exercises and daily staff meetings. And as military 

customers increasingly rely on DLA to help forecast 

what they need, how much and where, Drake said 

LNOs and WSRs have become responsible for picking 

up information and intelligence that customers don’t 

ordinarily relay to logisticians.

“That’s a key piece, because sometimes the services 

don’t know what details they need to share with us 

in order for us to better meet their requirements,” he 

added.

Exercise support makes up a large chunk of DLA 

Pacific’s mission. While a DLA support team 

participates in about 10 major PACOM exercises 

each year, such as Key Resolve in South Korea 

and Terminal Fury in Hawaii, primary-level field 

activity representatives are busy supporting about 30 

additional exercises run by each branch of the service, 

as well as special operations forces.

By Beth Reece, DLA Public Affairs
Energy Source l July 2013 29

Many of the exercises are held 

annually, but the logistics support 

plans continually change due to 

frequently changing scenarios and 

the high turnover rate of military 

members stationed throughout the 

Pacific, Drake said. DLA participates 

in planning conferences for each 

exercise, but getting customers to 

identify their requirements well in 

advance can be difficult.

“Each year we find ourselves helping 

to shape the customers’ requirements 

because we know what they need more 

than they do,” King added. “But that’s 

what we’re here for; we’re here to 

support them.” 

DLA also strives to keep customers’ 

costs down.

“If we’re shipping containers of 

[meals, ready-to-eat] to some location 

where we don’t normally have a 

presence, we can save them a lot of 

money by sending them on a ship well 

ahead of time rather than flying them 

in at the last minute,” Drake said. 

Meanwhile, the military footprint in 

the Pacific is evolving. Current defense 

strategy calls for a rebalancing of the 

U.S. security presence throughout the 

region. Details are still being finalized, 

but former Defense Secretary Leon 

Panetta told defense reporters in 

November 2012 that officials are 

considering a 60-40 split among 

Navy ships in the Pacific and Atlantic 

oceans. 

“The goal for DLA is to stay plugged 

in with customers to ensure we’re 

postured to meet their readiness 

requirements,” Arnold said, adding 

that he expects an increased presence 

of troops in the region to be driven 

Landing Craft Utility 1631 approaches the USS Bonhomme Richard in the Pacifi c Ocean 

near Okinawa, Japan. Photo by Navy Petty Offi cer Second Class Adam Bennett
30 www.energy.dla.mil

We Are DLA e Are DLA

Sailors aboard an aircraft carrier perform maintenance on the ship’s fl ight deck fi refi ghting system while under way in the Pacifi c 

Ocean. Photo by Navy Petty Offi cer Third Class Robert Winn

primarily by increased exercises.

The Marine Corps is working to gradually boost 

its presence in Australia by sending units there on 

rotational deployments. Anticipating troops’ demand 

for fresh food, DLA Troop Support has started 

conducting market research that will eventually lead 

to subsistence contracts, King said. 

Senior leaders have also asked that DLA evaluate 

what it stocks and where to ensure the right items 

are on shelves where they’re most needed, Arnold 

added. DLA Distribution is working to ensure it has 

the capacity to support the relocation of about 5,000 

Marines to Guam, for example. And in Hawaii, DLA 

employees are looking for ways to reduce inventory 

and get out of warehouses that need costly repairs.

“We’re really taking a hard look at cleaning out 

the attic with help from DLA Headquarters to rid 

ourselves of dormant stock that hasn’t had a demand 

in years,” he said. 

The changes make now a good time to be a member of 

DLA Pacific, Drake and Arnold agreed.

“I don’t know too many positions in the United States 

where you have to be knowledgeable about all of DLA’s 

services and be capable of touting that to customers. 

I’m continually learning all the time,” Drake said. 

Marines load evacuees aboard a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter 

during a mock noncombatant evacuation operation at Camp 

Hansen, Japan. Photo by Marine Cpl. Garry Welch
Job: I conduct 

 monthly contractor site 

visits in Kabul, 

Afghanistan. 

Some of my duties involve verifying meter calibrations, reviewing 

contractors’ fi les 

and observing uploading or downloading of 

fuel at the defense fuel 

support points. I also monitor and evaluate contractor per- formance, report defi ciencies in contract 

performance or in other instances on noncompliance with contract terms and conditions. I serve 

as the liaison on technical matters and review and certifying contractors’ invoices and reports.

Energy experience: nergy experience: DLA Energy has afforded me the opportunity to expand 

beyond the cubicle, and enabled me to better understand our mission to the troops 

as well as industry. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to experience the 

various methods of transporting and storing fuel in the continental United States 

and in contingency locations. I would encourage all to branch out of their comfort 

zone and enhance their knowledge and see how vital our work is and how what we 

do impacts the warfi ghters and sovereign countries.

Challenges and rewards of the job: hallenges and rewards of the job: Communication is a challenge. Although 

most of our contractors’ leadership speak English, it is still diffi cult for them to understand me and for me to understand them. I fi nd actually being able to see the 

love that the Afghanistan community has for their country and each other. I enjoy 

seeing their affection toward one another and to know that hopefully, my being 

here will make a difference. 

A memorable mission: memorable mission: Being deployed is my most memorable mission. Although I had the honor of serving in the Air Force, I never have experienced anything like this deployment. I’ve never gone camping and I never experienced 

spending the night in a tent. I am not a thrill seeker, but I must say this mission 

encompasses it all - lots of adventure.

Future Plans: uture Plans: I will continue to grow and learn in the acquisition fi eld of transportation and logistics. I want to be known as the “go to person” in my fi eld, 

whether it be as a subject matter expert or manager.

Christine Coulter

DLA Energy Contracting 

Offi cer Representative at the 

U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan

One Face

31

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Energy Source l July 2013 

Ch i ti C lt

The face of the Defense Logistics Agency Energy... he face of the Defense Logistics Agency Energy...
at www.dla.energy.mil t www.dla.energy.mil

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