Team McGuire hosts AFPET team

Published April 13, 2007
By Airman Rebekah Phy
305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Team McGuire recently hosted the Headquarters Air Force Petroleum team here.

McGuire AFB has been chosen to test a new piece of equipment to help save time, energy and money as part of recently being selected as a test base for the new energy initiatives pilot test program. The AFPET team was here to observe the new equipment.

"We're here to commission the testing of this new technology for a six-month trial period," said Mr. Jack Lavin, Air Force Petroleum Agency deputy director. "We've brought a staff of engineers and fuels systems technicians to observe, including Mr. Mike Giroux, AFPET director of operations, Mr. Bud Doll, AFPET chief engineer, and Chief Master Sgt. Joey Hudgins, Air Mobility Command senior enlisted manager.

"This is going to fall in line with the energy initiatives pilot test program and Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century," Mr. Lavin said.

The new device by Rampmaster, named the "Regenerator," is the refueling industry's newest aircraft refueling servicing cart. It is mobile and operates using the electricity generated from the fuel it pumps. It is a self-propelled electrical design, powered by four maintenance free batteries that are kept charged by the "Regenerator" issuing fuel.

"Our goal is to save about 22 and-a-half pounds of carbon for every gallon of fuel not burned," said Robert Watkins, Jr., Rampmaster chairman and CEO.

Mr. Watkins said there are three main benefits for the Air Force from the Regenerator.

"First of all, there are zero EPA emissions for this machine," he said. "By eliminating the truck that normally carries the apparatus, you create a unit that is much lighter also. And the third benefit is eliminating the fire hazard while refueling, since there are no hot mufflers or manifolds."

Some of the Airmen who work with the new machine seem to agree with the benefits so far.

"The Air Force is taking steps toward becoming more environmentally-friendly," said Senior Airman Robert Kervin, 305th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator. "This machine is electric, requires no fuel and eliminates fire hazards. Overall, I think this will be a benefit to Team McGuire and the Air Force."

"This machine saves about 30 percent in total cost compared to the current refueling units, the R-12s," said Senior Airman Lewis Anderson, 305th LRS fuels preventative maintenance. "The Regenerator has no engine or transmission so it cuts down on manning and there's no chassis work. It's an electric vehicle you don't have to plug in, and the turbines in the fuel charge it as they spin -- it doesn't consume energy; it conserves and produces energy," he said.

Team McGuire is scheduled to have the Regenerator for a six-month trial period. Those who work with the machine will document all findings, positive and negative, and report them to the AFPET team and Rampmaster.

"Over the next few months we will do all we can to validate the equipment's advertised benefits and maybe even identify a few improvement areas," said Master Sgt. Michael Downs, 305th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight chief. "Time will tell if this equipment is ready for Air Force procurement."

The AFPET team and Air Mobility Command will work collectively to determine the Regenerator's usability in Air Force ground refueling operations and what modifications may be necessary to meet military specifications.