Fuel spill exercise train Airmen to protect, preserve environment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Water and fuels system maintenance Airmen, along with emergency responders and bioenvironmental engineering technicians, recently took part in a large-scale 4.2-million gallon fuel spill exercise. 

The exercise is a Federal requirement conducted tri-annually to train and prepare fuels management and emergency services personnel in minimizing the environmental impact of a worst-case scenario spill and in protecting and preserving public health and safety from its effects.

"The focus is very much about how we respond in an emergency situation; the notification system will spark a chain reaction of all base agencies required for a fuel spill," said Senior Master Sgt. Dana Spilinek, the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron superintendent. "Fuel is toxic to water, soil and animals, so we must ensure we are good stewards of the environment by responding quickly, minimizing the spread, and getting it cleaned up quickly."

The exercise simulated a malfunction of the largest fuel tank on the base's tank farm, which holds an estimated 4.2-million gallons of fuel, enough to overtake the gravel berm surrounding the tank and cause massive waves of fuel to flow out into the soil and nearby water sources.

Immediately following a spill, the goal of water and fuels system maintenance Airmen is to protect the environment from the damaging effects of a fuel spill and get it cleaned up as quickly as possible.

"We get to work immediately to contain the fuel, constructing berms and preparing pumps and vacuum hoses that will pick up the fuel from the ground, " said Alan Simmons, the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron base spill manager. "The pumps and vacuums can suction about 6,000 gallons an hour. Once it has been retrieved, it goes into an underground holding tank until it can be carried away to test it for water and soil removal."

With Northern Edge in full swing, the exercise came at a good time, said Spilinek. It provides critical training should a spill occur during high-speed operations and with twice the number of aircraft on the installation. 

"This is an opportunity to practice good interoperability between base agencies like fuels, first responders and bioenvironmental," Simmons said. "Improving our emergency communication skills during a busy flying schedule is very good training because that is much more like what could occur in a real-world scenario."

Eielson is well-equipped to handle any fuel spill from a few gallons to millions of gallons. Expertise from managers like Simmons promotes a clean, safe environment, while keeping jets filled with gas and ready to fly.

"The true key to protecting the environment is to keep fuel from spreading by getting it stabilized as quickly as possible and then get it cleaned up right away," said Simmons. "During Northern Edge, the operational tempo is fast and makes it a little more difficult so practicing this week in case of a real spill keeps everyone sharp."