Airmen help fliers breathe easier

  • Published
  • By Lanorris Askew
  • Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  Fuels specialists in the 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s liquid oxygen station here have the coolest job on base. It is so cool in fact it is boiling hot.

Tasked with the job of storing liquid oxygen, which in its normal state is 297 degrees below zero, the airmen must stay on their toes, or they could very well lose them.

Dressed in white coveralls, facemasks, ear shields and thick leather aprons, they are protected from the LOX, and the LOX is protected from them.

"Jet fuel and LOX don't mix," said Billy Arnett, fuels specialist. "We have to make sure there is no fuel on our boots or clothes or there could be an explosion."

With the same precaution in mind, Arnett explained that placing any object inside the volatile liquid would cause it to freeze immediately, leaving little room for mistakes for those who handle it.

"This stuff is so cold that it boils," Arnett said. "It would be like hot grease hitting your skin."

Although it can be dangerous if handled improperly, LOX is the same life-giving gas that surges through to aviators when they lose pressure or have other in-flight emergencies.

"Liquid oxygen is used for breathing purposes," said Willie Harris, fuels flight chief. "We are responsible for receiving and storing liquid oxygen for the maintenance organizations here on base. They in turn put it onto the various aircraft."

Staff Sgt. David Humphrey, noncommissioned officer in charge of fuels hydrants, said once received, the LOX is stored in 2,000- and 3,000-gallon tanks at two LOX stations and is frequently monitored to prevent contamination and to ensure safe use.

Daily sampling is the primary method to ensure contamination does not occur. According to Humphrey, during the handling and transfer of LOX, environmental contaminants must not enter the system, and it must retain a 99.5-percent purity rating.

"We take a sample of the LOX every day to detect … contamination," he said.

When not contaminated, LOX is colorless and odorless.

Every 90 days a sample is forwarded to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to be further tested.

"At Wright-Patterson, the LOX undergoes a full specification analysis where it is tested for odor, particulates or other constituents in the liquid," Humphrey said.

The LOX is transported to an aircraft via 50-gallon LOX carts, which are filled from the larger tanks.

Senior Airman Ryan Bonnell, with aerospace ground maintenance, picks up and delivers LOX carts. Before he begins, he must perform an inspection of the cart's chassis and wheels and ensure none of the tanks have dents.

"When we tow them, we make sure all of the hoses are secure and all vent valves are closed," Bonnel said. "This is especially important because the carts are transported over asphalt where grease and other particulates could cause a fire or small explosion if mixed with the LOX."

The carts are hauled at slow speed by a bobtail truck, which is the typical flightline mover.

“Once the carts are filled they are out of our hands," Humphrey said. "When we are done, the maintenance side takes over."

When an aircraft needs a refill of LOX, a specially trained team of two dons white coveralls, face shields and aprons and gets to work.

Staff Sgt. Brian Holloman, 116th Air Control Wing crew chief, said the LOX content is checked and verified before each flight. That ensures there is sufficient LOX to get through the flight.

When it is time to refill the tank there are certain safety steps that must be followed.

"First we have to inspect all of our safety equipment thoroughly," he said.

Next they suit up, check technical data on aircraft, connect hoses, watch gauges and then wait.

The JSTARS LOX tank holds 75 liters, but it varies by aircraft. Service time also varies by the initial amount in the tank. According to Haughton, a completely purged tank could take up to two hours to fill.

Just as with those who store the volatile liquid, extreme care must be taken by those who put it on the planes.

"Everything must be kept really clean in order to prevent fires," said Staff Sgt. Dave Houghtaling, an Air National Guard technician. "Half of the time is preparation and waiting."

Having an interesting job is one thing, but having a job that ultimately saves lives is another all together. Those who work with LOX are able to combine the two in a job that makes going to work the coolest of all experiences.