Yokota Airmen help prepare Sailors for refuels

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Owsianka
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  Airmen fuelers from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron provided essential training on the R-11 refueling trucks to Sailors from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, at Yokota Air Base Jan. 25-29.

The training allowed members to prepare to support Navy aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during exercise Cope North.

"The training they receive is important because they will be using our refueling trucks as they provide fuel to their aircraft," said Senior Airman Tyler Sims, a 374th LRS Fuels Management Flight fuels training supervisor. "We prepared them for any potential tasks they will need to perform."

The Navy personnel who received training on the R-11 refueling trucks learned how to drive, service aircraft, perform minor maintenance, and how to check fuel samples with the vehicle.

"It is imperative for us to learn how to operate the vehicles because it will ensure our readiness is where it needs to be and help us effectively complete our mission," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Fakhoury, a NAF Atsugi Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron administrative assistant. "This course has been great because I have learned more mechanical knowledge on the trucks."

Working alongside Air Force personnel has provided the Navy personnel with more than just a better understanding of how to operate a refueling truck.

"Working together with different military branches helps build camaraderie between our sister services, making it easier to work with each other towards the same goal," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary Danford, a NAF Atsugi Carrier AEWS aviation electrician. "The training has also helped us learn about different Air Force customs and courtesies that we are not used to in the Navy. This will help us work more effectively in future missions."

The fuels Airmen provided necessary knowledge and training to the Navy personnel during the weeklong event. The course was not only important for the Sailors to learn how to properly complete missions using the R-11 refueling truck, it also helped build teamwork and promoted camaraderie between sister branches.

After the Navy members completed their training, they went back to their home station and began preparation for exercise Cope North.

Exercise Cope North began in 1978 when it was first hosted at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Having more than three decades of multilateral training has ensured team Yokota AB, along with its allies, are ready for contingency and humanitarian operations at a moment's notice. The exercise is designed to enhance each countries air operations. Additionally, the exercise includes humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training objectives.