Sand Sharks fuel Marines with support

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma are in the hot zone, fueling aircrafts from the flight line.

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 "Sand Sharks," Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, are working together to increase air combat effectiveness.

"The main purpose of the hot pits is to make sure the birds land, get refueled quickly and leave to complete their missions supporting the Marines in combat or transferring supplies," said Cpl. Michael Nagy, a bulk fuel specialist with the Sand Sharks.

The Sand Sharks' bulk fuel Marines are responsible for refueling all MAG-40 aircrafts that come through their pits.

"Our mission out here is to make sure we are getting fuel to the AH-1W Super Cobras, UH-1N Hueys, CH-53D Sea Stallions and CH-53E Super Stallions; basically anything that comes in to our pits, we refuel," said Cpl. David Brach, another Sand Shark bulk fuel specialist.

When an aircraft need to be refueled, but time is not critical, the Marines use a cold-fuel process. This is similar to a way a person fuels a car. Gravity is used to move the fuel from the tank to the aircraft and, it is a slower process.

The other process used is hot-fuel, which is a pressurized fueling process that forces fuel into the aircraft and is used when the aircraft cannot afford to spend much time refueling.

The bulk fuel specialists have to be ready at a moment's notice, in case a troops-in-contact alert goes out, in which the Marines have to rush to the forward air refueling points and prepare to refuel all aircraft supporting those ground troops.

"When TICs occur, we have to make sure that our Cobras and Hueys are fueled up, ready to go support the fight and save lives," said Brach, a native of East Dundee, Ill. "When they come back from a mission, [we] refuel them so they can return to the fight as quickly as possible."

The Sand Sharks are the support squadron for MAG-40, and when it comes down to it, they do everything they can to contribute to MEB-A's ability to accomplish its mission in supporting International Security Assistance Force troops.

"We ended up building this airfield to make sure that the MEB can execute more operations," said Brach. "Additionally, we support with ground fuel and really anything they need, we try and help in any way we can."

Sand Sharks worked day and night over the past five months to complete the massive expeditionary airfield expansion project by July 5, including assistance by Sand Shark bulk fuel specialists.

"With some of our Marines on security, some here fueling and all of us contributing to slamming the mat for the airfield, our mission is the same - to support the troops on the ground," said Nagy, native of Camden, Ind. "Overall, I think we've played a major role for the MEB, making sure the ground Marines have the air support they need."

These Marines from MCAS Yuma continue to stay motivated mainly because they prefer to be here rather than in garrison.

"I enjoy the tempo," Brach added. "Everything out here is nit-picky and tedious. Everyone has to know their job, know their billet, know where they have to be and what they have to do and ultimately, work as a team."

As the temperature continues to rise and the sand continues to swirl, the Sand Sharks remain vigilant in their support of MAG-40 and MEB-A with nothing short of success in their sights.