Tactical fuel systems, or forward operating base (FOB) support systems as they are also known, are collections of the refueling components described in
paragraph 17.2 above. These systems are designed to be flexible and air, mobile, or ship transportable. FOB support systems, which are used primarily to support tactical operations in and around expeditionary airfields of varying sizes, are available in the following main types or categories:
1. Tactical Airfield Fuel Dispensing System (TAFDS)
2. Helicopter Expedient Refueling Systems (HERS) 3. M970 or Aviation Refueling Capability (ARC)
mobile refueling vehicles.
4. Navy Advanced Base Functional Components Fueling Systems (H-14K)
5. SIXCON tank and pump modules.
These systems should not be used in place of a fixed facility at any Navy or Marine Corps Station unless a mission oriented training or operational necessity exists. For stations/bases where the requirement does exist, a lined concrete or steel containment berm is recommended (or as detailed by local environmental regulations). Where a continual requirement is identi- fied for the use of a tactical system to augment refueling operations, a request for a fixed facility is encouraged. Each refueling system; e.g., TAFDS, HERS, M970, and ARC, shall include the following minimum components:
1. Filter/Separator 2. Fuel quality monitor
3. Aircraft refueling nozzle — single point pressure refueling or over-wing nozzle
4. Sampling connection on the pressure refueling nozzle
5. Bonding/grounding cables.
17.3.1 Tactical Airfield Fuel Dispensing System (TAFDS). The TAFDS, as illustrated in
Figure 17-1 is used to service expeditionary airfields within FOBs (less air points). It is made up of self-contained components that can be hooked together with quick-disconnect camlocking fittings to receive, store, transfer, and dispense aviation fuels. The design concept of the systems is to meet numerous operational requirements by permitting flexibility in assembly layouts. It is capable of receiving fuel from the Amphibious Assault Fuel System (AAFS) or other sources if appropriate adapters are available. TAFDS is designed to dispense fuel to up to 12 refueling points simultaneously. The basic capacity of the TAFDS is 320,000 gallons when configured with four 50,000- gallon and six20,000-gallon collapsible tanks.
17.3.2 Helicopter Expedient Refueling System (HERS). The HERS, as depicted in Figure 17-2, is also composed of self-contained components that can be hooked together with quick-disconnect camlocking fittings to receive, store, transfer, and dispense aviation fuels. The HERS is designed for refueling helicopters at remote locations at the rate of 125 gallons per minute from 4 dispensing points. The HERS capacity is 18,000 gallons configured with three 3,000-gallon collapsible tanks and eighteen 500-gallon collapsible drums. The system may be tailored to increase or decrease capacity by adding or deleting tanks and accessories.
17.3.3 Navy Advanced Base Functional Components Fueling Systems (ABFC-H14K).
An ABFC-H14K, which is illustrated in Figure 17-3, is a self-contained wheeled unit weighing approximately 6,000 pounds. It is designed to refuel aircraft at up to 350 gallons per minute. As outlined in Figure 17-4, each unit contains all of the components required to safely refuel aircraft, bottom load trucks, or transfer fuel from one tank or bladder to another. Basic unit configuration includes diesel driven fuel pump, filter/separator, fuel quality monitor, relaxation chamber, primary pressure control, deadman control, hose, hose reel, hose-end pressure regulator, and SPR refueling nozzle. Units are primarily designed to pump fuel from existing tanks or bladder systems; however, the cart’s structure is designed to accommodate several collapsed bladders on top. Since these units possess all the requirements established for shore-based systems, ABFC-H14K operators shall follow the operating procedures and requirements contained in
Figure 17-1. Tactical Airfield Fuel Dispensing System (TAFDS)
17.3.4 Mobile Aircraft Refuelers (M970/ARC).
Mobile refuelers are used primarily for cold fueling operations. The Aviation Refueling Capability (ARCs) are not resident within the Marine Corps tactical refueling system at this time; however there is an ongoing effort to add these items.
Tactical refuelers shall meet the following mini- mum requirements:
1. Tank construction shall consist of one compart- ment only, with necessary baffles. Tank shall completely drain at low point without traps of liquid remaining in pockets. The tank shall be designed so that all portions are accessible for cleaning and maintenance.
2. Tanks shall be aluminum or stainless steel. 3. Tank top opening(s) shall be semipermanently
secured with padlocks and opened for inventory purposes only, gauging prior to loading (field environment) and interior inspections and repairs. Manhole covers should incorporate a fusible plug
or plugs, each equipped with fine screens to provide additional emergency vapor release. 4. Tank shall be configured for bottom loading. 5. The piping system including all hardware compo-
nents shall be capable of dispensing fuel at rated flow.
CAUTION
The use of swing joints with Zerk grease fittings is prohibited, since they can contam- inate the fuel with grease.
6. Aircraft fuel servicing vehicles shall have at least two fire extinguishers installed. Each extinguisher shall have an ANSI rating of not less that 20-B. 7. Tires shall be wide lug, wide groove tread. The
tread shall not have narrow groove design in which small stones and foreign matter could become embedded and deposited on airfield surfaces. Recaps and slicks are not authorized for use on the front wheels when operating off-base.
Figure 17-3. Navy Advanced Base Functional Components Fueling Systems (ABFC-H14K)
8. The exhaust of all engines, including auxiliary engines, shall be equipped with a suitable spark arrestor.
9. Filter/separator. 10. Fuel quality monitor.
11. Pressure and differential pressure gauges. 12. Meter.
13. Approved aircraft refueling hoses. 14. Dry break quick disconnect coupling. 15. Hose-end pressure regulator.
16. Approved aircraft refueling nozzles.
Note
Refueler/defuelers shall have two separate hoses — one that includes a hose end pressure regulator for refueling operations and one without for defueling operations. 17. Bonding cable(s).
18. Remote, hand-held deadman control.
For a more detailed discussion of the physical and functional descriptions of tactical fueling assets, refer to associated TMs, NAVAIRs, etc.
17.4 AIRCRAFT DEFUELING EQUIPMENT
17.4.1 Refuelers/Defuelers. The most ideal and cost-effective method of handling nonsuspect defueled aviation turbine fuel is to reissue it to an aircraft.
The opening of manholes during defuel operation is prohibited.
In addition to the requirements for refuelers, refuelers/defuelers shall meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Refuel/defuel trucks shall carry the markings, “JET FUEL/JP” in place of the normal markings;
e.g., “JP-5 JET FUEL F-44” or JP-4 JET FUEL F-40.”
2. A dedicated defuel connection to piping system that passes the fuel through the pump, filter/ separator, and fuel monitor before it enters the tank must be implemented.
3. Separate hose and nozzle assemblies shall be provided on refuel/defuelers for each of the two different operations — refueling and defueling. 4. Maximum defuel rate is 100 gpm.
17.4.2 Defuelers. These units are used for defuel- ing ONLY. Fuel placed in a defueler shall not be directly reissued into an aircraft since the fuel carried is suspect. Fuel in a defueler shall be sampled and tested to determine disposition. Defuelers will be clearly marked as such.
17.5 TRUCK PARKING AREAS
17.5.1 Condition of Truck Parking Areas.
Each unit shall have adequate truck parking areas accessible by good roads. Both the parking area(s) and the access roads shall be paved and maintained in good condition. Parking areas shall be free from chuck holes and ruts that cause refueler damage and FOD.
17.5.2 Parking Area Requirements. Refuelers/ fuel servicing equipment shall be parked in designated parking areas. Equipment shall be positioned so that it is free to exit its designated parking areas without requiring excessive backing or abnormal maneuvering to avoid structures such as buildings, hose lines, other vehicles, or other equipment. Units shall have sufficient truck parking spaces to allow:
1. A minimum lateral separation of 25 feet (mea- sured center to center of truck) between trucks. 2. No trucks to be parked closer than 100 feet to any
inhabited structure.
3. Separate entry/exit designed to facilitate one-way traffic patterns within the parking area.
4. Free and direct egress from the parking area of any truck at all times. No object or another truck may block or hinder the egress of any of the trucks parked in an area.
5. Security to preclude unauthorized unintended entry into the refueler parking area
6. Security lighting (optional in a field environment) 7. Spill containment that will prevent the run-off of fuel in the event of tank rupture or major spill during loading operations. The type of contain- ment used depends on the scenario (in a nonfield environment, concrete is preferred over asphalt).
Note
Ramps over containment curbs should not be any more than 2-percent grades (2.4 inches in 10 feet) in order to avoid refueler damage.