The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

A member of the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight conducts a hot pit refueling on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 25, 2014. During the refueling process, the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight Airmen transfer up to 1,500 gallons of JP-8 fuel into each aircraft depending on how many sorties it has flown during the day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jessica Clark-Parrick, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels controller, processes a request for a fuel truck at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 25, 2014. The life cycle of fuel begins here at the 35 LRS fuels management flight building where it is inspected in their laboratory before being brought to the flightline. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Zachary Campbell, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, funnels JP-8 fuel into a container at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 25, 2014. The jet fuel in these trucks is delivered 17 miles underground via two, four-inch wide pipes to Misawa Air Base from Hachinohe city. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

JP-8 fuel is siphoned from a truck into glass containers at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 25, 2014. The fuel is transported to the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadrons fuel laboratory where it is tested for quality and examined for impurities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jamie Von Barnau Sythoff, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels laboratory technician, performs a conductivity test on JP-8 fuel at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 25, 2014. After calibrating the meter, a probe is inserted into the fuel to obtain an accurate readout before being sent to the flightline. Technicians test for any impurities in the fuel and ensure no excess water is present. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Sabastian Anderson, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, carries a gasoline hose to an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 25, 2014. Anderson is part of an 72-member flight that fuels over 40 jets split between two fighter squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Sabastian Anderson reels in a fuel pump after successfully refueling an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 25, 2014. With refueling completed, Anderson and his crew retract the fuel pump from the aircraft and allow the jet to get back to the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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The life cycle of fuel: From pipeline to flightline

Published March 27, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The journey that jet fuel takes to ultimately feed F-16 Fighting Falcons at Misawa Air Base, Japan is a long one. Beginning in Hachinohe city, the jet fuel travels almost 17 miles to reach Misawa AB, where it is meticulously examined by the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuel management flights laboratory upon arrival. After ensuring the purity of the product, the fuel is taken onto the flightline where it will be fed to awaiting jets in a process called hot pit refueling.

The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline

The life cycle of fuel: from pipeline to flightline