Episode 61

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three (NMCB 3) 

Fiery Cross Reef, South China Sea

TACTICAL AIRFIELD FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM (TAFDS)

Functional Description The primary purpose of the Tactical Airfield Fuel Dispensing System (TAFDS) is receiving, storing and dispensing fuel in support of expeditionary airfields. With the single fuel on the battlefield concept, TAFDS is able to supply fuel to both aviation and ground assets. The system has a storage capacity of 320,000 gallons and a pump capability up to 600 GPM. The system has 12 aircraft dispensing points for multi-aircraft refueling and the capability to receive fuel from multiple sources. TAFDS can be deployed as a complete system or tailored to meet specific mission requirements.

Transportability: Treat as cargo.

NOTE: Either a TRAM with a bucket or Dozer is required to build berms. Forklift support is also required

TAMCN: B06757B; USMC

“It’s toast, sir.”

Commander Greyson shook his head. At least nobody was killed when it went up. “Yep, I think you are right Sergeant. OK, let’s get the TAFDS over here.”

“Aye, aye, sir.”

As Greyson walked away from the still smoking rubble of the Chinese tank farm, the Sergeant started speaking into his tactical radio. For many militaries around the world, this would be a near fatal problem. Fighter aircraft were voracious consumers of fuel. The Chinese had correctly deduced that removing the fuel from Fiery Cross reef would reduce the ability of the Americans to wage war from the former Chinese base.

What they hadn’t taken into account was the MASSIVE logistics capability of the US military. As an expeditionary force, the US military was able to operate anywhere on earth. This capacity is completely unique in the world.

For the troops on Fiery Cross reef, the destruction of the fuel farm was simply an annoying outcome and some work to get done. The only truly irreplaceable asset of the US Military was manpower. Literally, everything else could be produced in quantities unknown to other military organizations.

While the Marines had hoped and expected to take the base largely intact, they didn’t come all this way unprepared. As part of the supplies they brought along, they included the ability to completely rebuild the airfield, including its refueling system. During the wars in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the USA had gotten very very good at logistics. The ability to set up a tank farm was something they had learned how to do.

The TAFDS is just one example of this capability. The entire system fits into a single shipping container and was able to refuel 12 aircraft simultaneously. With support from navy ships, they would be able to refuel all the aircraft on Fiery Cross Reef within 24 hours.

In the meantime, the MEU carried refueling trucks that could be used for some of the aircraft and there were several C-130s in theater configured for “Forward Arming and Refueling Point” (FARP) which basically meant they were able to refuel and re-arm aircraft on the ground.

Within ten minutes, a front end loader began to push the destroyed fuel system into the ocean to make way for the replacement fuel bladders and other components of the TAFDS.

VMFA-121 (The Green Knights)

Angels 8, Two Miles North East Fiery Cross Reef

“Tango Delta. Romeo flight with you at Angels 8, two miles.”

“Roger Romeo Flight. Altimeter Two Nine Eight Two. Cleared to land, VFR on runway two three.”

While Charles could see something smoldering on one end of the island, it looked like the single runway was fully functional. As he went across the field perpendicularly, he could see a number of other aircraft lined up on the aprons. At least one squadron of F-35s and more F-16s than he could count.

Ironically, landing the F-35 “normally” on a regular runway was much less automated than a “VTOL” type landing that they used on the ship. In this case, it was simply a normal landing, just like any other aircraft.

At the end of the runway, he was directed to a parking area where he was greeted by a familiar face. Corporal Lucas, his plane captain, was standing in the revetment waving him into his parking place.

“Larry!! What the hell are you doing here?”

Lucas had a sloppy grin on his face. “Sorry, sir. Ain’t you happy to see me?”

Jumping down from the plane, Charles gave Lucas a fist bump. “Damn straight I am! Just surprised. What the hell happened?”

Lucas looked down at the tarmac. “Wasn’t pretty. Tah durn ship took three amidships. An’ then all hell broke loose. Captain got hurt real bad like but the XO was on the case for damn sure.”

“And they evac’d you here?”

“Well, no sir. We got moved tah the Bonny Dick. Then they said you fellers would be here and we got a ride over in a helo that was evac’ing the aid station before the Vampires showed up.”

Charles shook his head and punched Lucas in the shoulder. “You flew INTO an incoming attack?”

“Wellsir, I figgered this here is my duty station, in a manner a speaking, sir. Wouldn’t like ta be derelict or nothin’ sir.”

Charles smothered a grin. “No, we wouldn’t want to be derelict.” He looked around to the other aircraft in the squadron. Each had ground crew attending to them. “Looks like you brought friends.” Lucas nodded. “I don’t suppose you managed to smuggle some slammers in your pockets on the way over?”

“Well, no sir. As tuh that, turns out these Air Force fellers are real nice when ya get to know them up close and personal like.”

“Oh?”

“Yes sir. They have a crap ton of slammers and all manner of destruction just over yonder. And, right enough, they didn’t seem tah mind.”

“I see. Well, best get to it before someone notices you’ve helped yourself to them.”

“Aye, aye sir.”

“What about fuel?”

“That, not so much. We have a couple of trucks coming over from one of the LPDs. Not enough for the full squadron, but enough to get you gents off the deck worst comes tah worst. There is a herky bird configured for FARP about an hour out, that will get the rest. The Seebees say they have a full tank farm in a box coming in later today.”

“Well done Marine. Carry on.” Charles presented his best parade ground salute which Lucas returned smartly. Normally, an officer never salutes an enlisted, but Charles had to recognize the effort above and beyond the call of duty.