FISC Puget Sound's Manchester Fuel Department supports POLEX 02 West

Navy Supply Corps Newsletter, Nov-Dec, 2002 by Willie Robohn

Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Puget Sound's Manchester Fuel Department recently participated in the annual Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants Exercise. POLEX 02 West was conducted from June 14 through June 20 a part of the nationwide POLEX 02.

During the exercise the 737th Transportation Company, a United States Army Reserve (USAR) unit on annual training, carried more than 370,000 gallons of fuel issued by the Manchester team to the U.S. Army Training Range at Yakima, Wash.; Fairchild Air Force Base, near Spokane, Wash.; and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. The exercise was smaller this year because several POLEX 02 units were recalled to support Homeland Defense operations.

POLEX 02 was a nationwide fuel transport exercise that operated in 26 states. Reserve component (RC) military truck companies provided long distance line-haul transport of fuel from numerous fuel supply points to end users. The 475th Quartermaster Group Forward (USAR), from Fort Hunter-Liggett, Calif., exercised command and control of POLEX 02 West RC units. The 174th Quartermaster Battalion at Yakima commanded the Washington State Area of Operations. The 737th, comprised of 61 citizen-soldiers operating 35 tractor-trailer fuel trucks, provided the direct line-haul support for POLEX 02 West. Eight soldiers from this unit were stationed at Manchester, while the remaining personnel operated out of Yakima. Four soldiers from the 809th Quartermaster Detachment remained at Manchester and provided liaison support for the 737th.

The purpose of POLEX is to conduct real-world training by moving fuel. As commercial carriers haul most of the fuel in the United States, a typical mission assigned to RC units is delivering fuel to field forces deployed overseas where commercial carriers are not available. POLEX provides opportunities for unit training, while reinforcing individual soldier skills. The fuel depot used this exercise, as an opportunity to conduct required periodic truck-rack spill drills and review and validate current emergency shutdown and spill cleanup procedures.

POLEX epitomizes joint service by using Army transporters to deliver Navy-managed fuel to Navy, Air Force, and Army units within the state. It is a great opportunity to acquaint ourselves with a fine organization and team of professionals. The Manchester Fuel Department is proud to have participated in this exercise over the past several years and looks forward to participating in more POLEXs, and further opportunities to support joint forces.

The FISC Puget Sound Fuel Department accomplishes the Naval Supply Systems Command's mission by delivering combat capability to our joint customers on a routine basis. Our customers include ships and stations within Navy Region Northwest, U. S. Coast Guard forces in the region, McChord Air Force Base, Wash.; Fort Lewis, Wash.; other federal agencies such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and occasional foreign naval ships.

LCDR Willie Robohn's previous assignments have been Supply Officer USS Ashland (LSD 48), Business Financial Manager Intern at Program Executive Office (Tactical Air) Program Management Activity-231, and Disbursing and Materiel Officer USS Wasp (LHD 1). He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, holds ah M.B.A. from the University of Kansas, and is a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Lieutenant Commander Willie Robohn, SC, USN Director, Manchester Fuel Department, Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Puget Sound