press releases
U.S. Forces Turnover Forward Area Refueling Point In Muzaffarabad
03/28/2006
Islamabad – During a ceremony today at Muzaffarabad’s airport, the United States Army’s 267th Quartermaster Company turned over the Forward Area Refueling Point (FARP) to the Pakistan Military. Worth about $.3 million dollars, the FARP will support the ongoing transition from relief to reconstruction.
"This rapid refueling point will play an important role during the reconstruction effort,” said Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, Commander of the United States Disaster Assistance Center. "This transfer supports the long term goals of Pakistan’s ’build back better’ program."
The FARP enables aid shipments to reach the affected areas fast and efficiently. On average, the FARP saves each aircraft 75 minutes of operating time. The time gained by the FARP comes from eliminating the 30-minute flight to Islamabad. An additional 40 minutes is saved since running helicopters can be fueled in five minutes while helicopters that shut down require 45 minutes to refuel. Consequently, the time this system saves will mean that aircraft will spend their time delivering aid and reconstruction supplies rather than refueling.
The ability to refuel a helicopter while running is known as "hot refueling" and is made possible by three 20,000-gallon fuel bladders that are capable of fueling two aircraft simultaneously. The FARP also can refuel helicopters while they are shut down, known as cold refueling, with two 2,200-gallon fuel trucks.
"The Quartermasters did a remarkable job in Muzaffarabad," said Admiral LeFever. "They dedicated themselves to our Pakistani friends and allies and they made a difference, every day to those in the northern provinces."
Upon completing their mission the 267th Quartermaster Company will return to their home base at Fort Lee, Virginia.