Fuel Cell Proves Safety in LCAP

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Roberto Modelo
  • 911 AW/PA
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  The 911th Airlift Wing was busy with events here during the April Unit Training Assembly due to the multiple inspections that took place. The Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection was one of those inspections that put the 911th Maintenance Squadron Fuel Cell to the test.

The LCAP inspection looks to ensure that Airmen from aircraft maintenance, logistical readiness, and aerial port are compliant with the standards set forth.

"The LCAP is a big inspection to ensure we know what we are doing," said Tech. Sgt. Darryl Barber, a fuel systems specialist with the 911th AMS.

The inspectors were only here for a brief time. However, in that time they had Airmen from the aircraft maintenance fuel cell prove their ability during a fuel cell extraction exercise. The coordinated exercise is conducted with other units in the 911th AW as well as with the Allegheny County Airport Authority. One of those units is the 911th Safety Office, which ensure the safety of the exercise. The fuel cell and safety inspectors look to ensure that Airmen within the fuel cell have the necessary processes in place and do so in a consistently safe manner.

"Risk Management is always used prior to exercises to mitigate as many hazards as possible," said Senior Master Sgt. Jim Kelly, Occupational Health and Safety Manager, 911th AW Safety Office.

"We are looking over the Airmen's shoulders to ensure everything is safe and coordinated," said Senior Master Sgt. Jamie Cornelia, fuel systems inspector.

The scenario for the exercise involved a fuel cell specialist, called an entrant, who enters the fuel cell with air supply respirator. During a situation where an Airman passes-out unexpectedly and the assisting Airman, called the attendant, sets in motion the processes to get the Airman help. During the time the Airmen are waiting for medical officials, they conduct safety measures to both aid the Airman as well as determine the cause of the issue.

As with the annual exercise held earlier this year, the fuel cell extraction exercise, as part of the overall LCAP inspection, gave fuel systems specialist a chance to both show their proficiency and give them the opportunity to learn where they can grow in the overall objective of achieving compliance with the Air Forces goals.

"We are here to both educate and inspect," said Sergeant Cornelia.