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KITGUM, Uganda — When CH-47 Chinook helicopters landed at Pajimo Barracks from Entebbe, Uganda, the event marked a major step forward in the preparation for Natural Fire 10.
The airlift replaces an eight-hour ride with a two-hour flight – an obvious advantage for exercise participants heading to Kitgum.
But those benefits don’t come without a lot of hard work by the advanced party from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, which prepared the forward site. Soldiers from the 240th Quartermaster Company, 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion set up the “fuel farm.”
Setting up a fuel farm posed its challenges, even without the equatorial sun beating down.
“There were a few bumps in the road, but we’ve overcome everything that’s come our way,” said Spc. Joshua Shackleton, a petroleum supply specialist with 240th QM Co.
Establishing logistics is key for Natural Fire 10. In the coming weeks, the exercise will offer an opportunity for East African community partner nations and the U.S. military to work together on a humanitarian assistance mission. Working together, all parties will learn from each other to increase regional capabilities to respond to complex humanitarian emergencies.
The team had to ensure fuel quality prior to the Chinooks’ arrival. That meant circulating, filtering and testing the fuel in the days before the first airlift. When the first of the mammoth birds touched down, the troops on the ground were prepared.
“It was a first time ever working around Chinooks (running). I almost got knocked down by the gusts,” said Sgt. Richard Hunter, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the fuel farm. “We connected and gave them about 5,500 pounds of fuel. It’s what we’re here to do.”
Helicopter crews arrived with more Soldiers and supplies. After unloading and refueling, the Chinooks took to the sky once again, heading back to Entebbe laden with fuel provided by the quartermaster troops.
For Specialist Shackleton, the operation was a thrill.
“It’s been an excellent experience for my first time actually setting up a real fuel farm,” Specialist Shackleton said. “We’ve done field problems before, but this is the real thing. And I’m just having a blast out here.”
