KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Without a Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) flight, it would be difficult to get aircraft off the ground. Kunsan Air Base Airmen conducted their first-ever POL bilateral training with the Republic of Korea Air Force Dec. 8. This training took place to build partnership capacity with ROKAF counterparts.
The ROKAF and USAF POL teams are currently in the process of developing a the bilateral training program.
“POL has a huge effect on the mission at Kunsan. We have a saying, “without POL pilots are pedestrians,” said Senior Master Sgt. Johnathon Northington, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels superintendent. “We store, issue, and receive all the fuel that the base uses, all fuel comes through POL first.”
“The tools that America uses are different than the ones we use, but the strategy and process to get results are the same,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jeong Hun Ji, ROKAF 38th Logistics Squadron fuels superintendent. “We want to see and compare the differences to be able to create the most efficient way to work. It’s very nice to be able to work with the US Forces and see how they operate.”
Both parties hope that this program will continue to evolve and that the Airmen will be eager to learn and adapt alongside one another.
Northington started the interaction between ROKAF and USAF forces to get the training plan in motion.
“This is a huge deal for me; I have a little bit of a background in international relations. Building host nation relationships and knowing our ROKAF brother and sisters, it’s really important for us to work with them and know who they are,” said Northington. “The ROKAF POL superintendent shares the same vision that I have and understands the need to have that relationship between our two countries.”
The relationships developed through this program will ensure fuel is provided for the aircraft the most efficient way and get the aircraft off the ground to be ready to defend the Republic of Korea at a moment’s notice.