Saluting the Navy’s Top Fuel Handlers

Mark Green
Posted August 6, 2012

Below you’ll find the U.S. Navy honorees in API’s excellence in fuels management program – recognizing outstanding performances by military and civilian defense personnel during 2011. In future posts we’ll run winners from the other service branches.

The real winners: The rest of us who enjoy the safety and freedom provided by the men and women of our armed forces. Thanks for your service!

Best Bulk Fuel Activity – Fleet Logistics Center, Norfolk, Va. The Norfolk Fuel Department serviced military, civilian and industrial operations throughout the Norfolk area, handling more than 660 million gallons of petroleum products while supporting more than 3,000 operations. Working with Mid-Atlantic Water Treatment Plant, the department brought into the supply chain 1.2 million gallons of reclaimed fuel oil, generating more than $1.2 million in sales. Runner-up: Fleet Logistics Center, Yokosuka, Japan.

Best Retail Fuel Activity – Fleet Logistics Center, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Pearl Harbor Fuel Department serviced presidential support, international dignitaries, military, civilian and foreign delegations during 2011. It refueled more than 7,000 aircraft with 49 million gallons of jet fuel.  It reorganized the Bulk Terminal and fuel operations at Hickam Air Base, saving taxpayers more than $200,000. Runner-up: Fleet Logistics Center San Diego Detachment Fallon, Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.

Fuels Officer of the Year – Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jose Marty, USS WASP. Marty was crediting with leading restoration and repair of the ship’s aviation fuel system.  Marty was directly responsible for managing the overhaul of critical fueling systems, culminating in an unprecedented 100 percent Naval Air Certification. Marty partnered with engineers from Lockheed Martin and Naval Air Systems Command to develop the first shipboard refueling and defueling procedures for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter during sea trials. Runner-up: Lieutenant Commander Jose Vargas, fuels officer, Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella-Rota, Spain.

Fuels Chief Petty Officer of the Year – Chief Dominador Bautista, Fleet Logistics Center, Yokosuka, Japan. Bautista was cited for improving fuel operations and maintenance at the Hakozaki Terminal and throughout the Kanto Plain, directly coordinating more than 2,500 fueling evolutions that transferred more than 100 million gallons of petroleum products. These provided direct fueling support of U.S. and Joint Task Force operational elements of the Fifth and Seventh Fleets. Additionally, Bautista was key in the quick delivery of diesel fuel to the city of Yokosuka during the early aftermath of Japan’s earthquake. Runner-up: Chief John Walker, USS WASP, V-4 Division.

Fuels Petty Officer of the Year – Petty Officer David O. Johnson, DFSP Key West, Fla.  Johnson was cited for supervising the management of more than 18 million gallons of aviation fuel during 16,000 aircraft fuel deliveries. Johnson was credited with overseeing receipt of two 12,000-gallon fuel tanks used to collect and recycle downgraded aircraft fuel to power emergency generators, reducing overall energy costs. Runner-up: Petty Officer James Pullom, air department, USS NIMITZ.

Fuels Civilian of the Year – Jim Cuniff, DFSP Hachinohe Terminal director, Yokosuka, Japan. Cuniff was recognized for leadership to ensure the safety of personnel and to restore operational capability to the Hachinohe Terminal after Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. Cuniff helped lead efforts to resupply Misawa and surrounding airfields that were engaged in recovery missions. He also coordinated with local government in backfilling sections of pipeline operations to limit damage to the Misawa River seawall. Runner-up: Roberto Salgado, deputy fuel director, Fleet Logistics Center, Jacksonville, Fla.