Whiteman AFB Express now offers diesel

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Danielle Quilla
  • 509 Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo --  Diesel fuel is now an option at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, because of the efforts of the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron’s liquid fuels maintenance shop.

The LFM shop teamed up with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service to begin the Whiteman Express project on Jan. 8, 2018, despite the freezing cold weather.

“The last time the base had diesel for sale was in 2013,” said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Jason Baraceros, the LFM shop NCO in charge assigned to the 509th CES. “The product was pulled out due to fuel tank integrity and environmental issues.”

However, the LFM shop performed a detailed evaluation of the location’s current setup and came up with the idea to swap tanks and use a sole tank instead of a shared baffled tank.

“The team endured freezing temperatures and managed to overcome constant pneumatic pump freeze ups in order to remove existing product,” said Baraceros. “This allowed reclamation of our current inventory of unleaded fuel in less than a week, saving AAFES $50,000 in contactor cost.”

The project was completed on Jan. 19, 2018, with two stations, fuel pump 7 and 8, offering diesel fuel.

“The squadron regularly provides affordable maintenance and mechanical assistance on Express fuel equipment,” said Exchange General Manager Mary Omler. “The Exchange appreciates the support of the 509th in helping us bring diesel to the Whiteman Express.”
The Express also offers regular, mid-grade and premium unleaded gasoline at all the pumps. The gas station is open from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 5:30 to midnight on Friday, and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.