U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jesse King, 35th Fuels Management fuels laboratory technician, performs the fuels system icing inhibitor test at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 17, 2012. The FSII in fuel acts as anti-freeze for the water in fuel so it does not freeze while aircraft are at high altitudes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Kenna Jackson)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jesse King, 35th Fuels Management fuels laboratory technician, pours jet fuel into a container at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 17, 2012. When transferring fuel in the lab, technicians must wear gloves and goggles to protect them from spills and fumes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Kenna Jackson)

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Joe Richardson, 35th Fuels Management fuels laboratory supervisor, weighs a nitrocellulose membrane pad for particulate matter at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 17, 2012. Lab technicians weigh the pad to measure the amount of particulate matter in the fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Kenna Jackson)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jesse King, 35th Fuels Management fuels laboratory technician, uses the bottle apparatus method to perform a particulate matter test of jet fuel at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 17, 2012. This test is performed to determine the amount of particulate matter in jet fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Kenna Jackson)

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Agents against particulate matter strike back

Published April 18, 2012
By Airman Kenna Jackson
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- In the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management facility laboratory, Airmen test up to three gallons of jet fuel a day for particulate matter contamination that could hinder the flying mission.

"Dirty fuel causes planes to crash," said Staff Sgt. Camilo Romero, 35th Fuels Management fuels laboratory supervisor. "If there is particulate matter in the fuel, the engine's fuel-line system will get clogged and cause the engine to fail. Without the engine, the aircraft can't stay in the air."

To determine whether the jet fuel is suitable for government use, lab technicians perform a series of tests to calculate the amounts of solid particulate matter, such as rust and dirt.