Misawa Airman breaks deployed record

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  One of Misawa's Airmen recently broke a record while deployed to Southwest Asia.

Senior Airman Justin Neal, deployed from the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron, broke Al Udeid's record for most aviation fuel pumped in a single month by pumping 2.1 million gallons of fuel.

With more than four years in the military and on his third deployment, breaking a record like this is something Airman Neal didn't set out to accomplish.

"I was just working hard everyday and when I got about halfway through the month, I realized I was on pace for a huge amount," said the 24-year-old.

The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, where Airman Neal is assigned to, is one of the largest, most diverse expeditionary wings in the Air Force with more than 100 combat and combat-support aircraft supporting the Global War on Terror, according to Master Sgt. Johnny Wooten, also deployed to Al Udeid from the 35th LRS.

"Since no aircraft leaves the ground without fuel, every gallon Airman Neal issued was vital to enabling every mission flown from here," said Sergeant Wooten.

In recognition of Airman Neal's accomplishment, a 2.1 million gallon fuel tank has been named "Tank Neal."