Fueling Air Dominance: 593rd CSC Supports F-22 Operations During Keen Sword 27

Official Statements

• 593d Corps Sustainment Command, November 9: “TSUIKI AIR BASE, Japan — Keen Sword is a joint, bilateral exercise involving the Japanese Self-Defense Force, U.S. Armed Forces, and allied and partner nations from across the Pacific region. The exercise is designed to enhance Japan-U.S. readiness, strengthen interoperability, and reinforce the enduring bilateral alliance while demonstrating a shared commitment to regional security and stability. During Keen Sword, Soldiers from the 593rd Corps Sustainment Command, headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., played a critical sustainment role by supporting fuel operations that enabled the successful employment of U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor aircraft. Their efforts highlighted the command’s ability to project sustainment capabilities and provide the fuel support essential to maintaining combat airpower and joint force readiness across the Pacific Theater. The refueling operations supported F-22s assigned to the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which participated in Keen Sword 27 alongside U.S. and Japanese forces. The exercise provided opportunities for the participating services to coordinate aircraft operations, logistics support and training across multiple locations in Japan. Working alongside Air Force maintainers, the Soldiers positioned their vehicles near the aircraft, coordinated refueling procedures, and delivered fuel to support scheduled flight operations. The mission required careful vehicle positioning, adherence to aircraft safety procedures, and coordination between Army fuelers and Air Force personnel. For the 593rd CSC fuelers, supporting the F-22s required adapting their petroleum distribution training to operations beyond their routine responsibilities. The Soldiers trained on McChord Airfield in Washington to be prepared to refuel fixed-wing fighter aircraft while meeting the safety and operational requirements of the Air Force. “I am extremely proud of how our Soldiers stepped up to this mission,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Johnny Frambo, the Senior Petroleum Systems Technician in the Distribution Management Center of 593rd CSC. “Refueling fighter jets isn't something they get to do every day, but they took the training and experience they already had and applied it to a completely different environment.” U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Momsen, Production Superintendent assigned to the 525th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit, said the Army fuelers quickly established an effective working relationship with Air Force maintainers. “They are consummate professionals,” Momsen said. “They have been curious about what we do and how we operate here. Bringing the 593rd fuelers and our maintainers together has been seamless.” Each day began with fuel quality surveillance to ensure the petroleum met established standards before distribution. During refueling, Soldiers monitored differential pressures, fuel flow rates and static electricity to ensure safe delivery. Limited-visibility operations introduced additional challenges, requiring operators to rely on their familiarity with the equipment to conduct refueling without unnecessary delays. “These aircraft cannot accomplish their missions without fuel, and our Soldiers understand the responsibility that comes with that,” Frambo said. “Every time an F-22 returns to the flight line, our team is ready to get that aircraft back in the air. Knowing that we are directly supporting the Air Force's mission makes this experience especially rewarding.” U.S. Army Col. Erin Miller, thecommander of the 593rd Corps Sustainment Command, noted the fuelers were a strong representation of the command’s commitment to sustainment across the Pacific. “This historic first belongs to the Soldiers on the ground. The fuelers and logisticians of the 593rd Corps Sustainment Command embraced a new challenge, mastered it, and delivered,” said Miller. “Their ability to safely and effectively refuel F-22 aircraft using Army equipment highlights the U.S. Army’s role as the foundation of the joint force, providing the sustainment, logistics, and operational reach that enable combat power across every domain.” Through missions like Keen Sword 27, Soldiers of the 593rd Corps Sustainment Command continue to demonstrate how Army sustainment is the foundation of our military, delivering the fuel, logistics and operational reach that enable mission success across every domain.”