John Deahl is a Project Manager under Weston’s CEHNC (USACE Huntsville) Fueling System Recurring Maintenance and Minor Repair (RMMR) program. He is a seasoned professional with a background in civil engineering and 10 years of fueling construction and maintenance experience. He also served in the US Army for 4 years, where he was a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Logistics Officer within the 82nd Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. Notably, he served in Bosnia during Operation Joint Guard in 1997 and Kosovo during Operation Joint Guardian in 1999.
John is trained and certified to inspect storage tanks, pipes, and structures (API 653, API 570, and STI SP001 inspector certifications). He also holds a Construction Quality Management for Contractors (CQM-C) certification, demonstrating his expertise in adhering to construction project standards and protocols. Additionally, he possesses safety credentials, including 30-Hour OSHA Construction Safety and 40-Hour/8-Hour HAZWOPER training, highlighting his preparedness for safety-conscious environments and ability to manage hazardous situations and materials.
Since joining Weston in 2010, John has progressed from a Project Engineer to Project Manager. His leadership and technical expertise have been integral to the success of the RMMR program, managing repairs on over 460 Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) capitalized fueling facilities at 16 Air Force and DLA installations.
Can you give an overview of the Recurring Maintenance and Minor Repairs (RMMR) program?
Our RMMR program provides vital maintenance and repair services to ensure the continuous operation of essential Department of Defense (DoD) fueling capabilities crucial for the DLA. We work with the Army, Navy, and Air Force at over 140 DoD sites with a combination of self-perform and subcontracted activities for petroleum facilities and systems composed of storage tanks, piping, ancillary equipment and appurtenances, and associated containment. Under this program we are performing several separate task orders to accomplish recurring periodic maintenance (quarterly, semi-annual, and annual), inspection, testing and repairs within established response times and processes. This program offers extensive expertise, effectively aiding multi-service installations and customers in the upkeep and repair of fueling equipment at the installation level.
What’s cool about this program is that we have separate dedicated project management teams for each task order, delivering services to meet mission critical capabilities for the Army, Air Force, and Navy. When it comes to regular maintenance of the scope, we provide every installation within a task order with a dedicated representative to maintain that site. Our site representatives ensure that the work gets done right and is performed in accordance with applicable standards, this approach offers focused assistance and effective service.
What is your role in the RMMR Program at Weston?
I took on the role of Project Manager in August 2013, when Weston was awarded their first RMMR contract. Since then, I have maintained my position as a Project Manager, specifically overseeing the South Atlantic Division Air Force 2 project. This extensive task order encompasses 18 installations spread across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. I also serve as the Deputy Program Manager and lend my support to program management duties whenever required.
Are there specific regulations or standards that dictate these maintenance procedures?
We adhere to the guidelines outlined in Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-460-03 for maintaining fueling systems on DoD installations. This comprehensive document specifies the maintenance frequency and designates responsible parties. It details the inspection, calibration, lubrication, and testing schedules for various components, including pumps, valves, gauges, hoses, nozzles, and more. These guidelines serve as the foundation for developing facility maintenance plans for the sites under our care.
In addition to UFC 3-460-03, we are obligated to comply with several other standards when maintaining and performing repairs on fueling systems. These include adhering to the requirements set forth by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 30, NFPA 30A, NFPA 70, the American Petroleum Institute (API) standards 650 and 653. Additionally, our work is subject to the regulations outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 40, specifically CFR 112 and CFR 280. It’s essential to note that our work must also align with federal, state, and local regulations, which can vary significantly from one state to another. Some states, such as Florida, impose stricter requirements than others.
What are some common challenges or issues airfield operators face when maintaining their fueling systems? Are there any safety and operational efficiency consequences of neglecting this maintenance?
Several sites listed on my task order are in coastal regions, where the harsh salt-laden environment accelerates corrosion, affecting all parts of the fueling system. To counteract this, we regularly apply appropriate coatings for repair. Neglecting corrosion can result in fuel leaks and potential component failure within electrical systems, which can lead to system outages, reduced fueling capacity, and inhibit mission readiness. Also, we face challenges with water infiltration into fueling pits on the flightlines, which can occur from topside infiltration due to precipitation and from below due to high water tables. This too can cause corrosion within the pits and requires routine removal of any moisture, our consistent pit repairs help ensure delivery of clean, dry fuel flow.
Can you discuss the cost-effectiveness of regular maintenance compared to addressing issues as they arise in airfield fueling systems?
Aircraft fueling systems represent a significant investment of time and dollars by the DoD, which involves the procurement of various components, a process that often spans several months. To optimize return-on-investment and equipment longevity, proactive routine maintenance is essential for critical components like pumps, valves, and other parts. This approach not only increases the intervals between component replacements and system overhauls but also safeguards against unexpected outages that can disrupt mission readiness.
Waiting until a component failure occurs can lead to mission-critical downtime, as replacement parts are not always readily available and may require an extended procurement period. The cost of proactive maintenance is merely a fraction of the expense associated with replacing these systems entirely, and it helps prevent prolonged system outages, ensuring continued operational efficiency.
How do environmental considerations play a role in the maintenance of airfield fueling systems, particularly regarding local weather conditions, fuel leakage, and environmental releases?
Leaks pose a significant risk to soil, groundwater, and air quality. Weston conducts visual inspections throughout the system to detect leaks and rigorously test pressure relief valves. These valves play a vital role in alleviating pressure buildup within pipes and vessels during temperature fluctuations. If these valves malfunction, it can result in gasket failures and fuel leaks. Regular testing is essential for pinpointing valves that require replacement to prevent thermal pressure accumulation.
Our ongoing maintenance efforts for tanks, piping, and containment systems are instrumental in early issue detection and expedite repairs to address any leaks before they escalate into environmental releases. We are dedicated to the upkeep of fueling systems to maintain their leak-free status. Additionally, our commitment extends to the maintenance of containment systems to prevent the release of any potential leaks into the environment.
In certain situations, we must respond to leaks as emergencies to promptly mitigate or prevent environmental releases. Weather events such as hurricanes and associated heavy winds and flooding can be disastrous for fueling systems. We monitor these events closely, maintaining open communication with site personnel during and after storms, and remain on high alert if we are needed for rapid response.
Can you share any successes in preventive maintenance programs implemented at airfields that have resulted in improved system reliability and safety?
Over the past decade, I have overseen work at 25 sites (18 currently) within the South Atlantic Division Air Force 2 footprint. Our work under this program has resulted in less frequent repair requests at these long-standing, legacy sites. We have also seen a reduction in the occurrence of emergency requests needed to address critical component outages. Dedicated program management has enabled us to achieve a service order execution rate of 89% while balancing budgetary restrictions/site closures due to emergency/pandemic responses. To date, we have successfully addressed over 1,300 service orders, receiving at or above satisfactory feedback from bases.
What advice would you give to airfield operators and maintenance teams looking to enhance their fueling system maintenance practices?
It’s crucial to conduct routine preventive maintenance on your systems, following the guidelines in UFC 3-460-03 and adhering to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This proactive approach will significantly extend the lifespan of your systems while maintaining their leak-free operation. Ultimately these practices work to enhance our country’s military and ensure mission readiness.
If you’re a government fuel system mechanic participating in the RMMR program, consider it a valuable tool in your arsenal for addressing maintenance and repair issues. Consider your RMMR contractor as an essential member of your team. Whenever issues arise, make it a point to notify your repair contractor early. We possess the expertise and maintain an extensive network of vendors and subcontractors capable of swift problem resolution. Our collective goal is to ensure the consistent delivery of clean, dry fuel to support the war fighters.
Additionally, it’s vital to not overlook military operator-level maintenance tasks and the daily, weekly, and monthly checks. These tasks are equally important in maintaining the smooth operation of your systems, just as the quarterly, semi-annual, and annual maintenance tasks are. Last but not least, I would recommend system operators and maintainers become familiar with the UFC 3-460-01 Design: Petroleum Facilities, NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code and NFPA 30A Code for Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages. API 650 and API 653 are also good references. These codes and references will help you understand the codes that drive fueling facility design.
Are there things that make Weston (you and your teams) most successful from the perspective of our clients?
Weston takes a proactive approach to recurring maintenance by self-performing most of the necessary tasks. We’ve accomplished this by bringing onboard 27 highly qualified and experienced liquid fuel maintenance mechanics, with the majority joining Weston directly after their military service, equipping them with a profound understanding of our clients’ requirements. Our field teams play a pivotal role in our accomplishments, bringing with them exceptional expertise and in-depth knowledge of fuel system operation and troubleshooting. By recruiting the right team, we have been able to exceed client expectations by meeting all data call requirements, managing required meetings, ensuring reports are submitted on time or before the deadline, as well as maintaining consistent responsiveness and support. This knowledge and management of these projects are critical to the government’s mission.
Many of our team members have a military background, and they take immense pride in their ongoing service to our nation and its dedicated warfighters. At Weston, we take full ownership of the quality of the work we perform and have a deep commitment to the continuous supply of clean, dry fuel for our war fighters.
