Chemical engineers deployed in Southwest Asia with the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron are helping to ensure the quality of both fuel and gases used in the AOR by running tests at a forward laboratory. The lab analyzes fuel samples of JP8—a common aircraft fuel—as well as the high-altitude fuel used in UAVs. They test fuel density, flash point, and distillation to determine weight and volume, flammability, and proper molecular makeup before giving their stamp of approval. The lab technicians also check out the viability of the oxygen, nitrogen, and compressed air used by deployed firefighters.
A Golden Dome task force established under U.S. Northern Command earlier this year has a broad remit, which includes fielding the capability to defend the U.S. against missile and drone attacks, its leaders said this week. Some of the primary focuses right now are ensuring Golden Dome can defend itself…