INTRODUCTION
Unit-level refueling operations in theaters of operation are usually
carried out by individual aviation units. A lightweight, air-
transportable, refueling system is used at the unit level. At present,
the system authorized to most units that have the mission to refuel
aircraft in forward areas is the Forward Area Refueling Equipment (FARE)
system. This system can be set up by skilled personnel with 15 minutes
of delivery to a site.
The FARE system is designed for refueling helicopters in forward
areas. It is lightweight and can be flown to the refueling point by
helicopter or fixed wing aircraft. The fuel for the system is usually
flown to the site in 500-gallon collapsible drums. The FARE system can
also use various size collapsible tanks, tank vehicles, or semitrailers
as fuel sources.
PART A - FARE COMPONENTS
Components.
The FARE system consists of a pumping assembly,
filter/separator, and valves and fittings.
Pumping Assembly. The pumping assembly is made up of a 100 GPM
centrifugal pump and a two-cylinder, four-cycle, 3-horsepower gasoline
engine that powers the pump. The inlet and outlet connections are 2
inches in diameter. The pump has a priming port on the top of the pump
casing. The pumping assembly and the engine's fuel tank are all housed
in a tubular aluminum frame.
Filter/Separator. The 100 GPM filter/separator is an aluminum tank
with a removable cover. Five filter elements, each in a canister, are
set in mounting plate near the bottom of the tank. The filter/separator
has an air vent valve, a pressure differential indicator, a water sight
glass, and a water drain valve that is turned by hand. The flow rate of
the filter/separator is 100 GPM, and its top working pressure is 75 PSI.
The filter/separator is mounted in a frame of tubular aluminum.
Discharge hose, suction hose and fittings. The FARE system has two
sets of discharge hose, fittings, and nozzles. Each set is mounted in a
tubular frame. Two canvas carrying cases hold the suction hose and their
fittings.
Fire extinguishers are not components of the FARE system. Providing
the extinguishers is a command responsibility. Three fire extinguishers
are required for each FARE system used in aircraft refueling--one to be
within reach of the pump operator and one for use at each nozzle. The
recommended fire extinguisher is the 20-pound Halon 1211.
No fuel source is provided as a component of the FARE system.
Generally, 500-gallon collapsible drums are used because they can be
airlifted, full, to the FARE point. But the FARE system can also be
adapted to use larger fuel reservoirs. The number of drums and tanks, as
well as the type of fuel to be used, is determined by the number and type
of aircraft the FARE point is to support.
PART B- FARE LAYOUT
Planning. The S3 of the aviation battalion or the operations officer of an aviation company plans the unit
operations. As part of these plans, he chooses the general area for a refueling point and specifies the
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