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ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE Using unused aviation fuel straight from the aircraft in field cookers, while on deployment in austere environments, will result in a more efficient mission and remove the need to buy fuel from the locals.
T
he innovation was presented by Corporal (CPL) Fraser Mewburn, who had been thinking about different ways to guarantee personnel could eat while on deployment. He knew Avtur fuel used in aircraft was kerosene-based and could be compatible with field cookers. “One night I experimented with different fuel types and a cooker to see what would and would not burn in it. I succeeded in getting Avtur to burn in it. On his next deployment, following the revelation, CPL Mewburn didn’t bring fuel for the cookers and instead used Avtur. The decision mitigated the risk to the packet commander, due to the potential of delayed flights or rejected consignments based on personal interpretation of doctrine. This meant an increase in the type of cargo that could be transported to include items that couldn’t travel near fuel. “It increased the efficiency of the frame. It also enabled us to ask the maintainers to give us a couple of litres when they did the fuel drain. We cooked over it for a number of weeks.”
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If the idea was formally adopted, it would mean airmen, soldiers and sailors would no longer need to purchase their own field cooking appliance and using the current in-service issued one, would ensure the use of any readily available fuel type, he said. “It gives you a huge amount of flexibility. It also means we’re not a burden on the locals’ existing supplies, especially in a HADR (Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief) situation.” CPL Mewburn gave his presentation via a phone call as he is deployed to the Middle East at the moment. But despite the distance, his presentation still made an impact on the panel. After the judging panels deliberations, Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Clark said the idea made sense. He suggested CPL Mewburn think about it from a wider New Zealand Defence Force perspective.
