By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

RESERVE – Under cover of darkness, a team of Black Hawk helicopters descended on the field at St. John Airport, where a ground crew was waiting to gas up the machines, their rotors still spinning, with little more than a faint red glow to guide them.
While the scene — or what could be seen of it — felt like something out of a movie or ripped straight from the deserts of the Middle East, save for the steady bombardment of dried grass and mosquitoes, it could become a regular occurrence at St. John Airport.
The operation is known as a “hot refuel,” and it is a key maneuver that saves both time and visibility in combat situations, when too much of either can cost soldiers’ lives.
The exercise brought together two different units. The National Guard ground team, 92 Fox — petroleum supply specialists based in Hammond, spent much of the 12-hour mission preparing for the arrival of the helicopters. Not only did they have to set up the fueling points, but they had to make sure every aspect of the operation on their end was as safe as possible.
“It’s a dangerous job,” said Staff Sgt. Karen Howard.
Safety took on even greater importance during this training mission, as many members of the refuel unit were rookies.
“We have brand new soldiers who are not as experienced with it,” said Sgt. Anthonel Robinson. “It’s a very fun and interesting job once you understand the safety.”
The mission consisted of three waves of aircraft coming in hours apart, and each refuel took about seven minutes to complete.
A collaborative effort between St. John Airport Director Kent Greene and Sean Heileman and his team at Prosource Technology, an Alabama-based consulting firm that specializes in airport development. Heileman and several of his colleagues are veterans themselves, so they brought that expertise to the table when trying to attract the mission.
“When we got together a month ago, we briefed the Port on our plan to bring in both military and cargo (traffic),” said Heileman.
The plan just happened to coincide with one of five options Greene said he and the Port of South Louisiana are considering for the future of the airport.
“I think it’s my job to grow the airport, and this is one option,” said Greene.
According to Heileman, the airport has a number of things working in its favor regarding securing future military traffic.
“It worked well tonight,” he said. “This airport offers the best austere conditions in a built-up area within a few miles.”