Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing collects fuel samples for processing Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. Every sampling is critical in ensuring 1st SOW aircraft have pure, high-performance fuel to excel in combat and training environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing tests a free water detector pad at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. The pads are used to determine how much free water is present in the fuel. An excessive amount of water can alter other tests and can potentially give false readings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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$A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing checks the refractometer for calibration with distilled water at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025.$

Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing checks the refractometer for calibration with distilled water at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. This check ensures accurate readings when testing fuel, guaranteeing its quality and safety for flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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$A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing examines a fuel sample using the refractometer at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025.$

Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing examines a fuel sample using the refractometer at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. The technician places the fuel and water mixture on the refractometer, which uses light refraction through the water to produce a reading for fuels system icing inhibitor, which prevents water in the fuel from freezing at high altitudes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing measures fuel for a flash point test at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. Determining the flash point is a critical safety measure that ensures the fuel will not ignite under normal operating temperatures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing heats fuel in a flashpoint tester at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. This test confirms the fuel’s stability and safety-- ensuring it flashes without maintaining combustion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing measures fuel and water to conduct a fuels system icing inhibitor test at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. FSII is a fuel additive that attaches to water in the fuel to prevent aircraft fuel lines from freezing at high altitudes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing places a fuel and water mixture in a mechanical shaker at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. This step ensures the fuels system icing inhibitor thoroughly bonds with the water to get an accurate reading. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing shakes a fuel and water mixture at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. Every aspect of the test is controlled, including the amount of time the fuel and water mixture needs to be shaken, to ensure the fuels sytem icing inhibitor thoroughly bonds with the water to get an accurate reading. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing uses a digital conductivity meter to test a fuel sample’s temperature and conductivity at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. Testing fuel samples ensures that the petroleum, oil and lubricant section is servicing aircrafts with high quality fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing rinses samples with petroleum ether to remove residual fuel and particulates at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. Each sample represents a step in delivering the clean fuel that allows 1st SOW aircraft to fly effectively in all mission conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing tests the fuel’s conductivity by taking its temperature at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. This test is performed to certify the static dissipating additive is within appropriate limits, helps prevent safety hazards from electrostatic ignition discharge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing logs fuel readings for test samples at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. This step ensures that every piece of equipment and drop of fuel meets the highest standards for the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)

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Fueling the Fight

Published Aug. 26, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston
1st Special Operations Wing

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- A fuels laboratory technician assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing collects fuel samples for processing Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2025. Every sampling is critical in ensuring 1st SOW aircraft have pure, high-performance fuel to excel in combat and training environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston)