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Sheppard grad pumps 3 million gallons, inspires Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airmen live by the Air Force's core values, they use them as a guide everyday -- though some take that extra step to "do something amazing." 

Airman 1st Class Hazen Sanders, a fuels mobile operator with the 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, did take that extra step.  He pumped over 3 million gallons of fuel in one month, setting a new Air Force record. 

The Airman only graduated from Sheppard's fuels training course six months ago and doesn't even have his five skill level. He did not let that stop him from setting a new record that's inspiring his colleagues and making his instructors proud. 

"We're proud, especially here at the school house," said Master Sgt. Robert Anderson, fuels training flight chief with the 364th Training Squadron. "What we want to do is provide the Air Force with highly-trained, quality, people and try to instill the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. Airman Sanders really displayed that." 

He said with proper motivation and training almost anything can be accomplished and Sheppard AFB truly is where combat capability starts. 

· Click here to hear Sgt. Anderson explain why Airman Sanders' accomplishment is important to the schoolhouse. 

While Airman Sanders' instructors didn't know he would be setting records within his first year, they did envision him doing something great. 

Tech. Sgt. Steven McClure, one of Airman Sanders' instructors, said he expected him to be a go-getter and selected for senior Airman below-the-zone. 

"In school he was a confident Airman. He knew what he was talking about," Sergeant McClure said. 

· Click here to learn about the Airman Sanders' fuels technical training class and how it may have impacted him. 

Sergeant McClure said most Airmen in Training spend the first few blocks of training coming out of their shells and becoming confident with the material. He said Airman Sanders wasn't one of those typical Airmen.
 
"One thing I specifically remember about Airman Sanders is he always wanted to know what was out there, what he could achieve," Sergeant McClure said. "He was always curious about what was the best time, how many gallons have been pumped, what was the most deployments for one person you've heard of and stuff like that." 

When accomplishments like Airman Sanders' occur, it isn't long before the instructors at the fuels training flight show their students what they can do when they leave Sheppard, Sergeant Anderson said. 

He said the instructors try to keep their students up-to-date with current events in the career field, so when they arrive at their first duty station they've heard the stories of the Airmen that have come before them. 

"I think the most awesome thing about the story is the fact that he's inspiring others to do something great," Sergeant McClure said. "It's not just about refueling aircraft ... it's about being the best at what you do, as far as being your top-notch Airman. I think he's shown that." 

· Click here to learn exactly how high the bar was set. 

His colleagues attending the fuels training course at Sheppard are already taking note, thanks to their instructors passing on the word of his achievements. 

"I really believe that Airman leadership is one of the things that drives us," said Airman Basic John Broome, a student in the fuels training course. "We look up to NCO's but as Airman we push each other. If I see another Airman do it, I think 'we can do it ... or do it better'." 

· Click here to hear Airman Broome's feelings about Airman Sanders' accomplishment. 

Sergeant Anderson said while Airman Sanders accomplished his goal of pumping 3 million gallons, any Airman that graduates from the petroleum, oils and lubricants course can do the same if they're motivated. 

Airman attending the fuels training course have had the bar set high once they graduate, but they aren't letting that discourage them -- they're setting their own goals. 

"I'm inspired that someone in the same career field has set the goals so high," said Airman Basic Chad Clark, a student in the fuels training course. "It inspires me to go out and do the best I can. It shows that at your own base you can set your own goals to actually help other Airmen to achieve greater things than yourself or others." 

· Click here to learn what Airman Clark felt when he heard of the record-breaking Airman. 

Airman Sanders pumped 3,213,985 gallons while working 28 days straight. During the month he set his goal, he pumped more than a third of the total fuel his 87-person flight pumped. 

(Information from a story by Master Sgt. Scott Wagers was used in writing this story)