Location: Wunstorf, Lower Saxony
In a remarkable display of military logistics, German special pioneers have built expansive tank farms in Wunstorf to facilitate the refueling of up to 250 aircraft participating in Air Defender 23, the largest air force deployment exercise in NATO’s history. The air base in Wunstorf has become the central hub for this exercise, welcoming participants from 25 nations, with aircraft being refueled day and night for a period of two weeks.
The field tank farm at the Wunstorf air base stands as an impressive feat, featuring rubber containers the size of a tennis court, each capable of storing 300,000 liters of aviation fuel. Lieutenant Uwe vD, the operations officer at the field tank farm, proudly states that it is the largest field tank farm ever built by the Bundeswehr in Germany in one go, currently housing 2.4 million liters of kerosene.
The daily operations of the field tank farm are led by a team of 47 specialized soldiers who possess expertise in civil engineering, metalworking, pumps, machinery, and chemical laboratory analysis to ensure the quality of the fuel. The kerosene undergoes rigorous checks, including testing for dirt particles, as it is sometimes transported in tanks that have previously held diesel or petrol. The soldiers work diligently to maintain the fuel’s quality and reject any heavily contaminated batches.
Months of preparation preceded the operation of the field tank farm, involving the construction of high mounds of earth to support the rubber tanks, the installation of a 1.8-kilometer-long pipeline network, and the creation of a container depot with operating rooms. By early June, the field tank farm was fully operational, supplying the A400M transport aircraft of Air Transport Squadron 62 with kerosene. During the Air Defender 23 exercise, the tank farm has the capacity to distribute a staggering one million liters of kerosene per day, meeting the needs of approximately 100 transport aircraft.
The delivery of kerosene to the field tank farm is an ongoing process, with tank wagons arriving via rail or tank trucks. The kerosene is then transferred to airfield tankers, which transport the fuel to the waiting aircraft. Without the efficient operations of the field tank farm and the dedicated soldiers involved, the transport planes participating in Air Defender 23 would be unable to carry out their missions.
The multinational effort at the Wunstorf field tank farm is evident, with soldiers from the Hungarian army working alongside their German counterparts. This collaborative German-Hungarian pipeline team, which originated in 2011, ensures the smooth distribution of fuel. Additionally, American exercise participants’ tankers are also supplied with kerosene, highlighting the international cooperation taking place during Air Defender 23.
As the special pioneers diligently carry out their duties, ensuring a constant flow of fuel to the waiting aircraft, they find moments to gather and enjoy meals together. The canteen container offers a variety of food items with playful names such as “pipeline bratwurst,” “pipeline wrap,” and “pipeline liver,” emphasizing the pervasive presence of pipelines in their work environment.
The remarkable efforts of the German special pioneers and their international counterparts at the Wunstorf field tank farm exemplify the meticulous planning and execution required to support the largest air force exercise in NATO’s history. Their expertise and unwavering dedication ensure that the participating aircraft remain fueled and ready for the complex maneuvers and operations conducted during Air Defender 23.