Onboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), there are Sailors, Marines, missile systems, small arms, boilers, screws, and radars. One of the major reasons all these different components exist is in order to get our aircraft from Point A to Point B.

However, once Wasp and its various accouterments arrive at Point B, in order for the aircraft to actually depart the ground, there is one more, very necessary requirement.

Fuel.

Enter the Aviation Boatswain's Mates (Fuels), the people who know about fuel, the people for whom fuel is virtually their entire profession.

"We are a really small but tight community," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Stacey Lark. "When it comes to our rate we take pride in delivering fuel nothing short of clean, clear, and bright. We live, eat, and breathe JP-5."

ABFs, or "Grapes," as they are affectionately known (courtesy of their purple flight deck jerseys), are a subcategory of the Aviation Boatswain's Mate rating, along with its two siblings, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling).

Even though naval aviation has been in existence for more than a century, the ABF rate is relatively young.

The Aviation Boatswain's Mate family received a major overhaul September 22, 1960 with BUPERS Notice 1440, which established the ratings of ABE, ABH, and ABF.

"The ABF rating officially came into existence on January 1, 1961 when Aviation Boatswain's Mate (GAS) was converted to ABF," said Wasp V-4 Leading Chief Petty Officer Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) Edric Kidd. "Everyone from petty officer to chief petty officer was placed into the appropriate rating."

ABFs can be seen working on the flight deck or in the lower levels of the ship, such as the pump rooms and filter rooms, wearing their signature purple jersey with the word "FUEL" stenciled across the front.
"Our pump rooms are where the magic happens and the flight deck is where we get down and dirty while dragging fuel hoses across it," said Lark. "But it doesn't matter what we're doing - there's always a lot of pride involved."

Wasp's Air Department has a variety of rates that ABFs work closely with, such as Aircraft Handlers, Chocks and Chains, Plane Captains, and Aviation Maintenance Technicians. They work together to perform maintenance on aircraft, secure them once they land, refuel them, and prepare them for their next mission.

"I know it sounds cheesy but one thing I always say is, 'No fuel, no flight quarters,'" said Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (Fuels) Henry Flowers. "We have four service pumps to send fuel to the deck, two in the forward pump room and two in aft; if we lose one of each, flight quarters won't last long."

The duties carried out by ABFs include operating, maintaining, and performing organizational maintenance on aviation fueling and lubricating oil systems onboard the ship. They observe and enforce safety handling precautions, and maintain fuel quality surveillance and control in aviation fuel systems.

"Safety is of the utmost importance. The mishandling of fuel can lead to injury and possibly the loss of life," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class (Fuels) Andrey Dougherty. It is our job to make sure that doesn't happen, and you'd best believe we'll make sure it doesn't."

Since the birth of naval aviation, fueling aircraft and keeping the operational tempo going has become synonymous. Wasp's mission has to be completed, and that's where ABFs come in. Whether on the deck plates or in the bowels of the ship, the purple-wearing Sailors are there to make it happen.

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