European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 30, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday september 30, 1978 the stars and stripes Page 3 thirsty Birds pfc. James Silverman of Atlanta ga., guides hovering cobras into position for hot refuelling at Gie Belstadt Germany. The technique in which copters Are re fuelled with their engines running was perfected in Vietnam and shaves sever Al minutes off the time needed to refuel them and get them Back in action. Hot refuelling cuts copter Park time pfc. Ronald Mazzio 26th Supply and service co 85th Maint in 3rd support just in Case command wearing a protective mask stands ready with a fire extinguisher As a cobra Pilot hot refuel Bis own Heli copter at Gie Belstadt Germany. Story and photos by Ann Keays staff writer Gie Belstadt Germany is hot refuelling a tactic employed in Vietnam to service helicopters and return them to the Battle zone As quickly As possible was practice Here by the 3rd support come during the nato exercise certain shield. During hot refuelling helicopters take on gasoline with their engines still running and the whole operation is completed in about five minutes. It s a dangerous task which shaves about 10 minutes off Normal refuelling times when helicopters Are parked and engines Are shut off. Unfortunately there was t much stress on safety in Vietnam said . Ronald Cannoles 26th Supply and service co 85th Maint in 3rd support come. Can noles of los Angeles said that in contrast the refuelling exercise Here taught the men to be safety conscious while operating on a tight schedule. Six refuelling Points pumped an average of 5,000 Gallons daily into All types of nato helicopters from cobras to chinooks. In addition the pol Petroleum Oil and lubricants Point provided packaged products such As grease to its aircraft customers. A fuel Tanker filled four bladders Large inflatable heavy plastic bags with 10,000 Gallons each to get the pol Point operational before the first aircraft arrived. The bladders set in ditches were kept refilled by a network of pumps and hoses. The 12-Man Crew got a lot of experience said Cannoles no in charge of the pol Point. This is the first time we be done this for an autumn forge exercise but Well be ready to do it again on the next