SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 932nd Airlift Wing recently participated in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercise (QLLEX) for the first time at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, June 6, 2025.
The QLLEX was initiated by Air Mobility Command (AMC) and led by the Air National Guard’s 126th Air Refueling Wing.
This six-day exercise hit the ground running with a shipment of aviation gasoline hauled in fuel trucks from the U.S. Army Reserve 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) from Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, to be pumped into a large bladder capable of holding up to 50K gallons of fuel.
U.S. Army Reserve, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve personnel and assets collaborated with the active duty 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) to run fuel lines and refuel en masse three aircraft stationed here at Scott AFB: a 126th ARW KC-135 Stratotanker, an AMC C-130 Hercules, and the 932nd AW C-40C Clipper.
“This is a first for Scott AFB and the 126th ARW. Last year’s QLLEX was at Lincoln Air Force Base-they did not pass gas directly to aircraft like we did,” said Col. Jeannette Moore,126th Operations Group commander.
The joint participation in QLLEX demonstrated multi-capable sustainment of the C-40C with active duty, Army Reserve, AF Reserve and Air National Guard assets and resources.
It also tasked joint personnel to execute refueling in an alternate way, while also raising awareness to potential hazards and obstacles that otherwise would not be considered with our typical methods of refueling directly from a truck.
“It went really smooth,” said Master Sgt. Walter Kolkmeier, 932nd Maintenance Squadron (MXS) production superintendent. “The bladder refuel procedure was not really different from what we do on a day-to-day basis….it gave the maintainers a look into other ways to refuel the C-40.”
Five 932nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) crew chiefs were on the flightline directly refueling the C-40C while a quality assurance representative from the 932nd MXS oversaw every component—assuring operations were to standard.
Even on Scott AFB, the Team Scott total force team encountered unexpected hurdles and challenges that, once overcame, ultimately enriched their knowledge and experience that will better prime them in a deployed environment, sometimes under austere combat conditions with limited resources.
“Two major things we encountered for this event included communication and weather,” Moore highlighted. “Also, the gusty wind was more impactful than we ever expected—we ended up tripling the number of sandbags and onloaded fuel earlier than planned to mitigate the wind.”
The Air Force’s unparalleled air dominance cannot be accomplished without the critical need for effective joint coordination to keep our aircraft fueled and flying. This QLLEX provided the perfect opportunity for everyone to apply our capabilities, work together and meet mission needs.
“Total Force Integration is the only way any big mission will be accomplished,” Moore added.
The essential teamwork shown by AMC, 375th LRS, 316th ESC, 932nd AW and 126th ARW showcased joint effectiveness and readiness amongst all units.
It was also an opportunity to demonstrate combat force projection as our forces posture to meet every challenge on every horizon, and embolden the Air Force motto to “fly, fight and win.”
“When approached about supporting the QLLEX exercise, we felt this was a great opportunity showcase the 932d Airlift Wing capabilities,” said Col. Jeffrey Smith, 932nd AW commander. “Our Airmen can provide global, strategic diplomacy for the U.S. in any conditions. If our only option is fuel from a bladder at an austere location, we will do what we need to do to make the mission happen!”