Practice how you play: 51st MXS annual confined space fuels training event

Senior Airman Robert Hiler, 51st Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuels systems technician, assists a simulated unconscious Airman dummy inside a fuel tank compartment of an A-10c Thunderbolt during an annual confined space training and safety event at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 13, 2022. If an Airman is found to be unconscious inside of the compartment, emergency procedures are immediately initiated in order to extract the individual and give them medical care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

Practice how you play: 51st MXS annual confined space fuels training event

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Ferguson, 51st Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuels systems technician, moves a dummy into place inside the fuel tank compartment of an A-10c Thunderbolt during an annual confined space training and safety event at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 13, 2022. The dummy was used to simulate an Airman that had passed out due to lack of oxygen during fuels systems maintenance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

Practice how you play: 51st MXS annual confined space fuels training event

Senior Airman Jeffrey Chapman, Jr., 51st Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuels systems technician, peers into fuel tank compartment of an A-10c Thunderbolt during a confined space training and safety event at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 13, 2022. Fuels technicians practice procedures in a confined space annually to ensure that if a situation involving an incapacitated Airman occurs, all personnel will be prepared. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

Practice how you play: 51st MXS annual confined space fuels training event

Staff Sgt. Zachery Ledo, 51st Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuels systems technician, fits a cannister onto a gas mask as part of an annual confined space training and safety event at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 13, 2022. Technicians use gas masks as a precaution while working in the confined space of the A-10 fuels tank to prevent breathing the hazardous fumes inside of the compartment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

Practice how you play: 51st MXS annual confined space fuels training event

Osan Air Base Fire Department first responders and 51st Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuel systems technicians remove a dummy simulating an unconscious Airman from the fuel tank compartment of an A-10c Thunderbolt during an annual confined space training and safety event at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 13, 2022. The dummy was used to simulate an Airman that had passed out due to lack of oxygen during fuels systems maintenance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs)

Practice how you play: 51st MXS annual confined space fuels training event

Published May 19, 2022
By Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

The tight working conditions inside of the A10c Thunderbolt present a challenge. Airmen with the 51st Maintenance Squadron are required to be prepared for scenarios involving an incapacitated worker that needs to be rescued from the fuel compartment. Fuels technicians practice these procedures in a confined space annually to ensure that if a situation involving an incapacitated Airman occurs, all personnel will be prepared.