Hard Time

File: 082696_d50030_067.txt
Page: 067
Total Pages: 101
STR3E -VF                                                    13 September 1990


SUBJECT:   Ground Fuels for Operation Desert Shield


1.   Reference MSG DFSC to USCINCENT 221700Z August 1990,  SUBJECT:  Use of
JET A-I to Meet Diesel Fuel Requirements in Middle East.

2.   At the onset of Operation Desert Shield, the use of JET A-l (i.e., JP-8
without its three mandatory additives) for all diesel fueled vehicles and
equipment had been agreed to as this was in consonance with DoD Directive
4140.43.

3.   However, due to the requirement of armored vehicles having the capability
to generate smoke in their Vehicle Engine Exhaust Smoke Systems (VEESS),
plans are now underway to `provide a diesel fuel such as VV-F-800 for diesel
fueled vehicles and equipment in lieu of JET A-l.

4.   Some general recommendations regarding use of either fuel are as follows:

     a.  Ground vehicles and equipment designed for diesel fuel can satisfact-
orily operate with JET A-l as it is an acceptable substitute for diesel fuel.

     b.  Because of the prevailing temperatures existing in Saudi Arabia, any
JET A-I should be treated with the Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII) as an
insurance against the formation of any microbiological organisms (i.e., bugs,
bacteria, fungus, etc) that will occur in the presence of any separated water
contamination existing in fuel tanks/cells.

     c.  Use of either FSII (i.e., MIL-I-27686 or MIL-I-85470) in the JET A-I
is strongly reco=ended as a means to preclude the possible generation of micro-
biological organisms.   The treatment level should for either FSII be 0.157.
vol.

     d.  Diesel fuel originating in the Middle East has generally had fuel
sulphur values ranging in the 0.7 to 1.07. wt. range.   Some sample data has
shown fuel sulphur values at times will exceed 1.07. wt.

     e.  Using a diesel fuel having fuel sulphur values in this range (i.e.,
in excess of 0.77. wt.) will cause an increase in the wear of oil-wetted engine
components; particularly in two-cycle st.oke engines which power combat
vehicles such as the M55/Al, MlO6Al/A2, M125A1/A2, M543/Al, M992, M577A1/A2,
M730, Mll3Al/A2, M981, Mll0Al/A2, M109A1/A2, M578, M983, etc.

     f.  In using high sulphur containing diesel fuel, increasing the frequency
of oil drain intervals will reduce to a degree the potential for engine compo-
nents wear problems.   ~owever, using other than MIL-L-2104 or MIl-L-21260


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