151 Regiment RLC

151 (Greater London) Logistic Support Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps, is a regiment of the Territorial Army in the United Kingdom.

The regiment was formed in the Royal Corps of Transport in 1967 as 151 (Greater London) Transport Regiment, from three territorial transport regiments and two independent squadrons, with one ambulance squadron, one tank-transporter squadron, one parachute squadron and one transport squadron. The parachute squadron was redesignated as a brigade support squadron in 1978. The regiment was transferred into the Royal Logistics Corps in 1993, and 215 Squadron was disbanded. In 1999, the independent 124 Petroleum Squadron was regimented and all squadrons were redesignated as transport squadrons except 124 which kept its specialist role. The regiment was later redesignated as the 151(Greater London) Logistic Support Regiment

Squadrons

• 508 HQ Squadron (1967 to date)
• 124 Petroleum Squadron (1999 to date)
• 210 Transport Squadron (1967 to date)
• 215 (Essex) Transport Squadron (1967-1993)
• 240 (Hertfordshire) Transport Squadron (1967 to date)
• 562 Squadron (1967 to date)

References

• 151 Transport Regiment, regiments.org

124 PETROLEUM SQUADRON RLC(V)

Headquartered at Clive Road, Warley, Brentwood, Essex CM13 3UJ and with an additional Troop in Maidstone, Kent. The Squadron has an identical role to its specialist sister sub unit 126 Petroleum Squadron based in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

The Squadron is part of 151 (Greater London) Transport Regiment RLC(V).

The role of the Squadron is the "Handling, testing, storage & supply of fuels, lubricants and associated products in a condition suitable at the ultimate point of consumption." As such, it's personnel need to be specially trained to construct fuel storage & transfer equipment and to be aware of the dangers and know how to prevent potentially catastrophic incidents such as fire & explosion, pollution, toxicity and asphyxiation. All Petroleum Operators are trained by the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service to fight Flammable Liquid Fires.

The Squadron's mission is achieved through the construction of Bulk Fuel Installations (BFI). A BFI consists of large rubberised Tank Fabric Collapsibles (TFC's). Each TFC is capable of storing 136,000 litres of fuel. Pumps of 682LPM/150GPM are used to receive or issue and all fuel is passed through filtration equipment in order to maintain quality. A typical Battlefield Bulk Fuel Installation can store up to 816,000 ltrs of fuel (Six tanks plus two in reserve).

Napoleon Bonaparte is famously quoted as saying,"An army marches on it's stomach." Highlighting the importance of Food as Fuel. The modern mechanised army also requires fuel and lubricants, flammable gases for cooking and industrial gas for hot metal work, refridgeration, medical and meteorological uses. It is the 'Petroleum Operator' who is the skilled professional in the safe handling of these products. Although all mechanised vehicles require fuel, they also need grease, oil, coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid. Lubricating oil for the rifle to Torpedo Grease for the Submarines, to Water - Thrust Augmentation for Harrier jump jet Engines. All fall within the realm of the PET.OP.

The most efficient method of transferring fuel long distances is through use of a Pipeline. Tactical Fuel Handling Equipment (TFHE) is constructed by specialised Royal Engineer teams and can be up to 100km in length. Pumping equipment is spread along at set intervals and fuel storage areas constructed . After the pipeline has been commissioned (Fit and safe for use) it is taken over, maintained and operated by the RLC Petroleum Operator. The purpose of the TFHE pipeline is to have an uninterrupted supply of high grade kerosene from a ship anchored off shore to a forward airfield. The construction and operation of the Pipeline is a true "Purple Operation" utilising the Royal Navy/Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force but it is the Humble Pet.Op. who is the "MEAT" of the sandwich.

Although part of a skilled trade set, 124 also maintain basic soldiering skills through concurrent training in the following groups:

Fieldcraft :Battlefield First Aid :CBRN :Map Reading :Skill At Arms :Values & Standards :Fitness Training :Health & Safety. Some of the soldiers are dual trained in other tradesets. There are Chefs, Drivers, Radio Operators and Supply Specialists. All soldiers are encouraged to progress up the ranks and all soldiers are encouraged further to become instructors and trainers.

124 Petroleum Squadron is recruiting now!

Anyone wishing to join 124 Petroleum Squadron can contact them on 01277 204 183.