Without POL, Pilots can’t breathe

Airman 1st Class Randy Willis 9th Logistic Readiness Squadron, cryogenics technician, purges a hose at Beale Air Force Base, California, July 21, 2022. The steam that comes off of the tank is Liquid Oxygen steam is pressurized, cooled gas at minus 297 degrees Fahrenheit. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Colville McFee)

Without POL, Pilots can’t breathe

Senior Airman Verdes Cato, 9th Logistic Readiness Squadron cryogenics technician, test Liquid Oxygen (LOX) at Beale Air Force Base, California, July 21, 2022. The beakers have a film of white paper inside to show if the LOX has any discoloration or discrepancies. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Colville McFee)

Without POL, Pilots can’t breathe

Senior Airman Verdes Cato, observes Airman 1st Class Randy Willis 9th Logistic Readiness Squadron cryogenics technician, as he carefully handles Liquid Oxygen (LOX), while a U-2 Dragon Lady flies over at Beale Air Force Base, California, July 21, 2022. With specialized protective equipment, Airmen are able to handle the freezing temperatures of the LOX to prevent burns. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Colville McFee)

Without POL, Pilots can’t breathe

Airman 1st Class Randy Willis 9th Logistic Readiness Squadron cryogenics technician, carefully adjust knobs and handles Liquid Oxygen (LOX) at Beale Air Force Base, California, July 21, 2022. At certain temperatures, oxygen can freeze and turn into liquid, which is collected in the beaker. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Colville McFee)

Without POL, Pilots can’t breathe

Senior Airman Verdes Cato, 9th Logistic Readiness Squadron cryogenics technician, smells the Liquid Oxygen (LOX) in the beaker at Beale Air Force Base, California, July 21, 2022. Airmen smell and observe if the LOX has any discoloration, discrepancies or smell. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Colville McFee)

Without POL, Pilots can’t breathe

Airman 1st Class Randy Willis 9th Logistic Readiness Squadron cryogenics technician, carefully handles Liquid Oxygen (LOX) at Beale Air Force Base, California, July 21, 2022. At certain temperatures, oxygen can freeze and turn into liquid, which is collected in the beaker. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Colville McFee)

Without POL, Pilots can’t breathe

Published July 22, 2022
By Colville McFee
9th Reconnaissance Wing

Beale Air Force Base, Calif. --

When pilots need oxygen for high-altitude flights, Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants Airmen (POL) come with the tools they need. The 9th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) fuels cryogenics technicians know how to make sure they provide an essential necessity to keep the mission going.

LOX is called Aviator’s Breathing Oxygen (ABO); it is a pilot’s main source of air at altitudes exceeding 10,000 feet. Liquid Oxygen (LOX) is paramount to U-2 pilots and the mission.

“We take our job seriously to ensure pilots can breathe while wearing their suit,” said Senior Airman Verdes Cato, 9th LRS cryogenics technician. “We check and double each other to make sure nothing goes wrong when transferring liquid oxygen.”

Donning white Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other PPE is essential for the position to ensure that Airmen are safe while handling LOX and performing test.

“We wear specialized protective gear to prevent our skin from burns because the LOX is pressurized gas at minus 297 degrees Fahrenheit.,” said Airman 1st Class Randy Willis, 9th LRS cryogenics technician.

After servicing and testing, the LOX is delivered where it is put into the U-2 Dragon Lady for the pilots to use.

“Without fuels in any capacity, planes can’t fly and pilots can’t breathe, so we know how important our position is,” Cato said.