f.
POL. The large fuel supply facilities normally engage in three activities:
dispensing, storing, and transshipping. While all these activities are often found together
in a single depot or dump, each has its own group of distinguishing features.
(1) Dispensing facilities vary from small, temporary POL points to elaborate
activities in rear areas. The small temporary POL points may consist of a small number of
fuel drums only. Such sites are usually level and cleared with enough space for an
unrestricted flow of traffic. A POL supply point can also be identified by heavy track
activity and the presence of vehicles alongside a road, fuel containers, and oil stains. The
more elaborate facilities have the same general characteristics, but include buildings for
loading racks, and storage tanks.
(2) Storage. The most prominent feature of a fuel storage activity is the storage
tanks (Figure 2-15). If the tanks are buried, circular earth scars are usually visible, and
the earthen covering may appear as a mound. Storage tanks may be covered by
camouflage nets. Often such camouflage is a failure, since the large tanks are difficult to
hide. Also, firewalls, pipelines, and pumping stations indicate the presence of a fuel
facility.
Figure 2-15. POL Storage Tanks.
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