Operation Sunoco
On April 10, 2008, the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade of the U.S. Army Reserve visited the Philadelphia Refinery. The visit was preparation of the Philadelphia-based brigade’s deployment to Iraq in June 2008. The brigade was anticipated being assigned to work within Iraq’s oil infrastructure and wanted an orientation of basic refinery operations. Though they would not be directly involved in the reconstruction of the Iraqi oil industry, the brigade needed an understanding of the oil industry due to its significant role in the economic and political planning and analysis.

Teaching the complexities of running a refinery in a single day is impossible, but Steve Koczirka, Operations Manager, and Aram Asdourian, Sr. Lead Engineer and Technical Supervisor, gave the reservists the most comprehensive overview of basic refinery operations that is possible. The group was provided with videos and printed materials to help prepare them for the visit to our refinery and for use while in Iraq.