DLA Energy strengthens coalition readiness at Five Eyes interoperability talks in Hawaii

Defense Logistics Agency Energy leaders and technical experts met with allied counterparts in Honolulu from March 23-27 to advance common fuel logistics standards across the Five Eyes alliance, a move aimed at tightening interoperability for joint operations and exercises.

Hosted under the Air Force Interoperability Council, representatives from the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom focused on harmonizing specifications, testing and certification for aviation energy. The council’s Fuels, Lubricants and Gases Working Group serves as the forum for aligning those technical baselines so forces can receive, provide and share fuel support across national lines during missions.

“The FLG Working Group’s most significant challenge is rapidly aligning fuel and energy standards across all five nations as new technologies and operational concepts emerge,” said Patricia Wilkins, director of DLA Energy’s Quality Technical Directorate. “Each partner is modernizing at a different pace, introducing synthetic aviation fuels, updated quality assurance systems and infrastructure changes, making synchronized certification, testing and interoperability the central hurdle to seamless coalition operations.”

A major outcome from the summit was an updated Five Eyes Air Information Publication detailing which nations authorize specific blends of synthetic aviation fuel. Officials said the update is designed to simplify planning, expand refueling options and enhance readiness by clarifying where and how sustainable aviation fuel can be used across allied airfields.

The working group also oriented its technical agenda around modern operational concepts such as Agile Combat Employment and Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control. “We’re focusing on identifying portable testing, aligning contamination check procedures and improving how fuel quality data is shared during operations,” Wilkins said.

Participants noted that synchronizing national requirements remains complex but critical to avoid uneven fuel quality assurance in coalition scenarios. The engagement also aligned with DLA’s long-term strategy to bolster precision, posture and partnerships, while improving visibility of allied infrastructure to support more resilient global supply chains.

“Hearing counterparts describe nearly identical issues — whether it’s integrating new fuel-testing technologies, managing aging infrastructure, or preparing for ACE — reinforced that our problems are shared, and so are the solutions,” Wilkins noted. “It’s a reminder that collaboration isn’t just beneficial; it’s the fastest path to real progress,” Wilkins noted.

Officials said the council’s work is intended to underpin a future-ready coalition logistics network capable of keeping pace with emerging fuels, evolving quality systems and rapid operational demands.