Claim: Chevron has denied accommodation to Louisiana National Guard helicopters battling the Gulf oil spill.
Example: [Collected via e-mail, June 2010]
As most of you already know the Louisiana National Guard is helping fight the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But did you know that the La. National Guard helicopters are being denied landing and purchase of fuel at the Chevron Venice base. Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI), Air Logistics, Bristow and one other helicopter base just north of Venice are allowing full use of their bases and fuel supplies to our La. Nat. Guard Units. If it were not for the permission of these bases to allow fueling and landing privileges, our Guard Copters would need to return to Hammond, La. for fuel and necessary provisions to continue the fight against this oil spill.
When Chevron was queried about the denial to use their base, the answer was that it would cause a "conflict of interest." Now just what the hell does that mean? I in fact know that some of Chevron's copter pilots were formally in the La. National Guard. And that when they were ordered to participate in the Iraq war they complained of poor health, bad backs, etc. They were discharged from the La. Guard, but of course bad health, bad backs, etc. they continued to fly for Chevron. Seems they were more interested in an easy pay check for weekend military duty with the La. Guard then service to their country.
From now on I will gladly refuel my vehicles at any other gas station that does not display the Chevron symbol since I now have a "conflict of interest" with you.
Origins: Although most of the blame and criticism regarding the Gulf of Mexico
However, a memorandum from Louisiana National Guard Commanding Colonel Patrick Bossetta issued in response to this rumor notes that Louisiana National Guard helicopters were not "being denied landing and purchase of fuel" at Chevron's facilities; the company merely requested "prior coordination" to minimize the impact on Chevron's day-to-day operations:
As the acting State Aviation Officer for the Louisiana Army National Guard, we have been tasked daily with supporting clean up and prevention efforts in Southeast Louisiana since The Louisiana National Guard appreciates Chevron's support during this operation as well as the support they have given us concerning their employees who are members of the Louisiana Army National Guard.
I am writing in reference to an anonymous e-mail sent out regarding Chevron, Inc.'s support of the Louisiana Army National Guard aircraft performing aviation missions in support of the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill.
Chevron Corporation's media team also told us that:
Chevron is providing both direct and indirect support to BP and the government to help stop the leak and assist with the spill response. In addition to providing access to our helicopter base, Chevron has provided:
Last updated: 3 June 2010