the auxiliary source of compressed air produced by the fueled engine and intercooled compressor is directed into the steam injection piping then in a step 510 a determination is made as to whether the steam injection piping temperature has reached an acceptable level generally speaking for the frame 7 fa gas turbine engine discussed above the steam injection piping is desired to reach approximately 500 degrees fahrenheit if the temperature of the steam injection piping has not reached the desired temperature then compressed air continues to pass through the steam injection piping in order to raise the temperature of the steam injection piping as discussed with respect to step 508 once the steam injection piping has reached its desired operating temperature then in a step 512 the flow of air from the compressor to the piping is terminated once the steam injection piping is at its desired temperature then in step 514 at least a portion of the steam supply is directed through the piping and into the gas turbine engine as discussed above an air injection valve and air vent valve are opened to permit the flow of compressed air from the auxiliary source of compressed air to preheat the steam injection piping furthermore once the determination is made in step 510 that the piping has reached an acceptable temperature the air vent valve closes and steam injection valve opens directing steam from the hrsg through the piping it is understood that the use of steam and compressed air could overlap such that both fluids could be passing through the piping furthermore it is.