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U.S. Air Forces in Europe began a yearlong energy awareness campaign in October aimed at saving the command and the U.S. Air Force millions of dollars by focusing on making changes in energy use practices and processes.
“It’s important for Airmen, civilians, host nation employees and family members to embrace a cultural change in how we live and work to save energy,” said Maj. Gen. William Chambers, USAFE vice commander. “The USAFE Energy Awareness Campaign promotes persistent educational initiatives to ensure that everyone thinks about energy conservation in everything they do.”
The Air Force theme, “Secure Today’s Energy, Fuel Tomorrow’s Mission,”
literally hits home concerning air operations in USAFE.
The largest element of energy use within the Air Force is aviation fuel. In order to support the Air Force goal of reducing aviation fuel consumption 10 percent by 2015 against a fiscal year 2006 baseline, the USAFE directorate of Air and Space Operations provided aircrews in the command detailed guidance on fuel
conservation.
The guidance, part of the Air Force Aviation Operations Energy Plan 2010, outlines a deliberate process to make fuel conservation a priority for every aircraft sortie. For example, under the plan, mission planners, schedulers and aircrew members closely examine the fuel required to complete each mobility sortie and are empowered to adjust the amounts for efficiency. Eliminating additional fuel carried reduces overall aircraft gross weight, in turn reducing the fuel required for the sortie.
“In aviation operations, we burn fuel as part of our mission, but we do not take the cost lightly,” said Maj. Gen. Jack Egginton, USAFE director of air and space operations. “Our aviators work hard to maximize the amount of training they receive as well as the amount of mission they accomplish with every drop of fuel we use. We owe that to the U.S. taxpayer – our commitment to absolutely maximize our resources.
We also owe the U.S. taxpayer our commitment to continuing to provide them with the best security possible by continuing to field the best Air Force in the world.”
In addition to tackling aviation fuel use, USAFE also plans on reducing vehicle fuel use and building upon reductions in facility energy use through an aggressive
education and awareness campaign.
“During the first three quarters of fiscal year 2009, USAFE facilities reduced their energy consumption to 3,500 Million British Thermal Units,” said Jennifer Cooper, USAFE Energy Management campaign team facilitator.
That reduction is keeping USAFE command on track to reduce its energy consumption by 3 percent each fiscal year, beginning in 2006. For 2009, the goal is up to 12 percent, and USAFE is a fraction of a percent from meeting that goal.
“The water consumption reduction goal for USAFE is 2 percent each year beginning in 2008,” Ms. Cooper said. “We met that goal in 2008, and we’re only a fraction of a percent from meeting the 4 percent goal for 2009. We’ll have the numbers for the last quarter in a few weeks, and we’re expecting a favorable outcome.”
USAFE Energy Management working group members and base energy managers are planning a slew of educational efforts through news media, conferences, Web sites, pamphlets, fairs and several programs and events to promote energy conservation throughout the year’s campaign.
Some additional focus areas for the command will include developing guidance on motion-censored lights and the use of rainwater and gray water, researching energy efficient computer servers, and acquiring fuel efficient vehicles.
“The most important desired outcome of the entire campaign is to get individuals to realize that energy reduction starts with them, whether at home or work,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Atkinson, USAFE director of logistics, installations and mission support. “Not only do we have a responsibility to the USAFE and Air Force missions, but also to our children and our children’s children to ensure they have resources to draw from and a healthy environment in which to live.”
