McGuire AFB selected for Air Force energy initiatives program

Published March 16, 2007

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Air Force has selected McGuire AFB, N.J., as one of two test bases for its new energy initiatives pilot test program.

McGuire AFB and Barksdale AFB, La., were chosen due to their geographic locations, operational and facility characteristics.

The initiative will review buildings, offices, hangars and all other facilities on the base. In addition, the Air Force will look at fuel efficiencies and the introduction of alternative fuels in its ground vehicle fleet and in aviation operations, the program will evaluate ways to improve aviation fuel efficiencies by looking at flight planning, reducing excess weight and other initiatives. Best practices from the two energy pilot bases will be shared across the entire Air Force.

"We will endeavor to find the very best energy practices and test them in a "working base environment" to ensure that the ideas and programs work and can be replicated at other bases," remarked the Honorable William C. Anderson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics.

The Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB has played an integral leadership role in the Air Force's energy program and will continue to do so by leading the Air Force's synthetic fuels certification initiatives and coordination with other bases.

As the Air Force moves forward to achieving its underlying goal of promoting a culture where every Airman makes energy a consideration in everything that we do, the energy pilot base program is a positive step forward with exponential benefits.

"Our energy strategy continues to build on our strong performance in the past while capitalizing on new technology and procedures," said Mr. Anderson. "We are committed to finding alternative sources of domestic fuel both for our aviation and ground vehicles, while leading the way in using our energy resources wisely. "