Energy campaign kicks off: Everyone plays a role Published Oct. 10, 2012 By Air Force Civil Engineer SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Now is the time to promote to promote energy and water conservation awareness as part of Energy Conservation Month; a celebration the Air Force is embracing. This year's theme, 'I am Air Force Energy,' puts the Airmen at the center of the campaign. The goal is to inspire the Total Force to make a commitment to a continuous change in organizational and personal energy use, and help Airmen realize they can make a difference in overall Air Force energy efforts. During October, Air Force leadership is highlighting energy success stories from around the force with videos, fact sheets and articles distributed via the Air Force website, Facebook, YouTube and base newspapers. These stories will celebrate the innovative ideas and accomplishments of Airmen at all levels across the country and around the world providing energy-saving tips to save money and reduce energy and water use. "Every Airman is charged to 'make energy a consideration in all we do' and through active awareness and training programs we enforce that charge," said Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers, Air Force Civil Engineer commander. "We must take the lead in energy conservation, renewable energy utilization and energy security as the Air Force seeks to save energy, reduce costs and keep our country insulated from the volatility energy engenders." Air Force officials estimate more than $10 billion was spent on energy during fiscal year 2012, almost 10 percent of its total budget. "The Air Force is fully committed to improving resiliency, reducing demand, assuring supply and fostering an energy aware culture," said Terry Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of Air Force Installations, Environment and Logistics. "The overriding concern is to secure energy for the future." To improve energy and water conservation the Air Force community must improve resiliency, reduce demand, assure supply and foster an energy aware culture. This involves the hard work and innovation of each member Airman and Department of Defense employee to go above and beyond to make a real impact. Here are a few examples of energy saving initiatives implemented across the force: Improve resiliency Capt. Reid Touchberry, the energy manager at Misawa Air Base, Japan, helped get the power back on immediately following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. He led the 'Base Energy Nerve Cell' consisting of Airmen, Japanese engineers and contractors. The team tracked generator assets; developed contingency plans to restore power using large-scale mobile generators; developed and implemented an emergency conservation plan and promoted energy conservation across the base. The team's efforts will save an estimated $3 million annually. Reduce demand Air Mobility Command provides worldwide cargo and passenger delivery, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and transports humanitarian relief supplies in response to global disasters. Individuals in the command successfully implemented software that gives pilots the most energy-efficient altitude and speed based on atmospheric conditions. There was also an upgrade to the KC-135 engine and is funding a fuel efficiency initiative to reduce drag on the KC-10. The projected savings of these initiatives is projected to save the DOD $284 million during the next 10 years. Assuring supply To increase fuel supply the Air Force is looking for an alternative to domestic fuels. In support of this initiative, Thunderbirds pilot Maj. Aaron Jelinek flew the first solo flight on a 50/50 blend of JP-8 traditional jet fuel and a biomass fuel derived from plant seed oil and animal fat in 2011. Since then, Air Force official certified all aircraft on a 50/50 blend of JP-8 and synthetic fuel; and 80 percent of its aircraft on a 50/50 blend of JP-8 and biofuel. By 2016, the Air Force will be prepared to meet half of its domestic fuel requirement with alternative fuel blends. Fostering an aware culture The Air Force is implementing energy awareness training and education for everyone during basic training, officer training, technical school and more. There is also an online outreach module available to all Air Force personnel with a Common Access Card on the Advanced Distance Learning System. It provides energy tips specific to various job functions. For more information about energy conservation visit the following links: Facility Energy/Utility Program Community of Practice (Awareness folder): https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/community/views/home.aspx?Filter=OO-EN-CE-A4 Air Force Energy Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/AirForceEnergy Air Force Energy website: http://www.af.mil/energyinitiatives/index.asp AFCESA YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/afcesa Energy training module: https://afcesa.csd.disa.mil/kc/login/login.asp CE Portal EAM Page: https://cs.eis.af.mil/a7cportal/Pages/EAM.aspx SAF Energy Dashboard: https://cs.eis.af.mil/af-energy/default.aspx