SJ aircrew conducts first ever fly-over with biofuel

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Senior Airman Bennie Powell drains a fuel hose here, March 31, 2011. Airmen from Seymour Johnson will complete the first biomass-fueled flyover at the Philadelphia Phillies season opener April 1. Airman Powell hails from Troy, Ala., and is a 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron refueling maintenance technician. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert) (RELEASED)

SJ aircrew conducts first ever fly-over with biofuel

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Airman 1st Class Brandon Horne monitors the controls on a defueling operation panel here, March 31, 2011. The 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron fuel operations flight supports the base’s F-15E Strike Eagles and KC-135R Stratotanker fleet. Airmen from Seymour Johnson will complete the first biomass-fueled flyover at the Philadelphia Phillies season opener April 1. Airman Horne, 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron refueling operator, hails from Clinton. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert) (RELEASED)

SJ aircrew conducts first ever fly-over with biofuel

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Senior Airman David Alexander collects a fuel sample here, March 31, 2011. Airman Alexander samples jet petroleum fuel before mixing it with hydro-treated renewable jet fuel. Airman Alexander, 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron fuel lab technician, is a native of Vacaville, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert) (RELEASED)

SJ aircrew conducts first ever fly-over with biofuel

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Airman 1st Class Dane Reynolds directs a fuel truck to park here, March 31, 2011. The fuel truck is carrying hydroprocessed biomass fuels derived from various oils as a part of a U.S. Air Force initiative to explore new ways of decreasing energy demands and increasing supply through advanced planning tools. Airmen from Seymour Johnson will complete the first biomass-fueled flyover at the Philadelphia Phillies season opener April 1. Airman Reynolds is a 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief and a native of Indianapolis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert) (RELEASED)

SJ aircrew conducts first ever fly-over with biofuel

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Airman 1st Class Dane Reynolds connects a fuel hose to an F-15E Strike Eagle jet here, March 31, 2011. Airman Reynolds is fueling a jet for a flyover demonstration using environmentally safe fuel. U.S. Air Force leadership made a commitment to use alternative fuels and collect additional performance and flight information. Airmen from Seymour Johnson will complete the first biomass-fueled flyover at the Philadelphia Phillies season opener April 1. Airman Reynolds is a 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief and a native of Indianapolis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert) (RELEASED)

SJ aircrew conducts first ever fly-over with biofuel

Published March 31, 2011
By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airmen from Seymour Johnson will demonstrate the Air Force's commitment to the use of alternative fuels by participating in the first biomass-fueled flyover at the Philadelphia Phillies season opener at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia April 1.

Pilots and weapons system officers from the 335th Fighter Squadron will conduct a four aircraft flyover to support the Phillies as they open their season, including an aircraft flown using a 50-percent blend of traditional jet fuel and synthetic biofuel derived from plant oils grown in the northeastern United States to promote energy conservation and environmental consciousness, said Capt. Gordon Olde, 335th FS weapons system officer.

"[Biofuel] is a long-term investment strategically important to U.S. military operations," Captain Olde said, who is the lead WSO for the flyover.

Aircrew from Seymour Johnson were chosen to complete the flyover by the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office after receiving a request from the Phillies. Officials decided this event would serve as the first flyover using hydro-treated renewable jet aviation fuel to showcase the Air Force's commitment to "greener" solutions.

"The Air Force is committed to reducing our nation's dependence on foreign petroleum and is developing environmentally-friendly, domestically-produced alternative biofuels for our entire fleet of manned and unmanned aircraft," said Dr. Kevin Geiss, the deputy assistant secretary of energy for the Air Force.

Energy conservation and "greener solutions" are quickly becoming a top priority for the armed services, as President Barack Obama issues a mandatory reduction of energy and water consumption at bases over 20 year span.
"The flyover demonstrates the Air Force's leadership and commitment to using alternative fuels and also allows the Air Force to collect additional performance and flight information," according to a statement from the Air Combat Command alternative fuels certification office. "The Air Force will be ready and positioned to integrate cost-competitive, environmentally-friendly, domestically-produced alternative fuel blends by 2016."

Biofuel is a relatively new Air Force initiative designed by officials who continually search for new ways to decrease aircraft's impact on the environment. To date, the A-10, F-15, C-17, and F-22 aircraft have been tested and certified with a blend of traditional and hydro-treated renewable jet aviation fuel. Officials plan to complete testing on all Air Force aircraft by 2013, according to the ACC fuels certification office.

The long-term goal is to acquire 50 percent of all stateside fuel from domestically-produced alternative blends that are cleaner than fuel produced from conventional petroleum, Mr. Geiss said.

The Air Force continues to explore ways of decreasing energy demands and increasing supply through advanced planning tools for air operations, more energy efficient aircraft technology, "smart" building designs, increased simulator use, and the pursuit of alternative and renewable energy sources.