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Energy Action Month spotlights Airmen impacting operations

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October is Energy Action Month throughout the federal government. In the Air Force, Energy Action Month is the centerpiece of the "I am Air Force Energy" campaign to educate Airmen on ways they can maximize their energy efficiency and mission effectiveness.

The Service launched its month-long series of educational opportunities and activities with a letter to all Airmen from Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody. The leaders wrote, "Energy is a fundamental component of all Air Force operations. The smart use of energy means flying our aircraft farther, transporting more cargo and accomplishing our mission in a more efficient and effective way."

Throughout October, the Air Force will share innovative ways in which Airmen and their families can make more energy-aware choices. These include turning off lights, limiting the time vehicles idle, shutting down unnecessary appliances and other equipment and observing energy efficient behavior on the job. Implementing these sorts of best practices can have a significant impact on reducing energy demand.

"Since fiscal year 2011, the Air Force has created a ten percent increase in the distance we can carry a ton of cargo on a gallon of fuel, while simultaneously decreasing the related costs by more than eight percent," said Miranda Ballentine, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Energy. "This is one of many success stories driven by great suggestions from the field."

Airmen can submit their energy ideas at the Airmen Powered by Innovation website, which can be found at https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/USAF/ep/globalTab.do?channelPageId=s0ECF2BB844E64F620144F48AA2DF00BD.

Airmen have already greatly improved the Air Force's energy efficiency over the last several years. In 2013, the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, implemented scheduling and airspace initiatives which resulted in $30 Million in savings. Their innovations include giving scheduling priority to their closest air refueling tracks and creating a racetrack re-attack route at their drop zone, which trimmed 18 minutes of flying time per sortie. Enterprise-wide, the Air Force nearly doubled the use of alternative fuel sources in ground vehicles in 2013, as compared to 2008, and it increased the percentage of energy capacity from renewable sources to eight percent.

The Department of Energy recognized teams of Airmen from installations throughout the Air Force with eight of the coveted Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Awards. Of the 25 FEMP awards presented in 2014, 10 different government agencies were recognized, but none had more awardees than the Air Force. The eight Air Force winners included:

Helpful links for Energy Action Month:
http://www.safie.hq.af.mil/energy/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/AirForceEnergy
https://twitter.com/afenergy