Air Force officials take step toward cleaner fuel, energy independence: "Air Force officials, embracing the national priorities of cleaner fuel and energy independence, took a step toward a greener, energy independent future when an A-10C Thunderbolt II here took to the air March 25 fueled with a blend of Hydrotreated Renewable Jet, or HRJ, and JP-8.
This first-ever feasibility flight demonstration was using HRJ, a hydrocarbon synthetic jet fuel, created from animal fats and plant oils. The flight was conducted by members of the 40th Flight Test Squadron, a developmental test squadron that is part of the Air Armament Center here.
'The Air Force is committed to reducing our reliance on foreign oil,' said Terry Yonkers, assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics. 'Our goal is to reduce demand, increase supply and change the culture and mindset of our fuel consumption.'
Although mission data has yet to be analyzed, just by leaving the ground the demonstration was considered a success. It proved an Air Force aircraft can be flown using a synthetic fuel blend."
