CORRECTED: SecAF reflects on year's accomplishments, looks ahead in 'State of the Air Force' speech: "Air Force leaders will continue to use technology, efficient resourcing strategies and Airmen to strengthen combat power and meet changing security environment demands, the service's top civilian said during his keynote address at the 2010 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference Sept. 13.
Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley highlighted the year's total force successes, and pledged to ensure the service remains well-postured for tomorrow's challenges.
"The technology, resource and strategic dynamics in this environment make it imperative that we keep the pressure on ourselves, for we have yet more work to do in the immediate years ahead," Secretary Donley said.
The secretary added that Air Force officials will continue to face challenges such as the need for new missile defense and cyber requirements, greater situational awareness in space, recapitalization of satellites, and modernizing our aging aircraft inventories by bringing on the F-35, trainers, bombers and especially tankers.
Improving internal efficiencies and reallocating resources is not a new concept for the Air Force, the secretary said, citing the perennial task of acquisition improvement.
"Our ongoing tasks are to be better negotiators, know our internal business imperatives, understand contracts ... know our industrial base and respect that every dollar is an Air Force dollar, every dollar is a taxpayer dollar," Secretary Donley said.
The secretary noted "continuing and powerful" examples of Airmen in action such as members of the 100th Maintenance Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England, who purchased time- and cost-reducing work-assist vehicles in place of bulky B-4 stands currently used for aircraft inspections.
On the subject of long-range strike, Secretary Donley explained the Air Force would continue to work with the Department of Defense on "the next steps to advance the family of systems" -- the weapons, platforms, (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), electronic warfare and communications that make up this critical national capability."
In a review of the last 12 months, the secretary described the Year of the Air Force Family as a "focused assessment" of how the service supports Airmen and their families. He said the program identified successes and areas for improvement in current programs such as Airman resiliency, spouse support, the exceptional family member program, and military dependents' school transitioning among others.
Calling Airmen the "very best hedge we have against the future," Secretary Donley recognized the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year and the thousands of others who "translate their organizations, doctrine, training and equipment into combat power in the air, space and cyber domain."
"For ... the 12 represented as our Outstanding Airmen of the Year here, there are nearly 35,000 Airmen for each of them around the globe providing combat power for America," the secretary said.
Secretary Donley also lauded Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger as the epitome of an outstanding Airman for his heroic achievements and ultimate sacrifice in Laos 42 years ago. President Barack Obama will present a posthumous Medal of Honor to Chief Etchberger's family Sept. 21.
Overall, the secretary emphasized that along with the Air Force's balanced approach to investments, wise application of technologies and strengthened commitment to efficiencies, the service's true strength lies in Airmen who deliver global vigilance, reach and power "upon which our joint and coalition partners depend."
Monday, September 13, 2010
SecAF reflects on year's accomplishments, looks ahead in 'State of the Air Force' speech
SecAF reflects on year's accomplishments, looks ahead in 'State of the Air Force' speech: "More than 1,000 attendees were on hand for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition on Sept. 13 at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md.
During the ceremonies, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Joseph Sutter, Air Force Association chairman of the board, presented numerous awards that recognized significant contributions to the service's joint and global missions.
In his opening remarks, General Schwartz thanked Airmen for their commitment to serve with the utmost integrity and professionalism
"As professionals, we are obligated to make thoughtful and enduring contributions to our profession, and leave it better for our successors who will continue to pursue our proud traditions," General Schwartz said.
Air Force senior leaders presented the following awards during the opening ceremonies:
-- SecAF Safety Award, Category I: Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
-- SecAF Safety Award, Category II: U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
-- Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award: Mara Wight, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
-- Gill Robb Wilson Award: Col. John Andreas Olsen, Royal Norwegian Air Force.
-- Citation of Honor: 55th Electronic Combat Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
-- General Curtis E. Lemay Award: Crew of Bone 21, 37th Bomb Squadron, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
-- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Thomas N. Barnes Award: Staff Sgt. Damon T. Thurman, 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
-- Outstanding ANG Unit: 176th Operations Group, Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska.
-- Air Force Reserve Unit Award: 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB, N.C.
The three-day conference and exposition features more than four-dozen expert panelists and Air Force senior leaders who will address topics of key interest in today's Air Force. The conference is open to all services' active duty, Reserve and Guard enlisted members and officers, as well as civilians, retirees, veterans and industry partners.
"
During the ceremonies, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Joseph Sutter, Air Force Association chairman of the board, presented numerous awards that recognized significant contributions to the service's joint and global missions.
In his opening remarks, General Schwartz thanked Airmen for their commitment to serve with the utmost integrity and professionalism
"As professionals, we are obligated to make thoughtful and enduring contributions to our profession, and leave it better for our successors who will continue to pursue our proud traditions," General Schwartz said.
Air Force senior leaders presented the following awards during the opening ceremonies:
-- SecAF Safety Award, Category I: Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
-- SecAF Safety Award, Category II: U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
-- Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award: Mara Wight, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
-- Gill Robb Wilson Award: Col. John Andreas Olsen, Royal Norwegian Air Force.
-- Citation of Honor: 55th Electronic Combat Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
-- General Curtis E. Lemay Award: Crew of Bone 21, 37th Bomb Squadron, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
-- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Thomas N. Barnes Award: Staff Sgt. Damon T. Thurman, 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
-- Outstanding ANG Unit: 176th Operations Group, Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska.
-- Air Force Reserve Unit Award: 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB, N.C.
The three-day conference and exposition features more than four-dozen expert panelists and Air Force senior leaders who will address topics of key interest in today's Air Force. The conference is open to all services' active duty, Reserve and Guard enlisted members and officers, as well as civilians, retirees, veterans and industry partners.
"
DOD to reduce fuel, water consumption
DOD to reduce fuel, water consumption: "Defense Department officials plan to reduce the military's water and fossil fuels consumption by more than 20 percent in the next decade, under an Obama administration plan to make government agencies better stewards of the environment.
Ashton B. Carter, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, wrote in the DOD's portion of the Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan that the DOD's priorities for 2010 and 2011 are to invest in fixed installations, enhance buildings and ensure sustainability concepts in doctrine and policy.
White House officials released the plan Sept. 9. It includes a roadmap submitted from officials in each department, outlining how they will reduce their impact on the environment while meeting mission goals. The plan is the result of an executive order by President Barack Obama.
The department's goals are in line with the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, which highlighted for the first time the importance of having a strategic approach to climate change and energy.
"Our military's heavy reliance on fossil fuels creates significant risks and costs at a tactical, as well as a strategic level," Mr. Carter wrote in the plan. "We measure these costs in lost dollars, in reduced mission effectiveness, and in U.S. Soldiers' lives. Freeing warfighters from the tether of fuel will significantly improve our mission effectiveness, as will reducing our installations' dependence on costly fossil fuels and a potentially fragile power grid."
The DOD's eight overarching goals include:
-- Reducing the use of fossil fuels in facilities and vehicles, while using renewable sources of energy
-- Improving water management
-- Further reducing greenhouse gas emissions to a 34 percent reduction since fiscal 2008
-- Curbing greenhouse gases further through contracted landfill disposal, increased teleworking and less air travel
-- Reducing and better managing solid waste, such as by using less paper
-- Minimizing chemicals released into the environment through better electronics disposal and pesticide applications
-- Promoting sustainability as the norm in procurements and buildings
-- Building sustainability into management systems, and with coordination with local and regional planning boards
The goals apply to all of the department's mission and program areas, with the objective of incorporating sustainability principles into daily operations, officials said.
Making such changes will improve mission effectiveness, while enhancing the environment, said Shannon Cunniff, the DOD's director of chemical and material risk management.
She added that implementation will be challenging.
"Implementing the plan won't be easy, but it will be rewarding," she said. "We'll lower our vulnerabilities associated with reliance on fossil fuels and a fragile power grid, and preserve other assets critical to our readiness and training and, over the long run, we'll save money by doing so. It's a win-win-win (situation)."
The DOD has been recognized in recent years as a leader in environmental sustainability, and Ms. Cunniff said she expects that to continue under the new plan.
The DOD "has the innovative spirit and creativity, as well as the mission benefits, to drive successful implementation of the plan," she said.
"I'll bet that (the Defense Department) can and will lead the nation in making smart investments that protect assets for current and future generations to enjoy and use," she added.
The federal government occupies nearly 500,000 buildings, operates more than 600,000 vehicles, employs more than 1.8 million civilians, and purchases more than $500 billion per year in goods and services. As the single-largest energy consumer in the U.S. economy, the federal government spent more than $24.5 billion on electricity and fuel in 2008 alone, officials said in a White House news release.
Executive Order 13514, issued Oct. 5, 2009, requires agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, increase energy efficiency, reduce fleet petroleum consumption, conserve water, reduce waste, support sustainable communities, and leverage federal purchasing power to promote environmentally responsible products and technologies.
To promote accountability, annual progress will be measured by the Office of Management and Budget and be reported online to the public."
Ashton B. Carter, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, wrote in the DOD's portion of the Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan that the DOD's priorities for 2010 and 2011 are to invest in fixed installations, enhance buildings and ensure sustainability concepts in doctrine and policy.
White House officials released the plan Sept. 9. It includes a roadmap submitted from officials in each department, outlining how they will reduce their impact on the environment while meeting mission goals. The plan is the result of an executive order by President Barack Obama.
The department's goals are in line with the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, which highlighted for the first time the importance of having a strategic approach to climate change and energy.
"Our military's heavy reliance on fossil fuels creates significant risks and costs at a tactical, as well as a strategic level," Mr. Carter wrote in the plan. "We measure these costs in lost dollars, in reduced mission effectiveness, and in U.S. Soldiers' lives. Freeing warfighters from the tether of fuel will significantly improve our mission effectiveness, as will reducing our installations' dependence on costly fossil fuels and a potentially fragile power grid."
The DOD's eight overarching goals include:
-- Reducing the use of fossil fuels in facilities and vehicles, while using renewable sources of energy
-- Improving water management
-- Further reducing greenhouse gas emissions to a 34 percent reduction since fiscal 2008
-- Curbing greenhouse gases further through contracted landfill disposal, increased teleworking and less air travel
-- Reducing and better managing solid waste, such as by using less paper
-- Minimizing chemicals released into the environment through better electronics disposal and pesticide applications
-- Promoting sustainability as the norm in procurements and buildings
-- Building sustainability into management systems, and with coordination with local and regional planning boards
The goals apply to all of the department's mission and program areas, with the objective of incorporating sustainability principles into daily operations, officials said.
Making such changes will improve mission effectiveness, while enhancing the environment, said Shannon Cunniff, the DOD's director of chemical and material risk management.
She added that implementation will be challenging.
"Implementing the plan won't be easy, but it will be rewarding," she said. "We'll lower our vulnerabilities associated with reliance on fossil fuels and a fragile power grid, and preserve other assets critical to our readiness and training and, over the long run, we'll save money by doing so. It's a win-win-win (situation)."
The DOD has been recognized in recent years as a leader in environmental sustainability, and Ms. Cunniff said she expects that to continue under the new plan.
The DOD "has the innovative spirit and creativity, as well as the mission benefits, to drive successful implementation of the plan," she said.
"I'll bet that (the Defense Department) can and will lead the nation in making smart investments that protect assets for current and future generations to enjoy and use," she added.
The federal government occupies nearly 500,000 buildings, operates more than 600,000 vehicles, employs more than 1.8 million civilians, and purchases more than $500 billion per year in goods and services. As the single-largest energy consumer in the U.S. economy, the federal government spent more than $24.5 billion on electricity and fuel in 2008 alone, officials said in a White House news release.
Executive Order 13514, issued Oct. 5, 2009, requires agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, increase energy efficiency, reduce fleet petroleum consumption, conserve water, reduce waste, support sustainable communities, and leverage federal purchasing power to promote environmentally responsible products and technologies.
To promote accountability, annual progress will be measured by the Office of Management and Budget and be reported online to the public."
Navy Searches for John Paul Jones' Ship
Navy Searches for John Paul Jones' Ship: "The U.S. Navy, in conjunction with the Ocean Technology Foundation (OTF), the British Royal navy and the French navy, is leading participation in a search for the remains of the revolutionary warship Bonhomme Richard off the coast of Flamborough Head, England, the week of Sept. 10.
The search is expected to take approximately 10 days.
The Bonhomme Richard was a frigate given by France to John Paul Jones and the Continental Navy in support of the Revolutionary War. John Paul Jones renamed the ship Bonhomme Richard (Good Man Richard) in honor of his patron Benjamin Franklin, who used the pen name Richard Saunders to publish "Poor Richard's Almanac."
The oceanographic survey ship USNS Henson (T-AGS 63), operated by Military Sealift Command for the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, will be the primary platform for the search. The survey crew is comprised of oceanographers from the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) who planned and coordinated the U.S. Navy's participation in this search.
Representatives from the U.S. Naval Academy, Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval History and Heritage Command will also be aboard Henson to assist in the search and identification of found artifacts.
The search planning process included use of a computer program developed by the faculty of the U.S. Naval Academy that integrates historical data, crew actions and last known position to establish where the ship is most likely to be found.
Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, was lost off the coast of England in 1779 after a decisive battle with HMS Serapis, during which Jones shouted his famous words, "I have not yet begun to fight." Jones and his crew emerged from the battle victorious, seizing HMS Serapis as Bonhomme Richard sustained heavy damage during the battle and sank 36 hours later. The discovery of the Bonhomme Richard would be one of the most important archeological discoveries in U.S. Navy history.
"Over their years of active service, the Navy's oceanographic ships have sailed hundreds of thousands of nautical miles collecting critical oceanographic and hydrographic data that enable decision superiority across the spectrum of naval operations," said Rear Adm. Jonathan W. White, commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMETOC). "I consider it an honor that our cutting edge naval ocean survey technology now will now be used to forge a connection with this historic ship and its commander and U.S. Navy hero, John Paul Jones."
Survey equipment will include Henson's towed side-scan sonar, unmanned underwater vehicles with side-scan and multibeam sonar, as well as ONR's unmanned underwater vehicles equipped with buried mine identification (BMI). The BMI system, consisting of an ultra-sensitive laser scalar gradiometer, a side-scan sonar and electro-optical imager, will employ technology used for identifying mines buried in the ocean bottom to find remnants of the Bonhomme Richard. A French navy mine-hunter with embarked divers will join the search to dive on any artifacts that require closer inspection.
This is the fifth expedition organized by the OTF in which the Navy has participated. This year's effort is the largest collaboration to date and includes the most substantial support by U.S. Navy assets.
NMETOC directs the Navy's meteorology and oceanography programs, maintains the Navy's atomic clock for precise time and tracks the positions of the stars for navigation. The command is comprised of approximately 3,000 officers, enlisted and civilian personnel stationed around the world. Naval oceanography enables the safety, speed and operational effectiveness of the fleet by illuminating the risks and opportunities for naval and joint forces posed by the present and future natural environment. NAVOCEANO is NMETOC's largest subordinate command.
"
The search is expected to take approximately 10 days.
The Bonhomme Richard was a frigate given by France to John Paul Jones and the Continental Navy in support of the Revolutionary War. John Paul Jones renamed the ship Bonhomme Richard (Good Man Richard) in honor of his patron Benjamin Franklin, who used the pen name Richard Saunders to publish "Poor Richard's Almanac."
The oceanographic survey ship USNS Henson (T-AGS 63), operated by Military Sealift Command for the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, will be the primary platform for the search. The survey crew is comprised of oceanographers from the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) who planned and coordinated the U.S. Navy's participation in this search.
Representatives from the U.S. Naval Academy, Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval History and Heritage Command will also be aboard Henson to assist in the search and identification of found artifacts.
The search planning process included use of a computer program developed by the faculty of the U.S. Naval Academy that integrates historical data, crew actions and last known position to establish where the ship is most likely to be found.
Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, was lost off the coast of England in 1779 after a decisive battle with HMS Serapis, during which Jones shouted his famous words, "I have not yet begun to fight." Jones and his crew emerged from the battle victorious, seizing HMS Serapis as Bonhomme Richard sustained heavy damage during the battle and sank 36 hours later. The discovery of the Bonhomme Richard would be one of the most important archeological discoveries in U.S. Navy history.
"Over their years of active service, the Navy's oceanographic ships have sailed hundreds of thousands of nautical miles collecting critical oceanographic and hydrographic data that enable decision superiority across the spectrum of naval operations," said Rear Adm. Jonathan W. White, commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMETOC). "I consider it an honor that our cutting edge naval ocean survey technology now will now be used to forge a connection with this historic ship and its commander and U.S. Navy hero, John Paul Jones."
Survey equipment will include Henson's towed side-scan sonar, unmanned underwater vehicles with side-scan and multibeam sonar, as well as ONR's unmanned underwater vehicles equipped with buried mine identification (BMI). The BMI system, consisting of an ultra-sensitive laser scalar gradiometer, a side-scan sonar and electro-optical imager, will employ technology used for identifying mines buried in the ocean bottom to find remnants of the Bonhomme Richard. A French navy mine-hunter with embarked divers will join the search to dive on any artifacts that require closer inspection.
This is the fifth expedition organized by the OTF in which the Navy has participated. This year's effort is the largest collaboration to date and includes the most substantial support by U.S. Navy assets.
NMETOC directs the Navy's meteorology and oceanography programs, maintains the Navy's atomic clock for precise time and tracks the positions of the stars for navigation. The command is comprised of approximately 3,000 officers, enlisted and civilian personnel stationed around the world. Naval oceanography enables the safety, speed and operational effectiveness of the fleet by illuminating the risks and opportunities for naval and joint forces posed by the present and future natural environment. NAVOCEANO is NMETOC's largest subordinate command.
"
Navy Commissions Newest Anti-Terrorism, Force Protection Unit on 9/11
Navy Commissions Newest Anti-Terrorism, Force Protection Unit on 9/11: "The Navy's newest anti-terrorism and force protection unit, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 11, was commissioned Sept. 11 during a ceremony aboard Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif.
MSRON 11, formerly known as a mobile security squadron, is a specialized security unit tasked with providing rapidly deployable anti-terrorism and force protection units to Navy assets in local harbors and foreign ports.
"The name changed from mobile security squadrons to maritime expeditionary security squadrons, and the units have been restructured and they are being refined," said Rear Adm. Michael Shatynski, Vice Commander, Naval Surface Forces. "That is a testament to the adaptability of the forces, the adaptability of what you can do to combat an ever-changing and ever more dangerous foe."
MSRONs were established following terrorist attacks abroad, particularly the bombing of USS Cole (DDG 67) in 2000. MSRON 11 becomes the newest addition to a security force that provides protection to inshore and coastal anchorages, harbors and port facilities.
"This team is made up of highly capable Sailors who are responsible for the protection of our country's most valuable Navy assets," said Capt. Gary Buchanan, MSRON 11 commanding officer. "They provide the highest possible level of protection against sea and land-based threats. In a nutshell, they prevent what happened to USS Cole from happening again."
The commissioning ceremony was held on the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
"This day not only signifies the ceremonial establishment of one of our nation's newest fighting forces, it also allows us all to reflect back on a day we will all remember throughout our lives," Buchanan said.
MSRON 11, comprised of approximately 300 Sailors, will be home ported at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif. and is under the stewardship of U.S. Pacific Fleet.
"
MSRON 11, formerly known as a mobile security squadron, is a specialized security unit tasked with providing rapidly deployable anti-terrorism and force protection units to Navy assets in local harbors and foreign ports.
"The name changed from mobile security squadrons to maritime expeditionary security squadrons, and the units have been restructured and they are being refined," said Rear Adm. Michael Shatynski, Vice Commander, Naval Surface Forces. "That is a testament to the adaptability of the forces, the adaptability of what you can do to combat an ever-changing and ever more dangerous foe."
MSRONs were established following terrorist attacks abroad, particularly the bombing of USS Cole (DDG 67) in 2000. MSRON 11 becomes the newest addition to a security force that provides protection to inshore and coastal anchorages, harbors and port facilities.
"This team is made up of highly capable Sailors who are responsible for the protection of our country's most valuable Navy assets," said Capt. Gary Buchanan, MSRON 11 commanding officer. "They provide the highest possible level of protection against sea and land-based threats. In a nutshell, they prevent what happened to USS Cole from happening again."
The commissioning ceremony was held on the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
"This day not only signifies the ceremonial establishment of one of our nation's newest fighting forces, it also allows us all to reflect back on a day we will all remember throughout our lives," Buchanan said.
MSRON 11, comprised of approximately 300 Sailors, will be home ported at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif. and is under the stewardship of U.S. Pacific Fleet.
"
Loosening of controls on exports draws fire - Washington Times
Loosening of controls on exports draws fire - Washington Times: "The Obama administration's overhaul of regulations aimed at loosening controls on the export of some military technology is drawing fire from groups that monitor arms proliferation but praise from trade groups.
President Obama on Tuesday announced the export-control policies in a video during the Commerce Department's annual conference on updates to export controls.
The policy seeks to streamline and standardize the licensing process for defense-related exports and create a new unified enforcement agency to crack down on violators of the export controls.
Currently, the Commerce and State departments administer controls on the licensing of munitions and sensitive dual-use exports, a long-standing source of concern for the U.S. defense industry that complains of delays and the byzantine nature of the bureaucracy. Dual-use items have both military and civilian applications.
'Going forward, we will have a single, tiered, positive list — one which will allow us to build higher walls around the export of our most sensitive items while allowing the export of less-critical ones under less-restrictive conditions,' Mr. Obama said Tuesday,"
President Obama on Tuesday announced the export-control policies in a video during the Commerce Department's annual conference on updates to export controls.
The policy seeks to streamline and standardize the licensing process for defense-related exports and create a new unified enforcement agency to crack down on violators of the export controls.
Currently, the Commerce and State departments administer controls on the licensing of munitions and sensitive dual-use exports, a long-standing source of concern for the U.S. defense industry that complains of delays and the byzantine nature of the bureaucracy. Dual-use items have both military and civilian applications.
'Going forward, we will have a single, tiered, positive list — one which will allow us to build higher walls around the export of our most sensitive items while allowing the export of less-critical ones under less-restrictive conditions,' Mr. Obama said Tuesday,"
C-17 biofuel flight tests conclude
C-17 biofuel flight tests conclude: "The Air Force's ongoing alternative fuels certification efforts reached a new milestone Aug. 27, 2010, when a C-17 Globemaster III from here flew on all engines using jet fuel blended with a combination of traditional petroleum-based fuel, or JP-8, biofuel derived in part from animal fat, and synthetic fuel derived from coal.
The 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards conducted the flight tests Aug. 23 to 27. The flight was a first for any Department of Defense aircraft where a 50 percent mix of traditional petroleum-based JP-8 was blended with 25 percent renewable biofuel and 25 percent fuel derived from the Fischer-Tropsch process, essentially liquefied coal or natural gas. It was also the first time an aircraft from Edwards had used fuel derived from beef tallow, essentially waste animal fat.
"The C-17 fleet is the biggest Air Force consumer of jet fuel annually," said Lt. Gen. Mark Shackelford, Military Deputy, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition). "This is a big step forward in achieving the Air Force's energy goal of increasing the available supply of fuel by acquiring half of the Air Force's domestic jet fuel requirement from domestically derived, environmentally friendly alternatives sources by 2016."
For several years the Air Force has been looking at alternate sources of fuel to support their operations, said James Holther, 418 FLTS project engineer for biofuel testing.
"The first thing the Air Force did was look at Fischer-Tropsch fuels that use natural gas or coal as the feedstock and this is just a continuation of that ongoing effort," he said. "The fuel we're testing this time around is a biofuel manufactured with biomass as the feedstock."
The hydro-treated renewable jet fuel used by the C-17 contains biomass that can be made from either animal fats or plant extracts such as camelina, a weed-like plant not used for food. The HRJ is blended with regular JP-8 jet fuel for the testing to gather data to support Air Force transport aircraft certification on alternative fuels from various feedstocks.
The Air Force Fuels Certification Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, has certified more than 85 percent of all Air Force aircraft to use Fischer-Tropsch derived fuels and is now focusing efforts on certifying aircraft to fly on HRJ biofuel blends.
"When the certification effort is completed, it won't matter what feedstock or process was used to make the fuel, we will simply call it 'JP-8,'" said Jeff Braun, director of the Air Force Fuel Certification Office.
Mr. Braun added that his office tests and manages certification of 'drop-in' alternative fuel blends that will require no modification to aircraft or ground equipment. It also would necessarily provide the desired performance and burn as clean or cleaner than current JP-8, as demonstrated during the ground engine emission evaluation conducted as part of the C-17 test program.
"We want maintainers, aircrews and fuels handlers to be able to say they can perceive absolutely no difference between traditional JP-8 and the alternative blends," Mr. Braun said.
The testing process featured the C-17 flying with different combinations of HRJ and JP-8.
Mr. Holther said the testing required the Globemaster III to perform several maneuvers at different altitudes such as decelerating and then accelerating to see how the plane responds with the HRJ mixed in.
The 418 FLTS took precautionary measures to build up to the final test day.
"On Monday three engines had JP-8 and one engine had a blend of 50-50 biofuel and the JP-8 -- it's part of a safety build-up," said Mr. Holther. "We'll build up to putting the fuel in all four engines by verifying the performance differences are insignificant between the blended fuel engine and the regular fuel engines."
On Aug. 24, the test team expanded the evaluation by utilizing the HRJ blended fuel in all four engines, flying the aircraft on 50 percent biofuel.
A successful test is signified when the C-17 performs with little or no difference between the blended fuel and JP-8.
"The C-17 HRJ ground and flight testing went very well," said Patrick Terry, project manager. "The tests were uneventful, as was expected based on the results of previous similar HRJ fuel tested at Eglin AFB this year on other aircraft (the A-10 Thunderbolt II)."
"Preliminary results show very little noticeable difference between the performance of the JP-8 and the bio-fuel blends that were tested. A detailed analysis will be completed in the next few months," said Mr. Terry.
The flight testing culminated Aug. 27 with the C-17 using a blend of 25 percent HRJ, 50 percent JP-8 and 25 percent Fischer-Tropsch fuel mixture.
The potential use of alternative fuel could provide the Air Force with more options and greater flexibility in the future.
"This is an opportunity for us to investigate the possible use of clean, renewable fuel sources," said Lt. Col. Clifton Janney, 418 FLTS commander. "If successful, it can broaden the spectrum of fuels that we can use Air Force-wide."
Mr. Holther said successful testing of the HRJ with the C-17 will be used by the AFCO to support certification of the biofuel in military and commercial transport aircraft.
"This test we are doing with the C-17 and biofuel is considered a 'pathfinder' effort, which means similar aircraft, like the C-5, might be qualified to use this fuel based on the test results we get with the C-17," said Mr. Holther.
Mr. Braun said lessons learned from certifying individual airframes on Fischer-Tropsch fuels has been applied to the HRJ alternative fuel certification process, which will enable accelerated certification using pathfinder aircraft, then certifying other systems by similarity. The F-22 is the planned pathfinder for certifying the fighter fleet, and Global Hawk is being explored for platforms which operate at high-altitude.
"
The 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards conducted the flight tests Aug. 23 to 27. The flight was a first for any Department of Defense aircraft where a 50 percent mix of traditional petroleum-based JP-8 was blended with 25 percent renewable biofuel and 25 percent fuel derived from the Fischer-Tropsch process, essentially liquefied coal or natural gas. It was also the first time an aircraft from Edwards had used fuel derived from beef tallow, essentially waste animal fat.
"The C-17 fleet is the biggest Air Force consumer of jet fuel annually," said Lt. Gen. Mark Shackelford, Military Deputy, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition). "This is a big step forward in achieving the Air Force's energy goal of increasing the available supply of fuel by acquiring half of the Air Force's domestic jet fuel requirement from domestically derived, environmentally friendly alternatives sources by 2016."
For several years the Air Force has been looking at alternate sources of fuel to support their operations, said James Holther, 418 FLTS project engineer for biofuel testing.
"The first thing the Air Force did was look at Fischer-Tropsch fuels that use natural gas or coal as the feedstock and this is just a continuation of that ongoing effort," he said. "The fuel we're testing this time around is a biofuel manufactured with biomass as the feedstock."
The hydro-treated renewable jet fuel used by the C-17 contains biomass that can be made from either animal fats or plant extracts such as camelina, a weed-like plant not used for food. The HRJ is blended with regular JP-8 jet fuel for the testing to gather data to support Air Force transport aircraft certification on alternative fuels from various feedstocks.
The Air Force Fuels Certification Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, has certified more than 85 percent of all Air Force aircraft to use Fischer-Tropsch derived fuels and is now focusing efforts on certifying aircraft to fly on HRJ biofuel blends.
"When the certification effort is completed, it won't matter what feedstock or process was used to make the fuel, we will simply call it 'JP-8,'" said Jeff Braun, director of the Air Force Fuel Certification Office.
Mr. Braun added that his office tests and manages certification of 'drop-in' alternative fuel blends that will require no modification to aircraft or ground equipment. It also would necessarily provide the desired performance and burn as clean or cleaner than current JP-8, as demonstrated during the ground engine emission evaluation conducted as part of the C-17 test program.
"We want maintainers, aircrews and fuels handlers to be able to say they can perceive absolutely no difference between traditional JP-8 and the alternative blends," Mr. Braun said.
The testing process featured the C-17 flying with different combinations of HRJ and JP-8.
Mr. Holther said the testing required the Globemaster III to perform several maneuvers at different altitudes such as decelerating and then accelerating to see how the plane responds with the HRJ mixed in.
The 418 FLTS took precautionary measures to build up to the final test day.
"On Monday three engines had JP-8 and one engine had a blend of 50-50 biofuel and the JP-8 -- it's part of a safety build-up," said Mr. Holther. "We'll build up to putting the fuel in all four engines by verifying the performance differences are insignificant between the blended fuel engine and the regular fuel engines."
On Aug. 24, the test team expanded the evaluation by utilizing the HRJ blended fuel in all four engines, flying the aircraft on 50 percent biofuel.
A successful test is signified when the C-17 performs with little or no difference between the blended fuel and JP-8.
"The C-17 HRJ ground and flight testing went very well," said Patrick Terry, project manager. "The tests were uneventful, as was expected based on the results of previous similar HRJ fuel tested at Eglin AFB this year on other aircraft (the A-10 Thunderbolt II)."
"Preliminary results show very little noticeable difference between the performance of the JP-8 and the bio-fuel blends that were tested. A detailed analysis will be completed in the next few months," said Mr. Terry.
The flight testing culminated Aug. 27 with the C-17 using a blend of 25 percent HRJ, 50 percent JP-8 and 25 percent Fischer-Tropsch fuel mixture.
The potential use of alternative fuel could provide the Air Force with more options and greater flexibility in the future.
"This is an opportunity for us to investigate the possible use of clean, renewable fuel sources," said Lt. Col. Clifton Janney, 418 FLTS commander. "If successful, it can broaden the spectrum of fuels that we can use Air Force-wide."
Mr. Holther said successful testing of the HRJ with the C-17 will be used by the AFCO to support certification of the biofuel in military and commercial transport aircraft.
"This test we are doing with the C-17 and biofuel is considered a 'pathfinder' effort, which means similar aircraft, like the C-5, might be qualified to use this fuel based on the test results we get with the C-17," said Mr. Holther.
Mr. Braun said lessons learned from certifying individual airframes on Fischer-Tropsch fuels has been applied to the HRJ alternative fuel certification process, which will enable accelerated certification using pathfinder aircraft, then certifying other systems by similarity. The F-22 is the planned pathfinder for certifying the fighter fleet, and Global Hawk is being explored for platforms which operate at high-altitude.
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