Energy superstars set shining examples, get cash for future initiatives

Published Oct. 29, 2011
By Capt. Kathleen Ferrero
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The red carpet unrolled as Air Mobility Command honored its energy efficiency superstars, wrapping up Energy Awareness Month with a celebration of innovation.

Both the facility and aviation fuel efficiency offices recognized at total of six individuals and 42 units with awards and incentives for outstanding energy stewardship.

This is the third year of AMC's Facility Energy Incentive Award program. The Installations and Mission Support Directorate granted awards to the top three wings that excelled at saving energy on the ground. In addition to Travis Air Force Base's top prize of $100,000, Joint Base Charleston received $75,000, and Little Rock Air Force Base received $50,000.

Wing leaders can use the money at their discretion but are encouraged to reinvest it in future initiatives, said Mr. Steve Kalmer, AMC energy and utilities engineering program manager.

For example, last year Dover Air Force Base reinvested its $50,000 incentive in a solar hot water system for one of its dormitories, with construction scheduled to begin in January, said Mr. Charles Mikula at the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst used its $75,000 to help fund an 18-vehicle solar carport structure, said Mr. Barry Miller, base resource efficiency manager.

With its FY10 award of $100,000, Travis Air Force Base purchased two vertical axis wind turbines to install on the golf course and invested in a human powered gym, which would use retrofitted elliptical machines to capture energy generated by the exercisers, said Ms. Allison Greco, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron.

On the installations side of the house, Travis Air Force Base led the individual and unit-level honors this year, receiving more than $200,000 in combined incentives. During FY 2011, Team Travis worked on new energy projects that are expected to reap more than double the investment in savings.

As part of their effort, they conducted a rigorous awareness campaign that helped to slash electricity use by 7 percent in just one month, thanks in part to individual top winner Ms. Allison Greco of the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Mobility Air Forces leadership, along with the AMC Fuel Efficiency Office, also recognized standouts in aviation fuel savings for the first time this year.

Honorees received cash incentives as part of their efforts -- and there is more to come, said Col. Bobby Fowler, AMC Fuel Efficiency Office director. He said they will also recognize the top three overall winners at the Airlift/Tanker Association Convention and Symposium Nov. 3-6.

The Air Force is the second largest consumer of energy in the federal government and has set multiple goals to reduce consumption and increase energy security.

As AMC leans forward to support these goals, mission accomplishment remains the ultimate goal.

Col. Kevin Trayer, AMC Fuel Efficiency Office director of operations, said "effectiveness in mobility air forces" is the cornerstone of what AMC is doing in its energy conservation efforts.

"Getting (resources) to the warfighter on the ground is our first priority. As we accomplish that, we also exercise the responsibility of being good stewards of our nation's resources," Trayer said.

Below is a list of this year's energy conservation superstars. For more information about the AMC's green incentives, visit www.amc.af.mil/energy.

Installation Energy Conservation Excellence

Individual Awards

Ms Allison Greco (60 CES, Travis AFB)
Ms Diana Gilchrist (22 CES, McConnell AFB)
Ms Elizabeth Toftemark (375 CES, Scott AFB)

Base Awards

Travis AFB
JB Charleston
Little Rock AFB

Aviation Fuel Efficiency Recognition

Most Improved Wing

452 AMW, March ARW

Sortie Reporting Rate -- Highest sortie reporting percentage

C-5 Wing: 349 AMW, Travis AFB
C-17 Wing: 305 AMW, McGuire AFB
C-130 Wing (tie): 107 AW, Niagara Falls; 914 AW, Niagara Falls
KC-10 Wing: 305 AMW, McGuire AFB
KC-135 Wing: 128 ARW, Milwaukee

Ramp Fuel Accuracy -- Highest percent accuracy between planned and actual ramp fuel

C-5 Wing: 60 AMW, Travis AFB
C-17 Wing: 446 AW, McChord AFB
C-130 Wing: 153 AW, Cheyenne
KC-10 Wing: 60 AMW, Travis AFB
KC-135 Wing: 108 ARW, McGuire AFB

Time in Tanks -- Landing fuel converted to minutes of flying time; goal is to have the lowest average time in tanks

C-5 Wing: 60 AMW, Travis AFB
C-17 Wing: 3 WG, Elmendorf AFB
C-130 Wing: 152 AW, Reno
KC-10 Wing: 305 AMW, McGuire AFB
KC-135 Wing: 141 ARW, Fairchild AFB

Fueling Accuracy -- Minimizing the number of over-fueled sorties. An over-fuel exists when actual ramp fuel exceeds planned ramp fuel by 1,500 pounds or more

C-5 Wing: 60 AMW, Travis AFB
C-17 Wing: 446 AW, McChord AFB
C-130 Wing: 153 AW, Cheyenne
KC-10 Wing: 349 AMW, Travis AFB
KC-135 Wing: 127 ARG, Selfridge

Auxiliary Power Unit Use - Minimizing use; APUs burn approximately six times more fuel than ground power units

C-5 Wing: 164 AW, Memphis
C-17 Wing: 452 AMW, March ARB
C-130 Wing: 934 AW, Minneapolis-St Paul
KC-10 Wing: 60 AMW, Travis AFB
KC-135 Wing: 101 ARW, Bangor

Cargo Accuracy -- Airlift wings only; highest percent accuracy between planned and actual cargo weight on mission legs

C-5 Wing: 439 AW, Westover
C-17 Wing: 15 WG, Hickam AFB
C-130 Wing: 86 AW, Ramstein AFB

Offload Accuracy -- Tanker wings only; highest percent accuracy between planned and actual air refueling offload

KC-10 Wing: 349 AMW, Travis AFB
KC-135 Wing: 134 ARW, Knoxville

Best Overall Squadron

C-5 Squadron: 22 AS, Travis
C-17 Squadron: 21 AS, Travis
C-130 Squadron: 328 AS, (914 AW) Niagara Falls
KC-10 Squadron: 2 AS, McGuire AFB
KC-135 Squadron: 151 ARS, Knoxville

Special Recognition

Outstanding Large Group: 171 ARW, Pittsburgh
Outstanding Small Group: 101 ARW, Bangor
Outstanding Leadership: Lt. Col. Rebecca Sonkiss
Outstanding Individual: Lt. Col. Jason Avram
Individual Champion: Mr. Randy Finney

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