Energy, the Air Force and you

  • Published
  • By Parviz Tigeri
  • 48th Civil Engineer Squadron Energy Manager
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The Department of Energy and the United States Air Force have designated October as Energy Awareness Month. This is a time to increase our knowledge and awareness of energy: where it comes from, what it costs, how it affects our environment, and how we can make the best use of this valuable resource. 

Energy in the form of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, coal or other forms, is critical to the Air Force mission, our quality of life and in a larger sense the ability of America to remain the most productive nation in the world. 

One of the reasons the S Air Force is able to maintain its dominant position is because of fuel available to us in the form of oil. Oil however, is becoming more and more expensive as you are reminded every time you fill up your car. The Air Force is aware of this and is developing alternative aircraft fuels. Just a few months ago a B-52 was test flown using a synthetic liquid fuel mixture derived from natural gas. (Find the link to the story at right.)

Also, we have become both a digital society and a digital military. This is only possible because of electricity, and we use a lot of it. The Federal Energy Management Program is exploring avenues to generate electricity by means other than burning fossil fuels. These areas are still under research but include wind power and solar panels. Although the technology is already available, we are searching for ways to apply it effectively to our military operations. 

So what can we do to more efficiently manage and conserve the energy and our budget and our Air Force requires maintaining a premier fighting force? 

Here at RAF Lakenheath, in addition to jet fuel, we use heating oil, electricity, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas to operate and provide necessary living comforts. Whether you live in base housing or on the economy, your utility bills are paid by the Air Force. Your office is heated by electricity, oil, or LPG, all paid for by the Air Force. Your office equipment uses electricity; your official vehicles use diesel or gasoline again, all provided by the Air Force. 

We need to examine ways to reduce our electrical consumption so more of these dollars can be used for jet fuel, military training, designing of future aircraft, and quality of life. Many ways to reduce electrical consumption have been previously published and advertised, but it boil down to this: 

Not in use? Turn off the juice. 

Turn off your monitor after the days work. Turn off the copier when you leave for the day. Turn off the office bathroom lights when you go home. Turn off security lighting when its daylight. When you leave your home to go to work, turn off the TV, or stereo, or other appliances. Each of us can contribute to this effort. Even if each of us is just saving a few cents, as Ben Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned." And it does not cost us anything to save these pennies. 

The 48th Fighter Wing commander has approved formation of the RAF Lakenheath Energy Management Steering Group to examine and explore avenues to conserve energy and associated costs. While the EMSG intends to devise energy plans at the base level, it is important that every individual member of the Liberty Team is aware of their own energy consumption.