The Air Force has received another order from the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up a contamination site. This one is Air Force Plant 44, operated by Raytheon in Tucson, Ariz. EPA also recently directed USAF to speed up work at McGuire AFB, N.J. EPA has told the Air Force and Raytheon that within 45 days they should provide to the agency and the public “an accelerated schedule and work plan with specific dates for conducting remedial action” at Plant 44. EPA says the current extraction and treatment system at #44 “is not effectively containing the contaminated groundwater plume from the facility.” (Read the full EPA order here.)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.