The Air Force’s focus on reducing energy consumption currently includes use of renewable energy methods at 37 of its 80 or so major installations, according to Kevin Billings, USAF’s deputy assistant secretary for environment, safety, and occupational health. Billings told attendees Tuesday at AFA’s Air & Space Conference that the service is “taking a look at every facility within the Air Force” to find ways to reduce the service’s dependence on energy. He said the Air Force Research Lab is exploring the energy conservation potential for different engine configurations and continues to pursue the use of synthetic fuel to power aircraft. Just last month, USAF declared synfuel use OK for operational B-52 bombers and has embarked on testing its use on the C-17 airlifter. The goal, he said, is to have a 50/50 blend of JP-8 jet fuel and synthetic fuel for use by USAF aircraft by 2016.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
