The Air Force on Wednesday will host its first-ever renewable energy industry day to provide details about opportunities for renewable energy development to representatives of companies, contractors, and associations in this sector. The event takes place in Irving, Tex., according to service spokesman Gary Strasburg. Senior USAF officials will be on hand, including Terry Yonkers, assistant secretary for installations, environment, and logistics, Kevin Geiss, deputy assistant secretary for energy, and Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers, Air Force civil engineer. With more than 40 renewable energy projects in operation, and dozens more planned, the Air Force leads the federal government in reducing energy consumption and increasing renewable supply. Strasburg said particular focus will be paid at industry day to projects developed through third-party investments on USAF installations. These projects must generate electricity that is competitive or more affordable than current grid rates, he said.
Trainees in Basic Military Training and technical school no longer have the option to try alternate PT drills if they fail an initial assessment, according to a policy change the Air Force made in April. The move is part of a larger shift out of the classroom and into hands-on,…