Air Guard Articles
Air Guard Goes Solar
Initial concerns that energy conservation efforts could
negatively impact the Air Guard's mission have proved
unfounded. On the contrary, energy conservation efforts
positively impact the mission of the 149th Fighter Wing
(FW), a tenant on Lackland AFB (LAFB) in San Antonio, by
saving money previously spent on utility bills.
The Air Guard is also leading the way in special purpose
stand-alone solar projects around LAFB. One can easily spy
solar panels powering walkway lights, gates and even liquid
oxygen fueling areas. A small solar panel connected to each
speaker of the basewide communication system provides
necessary energy in case of emergency announcements. These
projects are especially beneficial because the Air Guard
doesn't have to install electric lines; the stand-alone
solar projects are completely self-contained.
Greening of the Air Guard Wins Gold
The Texas Air National Guard's (TXANG) 136th Air Wing wins for Environmental Excellence in 2006. The Texas Military Forces Golden Hondo Award was awarded for addressing Presidential directives and overlapping environmental requirements. On its own initiative, the 136th Air Wing (AW), located at the Fort Worth Naval Air Station, developed a base-wide Green Procurement Program (GPP) targeting conservation of energy and natural resources, and reduction of costs. Joining energy conservation with green procurement purchasing and adding in regulatory waste minimization requirements makes for one comprehensive plan.
>> Read the whole articleAir Guard Sets New Standard
In keeping with the environmental management systems (EMS) obligation for continuous improvement of environmental performance, the 149th Fighter Wing in San Antonio is presently replacing all maintenance shop chemical parts washers with ones that use biofriendly solvent. Using chemical solvents to wash aircraft and vehicle parts can have an impact on air quality. The identification of this potential negative impact led to the development of an action plan to find a suitable replacement. Currently, four shops continue to use chemical solvents on a routine basis: Vehicle Maintenance, Wheel and Tire Shop, Pneudraulics, and Jet Engine Maintenance.
>> Read the whole article