Air Force chief of staff encourages Airmen to embrace energy efficiency

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
The Air Force's top uniformed officer urged the integration of energy efficiency and conservation into all aspects of the service's mission at the close of the U.S. Air Force Energy Forum here May 28.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz addressed more than 500 attendees including wing and major command representatives, international partners and industry leaders during the two day event.

"We must embrace the notion that energy efficiency is not a stand-alone priority because it binds together and enables every dimension of our mission," General Schwartz said. "Energy efficiency affords us greater resiliency, which translates to greater capability and versatility."

The general declared that incorporating energy efficiency into all actions is "a long-term imperative that carries near-term urgency."

"All Airmen - in operations, maintenance and mission support...from the flightline, to the hangar, to the military personnel flight - must further realize the critical link between energy and our ability to continue making needed contributions to the joint team," General Schwartz said. "We must all share a sense of urgency, particularly in light of flattening budgets, decreasing purchasing power, and rising costs in operations, maintenance, sustainment, personnel and yes, in energy as well."

The general pledged ongoing support of the Air Force Energy Plan 2010, and commended the smaller-scale progress at installations, adding "the frank, free, open exchange of ideas at this forum is only a beginning."

"Only with a systematic approach, determined leadership on all of our parts and firm commitment will we be able to drive workable solutions," General Schwartz said.

The general closed with an emphasis on the need for continued collaboration, teamwork and partnership in energy issues.

"The imperative to do better is so important, it is simply compelling," the general said. "As Airmen, as partners in a common cause, and as a nation ... my appeal to you - my charge to you - is let's pick up the pace ... together."

Read the speech.