Air Force officials go green, renew vehicle fleet at wing in Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Linch
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Air Force officials from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here became the first wing under U.S. Air Force Central to move to a greener vehicle fleet Oct. 26. 

When Maj. Michael Horsey, the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, handed the keys of a new staff vehicle to Brig. Gen. Bryan J. Benson, the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, they fulfilled President Barack Obama's vision for a greener Department of Defense for the 380th AEW.

"We have officially become the first wing under AFCENT to convert to a vehicle fleet that complies with President Obama's Department of Defense directive to become more energy efficient with our fleet," Major Horsey said.

Following directives from the secretary of the Air Force and the secretary of Defense, the 380th ELRS replaced 22 vehicles with smaller, more gas efficient models following criteria ensuring the vehicles were less than 5,200 pounds and had a 3.0 liter engine or smaller.

Not only does this show taxpayers that the military is handling their money responsibly, but also that the Air Force is dedicated to greening their fleet, said Senior Master Sgt. Troy Saunders, the vehicle fleet manager for the 380th Logistics Readiness Squadron. 

"It doesn't seem like a lot because we are only changing out 22 vehicles, but if you change out vehicles at every base in the United States, across the (area of responsibility) and all other major commands, now you are talking about saving a significant amount of fuel," Sergeant Saunders said. "The advantage of that is huge. Not only as a public perception for the taxpayers' money, but also for the overall green, that the military, the DOD, the federal government is aiming for."

"The fact that we are the first unit to skinny down to the Air Force standard is appropriate," General Benson said. "The 380th AEW leads the way."

Members of the 380th AEW provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and aerial refueling in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.