Official shares glimpse of future with Misawa Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vann Miller
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNEWS) --  Mr. William Anderson, assistant secretary for installations, environment and logistics, stopped here Feb. 22 to meet with Airmen and to discuss key Air Force issues, including environmental stewardship and future fuel alternatives.

He talked about the incredible care Airmen display as they lead the way in environmental responsibility at Air Force installations.  

"The number of endangered species that rely on Air Force bases and ranges as their primary environment is very impressive, and something most people don't know about." Mr. Anderson said.  "There are endangered species that would have no other habitat, if not for Air Force bases with the kind of environmental stewardship that our Airmen provide.  That shows the standards of environmental excellence the Air Force upholds."

Another environmental and economic concern integral to his message was future fuel alternatives for the Air Force.

"The Air Force has determined, through the guidance and leadership of Secretary (of the Air Force Michael) Wynne, that we need to be leaders in testing, certifying and flying using synthetic fuel," said Mr. Anderson.

While many critics subscribe to the idea that oil sources will be the center for America and its military, Mr. Anderson said that the future global economy based on petroleum is going to be short-lived.

"It is also our intention by the year 2016 to be able to purchase at least 50 percent of our aviation fuel needs in a domestically-produced synthetic fuel blend, assuming that it is available in the market place," Mr. Anderson said.

Across the numerous bases, there are new programs and initiatives that bring innovative ideas for power and fuel to life, he explained.

Whether it's the installation of the largest single solar array in the U.S. at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; the launch of hydrogen alternative fuel programs at Hickam AFB, Hawaii; or finalizing cold weather testing on synthetic fuel blends at Minot AFB, N.D., the Air Force is leading the way in energy conservation and alternative fuel programs.

"The Air Force position is that this has to be a comprehensive look at where we go with energy in the future," Mr. Anderson said.

Misawa was one of several Air Force bases in the region Mr. Anderson visited on his way to a global aviation conference in Thailand, where he was to talk about the Air Force energy program and cooperative efforts in the U.S.between the Air Force and civil aviation to share airfields. 

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