Environmental symposium trains thousands

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Chuck Widener
  • Air Force Print News
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --  The Air Force 2005 Environmental Training Symposium, an event that combines the efforts of five major commands and focuses on nine major base organizations, began here Feb. 7.

More than 1,500 students from across the Air Force, other government agencies and national academia are participating in more than 520 class sessions covering 111 environment, safety and occupational health topics.

The number of students and training courses “reflect the importance commanders at all levels place on this symposium,” said Gen. Donald G. Cook, commander of Air Education and Training Command, in his video address.

“The Air Force environmental program isn’t just about compliance and cleanup,” he said. “It’s about incorporating activities into a management system which is cost-effective and focused on defining mission needs. And that’s why we support this event each year, bringing everyone together at one time, in one place, with a common focus on education and training.”

The symposium includes instruction from experts in industry, public and private training centers and agencies throughout federal and state governments.

Course subjects include material in all media and processes of environmental compliance, natural- and cultural-resource conservation, restoration and cleanup, pollution prevention, environmental analysis and planning, environmental law, public relations and media affairs, and operational aspects of environmental protection.

“At no other time has such a prominent set of courses and educators in the (environmental) field been brought together in one setting,” General Cook said. “The team has done a superb job of identifying students’ critical training needs and developing a ‘right fit’ curriculum designed to give each of them the specific skills and knowledge they need.”

Businesses from throughout the world are also exhibiting state-of-the-art environmental products and technologies during the symposium so attendees can experience the latest advances in international industry and technologies.

In all, the symposium is a vital part of the Air Force’s efforts to meet its commitment to the nation’s defense and stewardship of its human and natural resources, said J.P. Smith, the symposium director.

General Cook said the Air Force should be proud of its efforts and successes in the environmental arena.

“Our sister services, regulatory agencies and the public do notice,” he said. “Last fall, Stephen Johnson, the deputy (Environmental Protection Agency) administrator, said the military has ‘increasingly made environmental stewardship and compliance a core component of our national security and defense agenda.’”