Ascension Island Green Way

On rugged lave rock terrain these four 225 kW wind turbines are the first phase of a six turbine site of the 45th Operations Group, Detachment 2, at Ascension Auxiliary Airfield (AAF), South Atlantic Ocean. Behind them, one of the facilities they help power, the TAA-3C-1 and TAA-3C-2 telemetry systems on South Gannett Hill on June 28, 2009. The wind turbines work in parallel with low-load diesel generators powering the airfield, Space Command sites and facilities, and a royal air force airfield facility on the island. Ascension AAF's award winning economical self-sufficiency solutions also includes drinking water production and waste water treatment. "It is exciting to see this base operate in a "green" environment day-to-day. It is cost effective and at the same time, protects our environment without interfering with any of our various missions down here. Going "green" has actually helped us become more efficient providing power, and water to the air field and the base" said Major Jay Block, detachment commander. The mission of Det. 2 is support of eastern range space launches by collecting and disseminating radar, telemetry and tracking data. Ascension island is 35 square miles in a remote location midway between Brazil and Angola. The nearest country is Liberia - 1000 miles away. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lance Cheung)