The Air Force has been at the forefront of national efforts to increase energy efficiency and adopt renewable, environmentally friendly forms of power. And that’s not about to change, Erin Conaton, undersecretary of the Air Force, told reporters Thursday. “I think it is incredibly important that the Air Force remains in the lead,” she said following her address at the Air Force’s energy forum in Washington, D.C. Conaton reminded that the Air Force remains the largest consumer of fuel in the federal government and has the critical role as a provider of transportation and logistics for the joint force. Accordingly, she said, “We think it is critical that we remain in a leadership position on energy issues.” Already today, the Air Force has 37 bases that use some sort of renewable energy, she said. She also praised the other services for their energy initiatives. (Also see Energized Leadership above)
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.