Four Bases Testing Bio Oil

Four Air Force bases are testing a new synthetic oil in their motor fleets to potentially increase the time between oil changes and use more alternative energy in vehicle operations. The 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., recently started using a new bio-based synthetic oil, following use at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; Fairchild AFB, Wash.; and Luke AFB, Ariz., according to a Malmstrom release. Each of the bases are “radically different in terms of either climate or vehicle use,” states the release. For example, Seymour Johnson is hot and humid, Luke is hot and dry, Fairchild uses its vehicles to transport trainees of the search, evasion, resistance, escape school across rugged terrain, and Malmstrom security forces members drive hundreds of miles to and from the ICBM missile silos often in extreme weather conditions. The experiment, which will last 12 to 18 months, is being led by the Defense Logistics Agency and the 441st Vehicle Support Chain Operations Squadron at JB Langley-Eustis, Va. The Department of Homeland Security’s Law Enforcement Training School will conduct similar tests, according to the release. The oil could potentially increase the time between oil changes, from 7,500 miles to 10,000 miles.