Air Force officials with the 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire AFB, N.J., and several of the state’s Democrat lawmakers on Feb. 12 announced a new $3.2 million project to construct a renewable energy plant on a yet-to-be-determined 10-acre patch of land on the base starting this spring. The plant, which will be built in partnership with the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, will generate 500 kilowatts of power from biomass—enough to power about 40 homes—with water vapor as the only byproduct of the energy production. It will bring more than 350 jobs to the area within a few years, the officials said. Col. Scott Smith, vice commander of the 305th AMW, said the new plant will continue the base’s commitment to preserving resources via pursuing alternative and renewable sources of energy. “As you look around the installation, you will see many signs of this energy focus,” he said. He continued, “New, advanced-efficiency solar panels are just a sampling. The goal is to be energy neutral, and we’re on a great pace to get there.” (McGuire report by CMSgt. Paula Paige)
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.