Top Air Force Stories for March 8, 2012

Today's stories include:

Air mobility maintainers help Air Force cut down fuel costs 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123293227

Langley tests new fuel delivery system 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123293208

FY 13 military construction requests outlined to Congress 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123293198

Bagram Airfield service members honor Air Force hero 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123293147

Loftis remembered: 'Afghanistan lost its best friend' 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123293090



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Air mobility maintainers help Air Force cut down fuel costs

by Capt. Kathleen Ferrero
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Air mobility maintainers are helping to secure the future by becoming more fuel efficient, officials said.

Maintenance professionals are working to avoid future expenses by lightening loads on KC-135 Stratotankers and C-5 Galaxies; they're also cutting back on use of gas-guzzling aircraft auxiliary power units.

One initiative that is making a huge impact is the KC-135's Reduction in Zero Fuel Weight program, officials said. Until recently, the KC-135 was required to carry 8,800 pounds of extra fuel to maintain center of gravity and ensure constant flow through the fuel system. That fuel is separate from the fuel needed to refuel other aircraft -- KC-135s can takeoff with as much as 322,500 pounds. Because aircraft burn fuel to carry fuel, it made sense to minimize this requirement, officials said.

Now, maintainers fuel half of the original amount required to cover the ballasts and center of gravity, said Maj. Mark Blumke, a fuel efficiency manager at Air Mobility Command's Directorate of Logistics. This is largely due to upgrades, like heavier avionics equipment, that helps to distribute center of gravity.

Eventually, the goal is to modify the KC-135 to completely eliminate the required ballast fuel, reducing aircraft take-off weight even further, he said.

Likewise, maintainers are placing the military's heaviest lifter on a weight loss program. C-5s have five systems currently identified to be removed to reduce weight and burn less fuel, Blumke said: the low pressure pneumatic system; protective armor; water storage tanks; portable water tank; and weight and balance computer.

The five systems will be removed in the field by Time Compliance Technical Order over the next one to two years, Blumke said.

"Removal will coincide with other maintenance activities and will not drive aircraft downtime," he said.

"The systems are being removed because they are expensive to maintain or were made obsolete by upgrades; and they no longer serve a functional purpose on the aircraft," Blumke said.

Another system that maintenance experts are working to change is the use of aircraft auxiliary power units. According to the AMC Fuel Efficiency Office, C-5, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender aircraft operated approximately 76,609 sorties in fiscal 2011. Reducing APU use on each of these sorties by 1.5 hours could have saved nearly $700,000 per month.

For this reason, the command now directs minimal usage of APUs wherever aerospace ground equipment can be used in their place. Also, in February 2011, AMC's logistics directorate launched the Mobility Air Forces Maintenance APU Usage Tracking Program to monitor how efficiently the equipment is being used around the world, Blumke said.

"Fuel efficiency has to be a factor in every decision we make," he said. "Every dollar saved on fuel is a dollar that can be spent caring for Airmen, the mission and other Air Force priorities.

"Our maintenance professionals are helping to lead the way so that we can focus on those priorities in the future," Blumke said.

Langley tests new fuel delivery system

by Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNS) -- Airmen here are testing a new fuel delivery system that officials say could revolutionize flightline operations and save the Air Force millions of dollars.

The new Hydrant Mobile Refueler has been in development for roughly a year and a half, and it could be implemented throughout the Air Force in 2012, according to the 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management superintendent.

"We've added a hydrant connection that we can connect to our Type 3, constant-pressure hydrant system, which will allow us to be able to pump fuel directly from the hydrant system, through the (truck), going straight to the aircraft," Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Smith said.

In other words, where the R-11 fuel trucks normally pump fuel from their tanks into waiting aircraft, this modification allows the fuel truck to simply serve as a connection point and filter. The fuel stored in underground tanks will travel directly into the aircraft being serviced. One of the major hurdles this modification addresses is servicing heavy aircraft not assigned to Langley.

"When we have large-frame aircraft that come in, and they're not parked directly on the pits where we can use the pantograph, we can bring the HYMORE truck out," Smith said. "This truck will be able to pump as much fuel as our system is able to push to it.

"We are here testing a lot of great ideas for the fuels arena," Smith added. "Langley has been a test base for many years, but this is the one that we are hanging our hat on. Time and money is what we are really excited about with this new HYMORE, and it's already proven itself here at Langley."

The 633rd LRS is responsible for all the fuels disbursed on the base, whether ground products like gas or diesel, or jet fuel designated for use in Langley AFB's fighter jets. Fuels management personnel receive, test and distribute fuel as needed, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Master Sgt. Joseph Eveson, the 633rd LRS Fuels Management NCO in charge of facilities, said on any given day, fuels management services about 40 aircraft, including Langley AFB's fighters and any transient aircraft. Fuels management has 14 R-11 fuel trucks to service the aircraft and two trucks designated to service ground vehicles.

"With a standard R-11, you can issue 6,000 gallons, and then you have to come back and fill your truck," Eveson said. "With the HYMORE, you're only limited to capacity of the hydrant system -- up to 900,000 (gallons) here at Langley.

"Langley is currently the only place that has the system attached to the trucks," he said. "They are in the process of putting them on out at Nellis (Air Force Base, Nev.). If all goes well at Langley and Nellis, they are going to take them out to the desert."

Eveson said the HYMORE saves time and money, it's easier to use and takes fewer people to set up.

"If we're using the pantograph, you have to take the additional piece of equipment and tow it out to the flightline," Eveson said. "You have to hook it up, drive five miles an hour to the aircraft, and it takes two people to set up. Once you're done, its takes two people to take it all apart and drive it back to its spot. With the HYMORE, you can just send one operator with his truck out to the aircraft."

Eveson said once the system is approved for use Air Force wide, each base would have the option to purchase fuels hydrant service vehicles with the HYMORE modification.

"Instead of buying a new R-11, an R-12 and a pantograph, they could buy an R-11 and get the HYMORE attachment as an add-on," Eveson said. "A pantograph costs about $130,000; an HSV costs about $200,000. The HYMORE costs about $18,000; so you're looking at saving hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Eveson said another benefit of the modification is that it requires almost zero training for the refueling operators because it is such a simple piece of equipment to operate.

Senior Airman Lloyd Nau, a 633rd LRS refueling operator, works out of the fuels management section on the northern end of the flightline. He said using the trucks with the modification can save 45 minutes to an hour for every fueling operation.

"The biggest benefit would be that it stops us from having to come all the way back here to fill up our truck, and then go all the way back out to the aircraft and hook back up to it," Nau said. "We can stay on the aircraft the entire time and refuel it."

Smith said the Air Force would consider the HYMORE a success once it determines trucks with the modification can service aircraft at the same rate, or better, than the current equipment can. He said since 633rd LRS personnel have already done that, now it's just a matter of working out the details.

"The next step would be that we would have this on the next (purchase)," Smith said. "That's why we are testing hot and heavy here at Langley, because we are trying to get the data and provide it to the engineers. We've already leaned way forward on this, and it is something you are probably going to see before this year is out."

FY 13 military construction requests outlined to Congress

by Tech. Sgt. Richard A. Williams, Jr.
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics discussed military construction projects contained in the service's fiscal 2013 President's Budget request during a congressional hearing March 8.

"Our FY13 budget request responds to two main drivers: The Budget Control Act that the Congress passed last year and the new defense strategic policy the President and Secretary (Leon) Panetta announced in January," Terry Yonkers said.

The Air Force looked at every possible way to reduce expenses and made some difficult decisions to achieve the services share of $487 billion in defense savings mandated by the Budget Control Act, Yonkers said.

"We are focusing investments in the critical infrastructure needed to sustain our air bases and quality of life for our Airmen and their families," he said.

The Air Force is placing infrastructure emphasis toward the most mission critical facility structures, Yonkers said. He emphasized facility modifications related to the beddown of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and MC-12 Liberty programs and standing up of an additional B-52 Super Fortress squadron at Minot Air Force Base.

The Air Force also looks to reduce its energy footprint by demolishing older, energy inefficient buildings and upgrading facilities with more energy efficient infrastructure systems, Yonkers said.

"As funding for military construction has become more austere, we have made a deliberate effort to build only where existing capacity is not available or where cost-benefit analysis validates demolishing aging facilities and construction of more efficient and functional replacements," Yonkers said.

The Air Force requests $3.9 billion for military construction, military housing and facility sustainment, restoration and modernization, and Yonkers points out military construction is $442 million, a reduction of $900 million from fiscal 2012.

"We also continue to emphasize first class housing and strive to improve the overall quality of life for our Airmen and their families," Yonkers said.

To meet this quality of life effort, the Air Force is asking for $580 million for dormitory improvements and recapitalization for single Airmen, and will keep the service on track to complete stateside family housing privatization and upgrades to overseas housing, Yonkers said.

To meet environmental compliance requirements, pollution prevention and continuing environmental cleanup efforts, the Air Force needs $1.1 Billion, Yonkers said.

"Last year we implemented a new cleanup policy that relies on a firm-fixed price, performance based contracts," Yonkers said. "Employing this new method has already resulted in 20 percent cost avoidance while closing sites three times faster."

The Air Force recognizes it is operating in challenging fiscal times, and possible sequestration would make challenges more difficult, he added.

"We will continue to look at every aspect of our operations and aggressively pursue efficiencies to reduce our cost of doing business without sacrificing readiness or quality of life programs for our Airmen," Yonkers said.

Yonkers joined Deputy Secretary of Defense (Installations and Environment) Dr. Dorothy Robyn; Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment) Katherine Hammack and Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations, Energy and Environment) Jackalyne Pfannenstiel during testimony before the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies.


Bagram Airfield service members honor Air Force hero

by Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- Men and women from every military service dedicated their day to honoring one of the Air Force's fallen heroes here March 4.

The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted a ruck march, remembrance ceremony and celebratory barbecue to honor the 10th anniversary of pararescueman Senior Airman Jason Cunningham's sacrifice for his country.

Cunningham was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross on Sept. 13, 2002, for his extraordinary heroism while engaged in combat against an enemy. He provided medical aid to wounded service members while under fire and relocated them to three different casualty collection points after each one was overrun. His actions saved 10 lives and allowed the bodies of seven fallen warriors to return home with honor. Bagram Airfield dedicated a compound in Cunningham's memory.

The day started with the remembrance ruck march. A spokesperson said more than 270 supporters showed up in the early hours of a misty day to take part in the march. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians strapped on 35 pounds of gear and marched 7.6 miles through puddles and rocks to show their appreciation for Cunningham's dedication to duty.

Bagram Airfield service members then assembled for the Senior Airman Jason Cunningham Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony featured a retelling of the events at Roberts Ridge, the mission in which Cunningham gave his life, and the reading of his Air Force Cross citation.

Lt. Col. Spencer Cocanour, the 21st Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron commander, was the narrator on the day Camp Cunningham was originally dedicated to the senior airman. Fittingly, he was present to speak at the remembrance ceremony eight years later.

"The motto of special tactics is 'First there ... That others may live,'" Cocanour said. "Jason followed a quick reaction force and gave everything he had, including his life, so others may live.

"Jason Cunningham was ready to go that day," he said. "When they called his name, his heart beat faster, his adrenalin was pumping ... he was in the zone. He went in knowing it was dangerous. He knew the enemy was there, on the attack, and knew there was U.S. wounded and dead on the battlefield. He knew all of this, yet he never faltered ... never hesitated. He was all in."

Cocanour went on to explain that the reason the military names camps, streets and buildings after "true professionals and fallen heroes" is to honor their memory. He said it serves to remind service members of those people who gave everything right to their last breath.

To emphasize the example set by Cunningham, Cocanour cited a famous quote to the audience.

"George Orwell said it well," he said. "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand in violence on their behalf. Jason Cunningham was one of those men. We should all strive to be the same."

Brig. Gen. Thomas Deale, the 455th AEW commander, also spoke in honor of Cunningham's remembrance ceremony.

"Jason's was a life of significance," Deale said. "He made an impact. He truly embodied our Air Force core values: Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. When you listen to that remarkable story, on that day, on that ridgeline, you see that we lost great Airmen; Airmen who weren't afraid to stand up and answer the call when it came. I am proud of them."

Deale commented that Cunningham, being one of the most junior ranks, set an example of getting the mission done that Deale, as a brigadier general, follows.

He then issued a challenge to the audience.

"I ask you to reflect on your service, look at those core values and bring it every day," Deale said. "It's what we need. It's the only way we are going to get the mission done here. Senior Airman Cunningham knew that. And when you see it out there, and you recognize it, it should make you proud."

Deale and Cocanour then placed a wreath in front of Cunningham's shadow box and rendered a ceremonial salute. A flight of Airmen also marched to the shadow box and saluted to honor Cunningham's memory.

Loftis remembered: 'Afghanistan lost its best friend'

by Capt. Kristen D. Duncan
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- A funeral service was held here Monday for Lt. Col. John Darin Loftis, who died Feb. 25 from wounds received during an attack at the Interior Ministry, Kabul, Afghanistan.

The solemn service was attended by approximately 250 of Loftis's family, friends and Airmen from across the Air Force. Among his family, his brother-in-law, Rev. Dr. Brian Brewer, gave the pastoral 'message of hope.'

"My favorite picture of Darin was taken in Afghanistan in 2009," Brewer said. "In this iconic photograph, it is illustrative of an attitude, a service, of which he lived his whole life. That picture is quintessential J.D. An armed trooper makes himself vulnerable, a soldier of arms among admiring children with outstretched arms. It is representative of the ideal...an emblematic snapshot of Darin's life."

Loftis lived his life with outstretched arms. As a college student, he worked with the homeless in Nashville; in the Peace Corps, he lived alongside the Duna tribesmen of the 'bush' in Papua New Guinea; and he broke down cultural barriers by speaking Pashto fluently, drinking tea with village elders and even attending a traditional wedding in Afghanistan.

His outstretched arms however, were always filled with his two beloved daughters when at home. While helping his oldest with her math homework, he explained least common denominators as a problem where the solution is to find a common language between them. That summarized his life's work - finding a common language to build trust and unity.

In Afghanistan, building trust was his ultimate goal and mission, according to his family.

"Darin was serving humanity through military service," Brewer said. "The Afghan who shot him grossly misunderstood Darin's mission. As an officer told me, 'Afghanistan lost its best friend.'"

Loftis was deployed in support of OPERATION Enduring Freedom, working as the chief plans advisor for the International Security Assistance Force, in an industrious program called AfPak Hands. In that role, Loftis advised and mentored top Afghan National Police officials in their native language of Pashto.

"Recognized for his superior language and cultural skills...Colonel Loftis guided the security planning for more than 20 major national events," according to his Bronze Star Medal first oak leaf cluster citation.

Most notably, he guided security planning for the reopening of Kabul's largest stadium complex where Afghan President Karzai held his "Loya Jirga" or Grand Assembly. This single event demonstrated the ability of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to safeguard its citizens and 2,000 senior leaders.

He also traveled to remote corners of the country where he assessed and prepared Afghan districts for transition from coalition to ANP security.

According to the citation, "his courageous efforts directly contributed to the successful transition of 45 districts to Afghan control, proving to the international community governance, security, and peace can be achieved."

Loftis genuinely believed peace was built with understanding and solidarity, his brother-in-law said.

Loftis leaves behind an exemplary example to his children of a life of service and sacrifice. Long before he made the ultimate sacrifice though, he recognized his family's support. In one of his masters' theses, he wrote of gratitude to his family, which Brewer read aloud.

"Finally, many of the burdens of this research were borne by my patient family," then-Captain Loftis wrote. "A disproportionate share of the household affairs fell upon my lovely wife during this demanding time, and I owe you much gratitude. And to my toddler who became a preschooler and my infant who became a toddler during this time--Daddy's home now!"

Brewer referenced the family's faith and spoke personally to them, "this is not the end."

"We know Darin's sacrifice was not in vain. For in dangers, in toils and in snares, we have already come," Brewer said. "J.D. has finished his final mission. He served his country well, served his fellow man well and served his eternal God very well."

As the service came to a close, in a final roll call, his U.S. Air Force Special Operations School division lead, Lt. Col. Jim Piel, called out with genuine emotion, "Lt. Col. John Darin Loftis, killed in action, Feb. 25, 2012." Then with full military honors, a 21-gun salute fired outside the chapel doors, followed by the bugle playing of "Taps." As the family walked out into the bright sun, a flyover of a MC-130P met them overhead.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the USO (http://www.uso.org/donate/), Fisher House (http://www.fisherhouse.org/donate/) and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (http://www.specialops.org/?page=Make_A_Donation). To donate to the Lt. Col. Darin Loftis Memorial Fund, send donations to the Austin Bank at P.O. Box 951, Jacksonville, Texas, 75766.

Loftis was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal first oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal first oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.