355th CES spread the "I am energy" campaign

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  October is Energy Action Month throughout the federal government and in the U.S. Air Force. Airmen, here, educated themselves and future generations on base and in the local community about the importance of saving energy.

This year's campaign "I am Air Force Energy", is focused on educating Airmen and inspiring the total force to be more energy efficient for greater mission effectiveness.

"Our energy resources are not unlimited," said Col. Rodger Schuld, 355th Mission Support Group commander, "every time we use our energy here that puts our dependency on someone or someplace else. The more we can reduce that dependency, that is what helps us become stronger as a nation."

Throughout the month, the 355th Civil Engineering Squadron partnered with Borman Elementary School, Sonoran Science Academy, the University of Arizona  and local businesses to educate, mentor and share experiences.

"This is an opportunity for us to meet with a number of people and to talk about energy conservation and remind them that energy conservation is still a major effort for D-M, the Air Force and the Federal Government" said Greg Noble, 355th Fighter Wing energy manager.

D-M is no stranger to implementing innovative ideas that strive to conserve energy. This past February, a 16.4 megawatt solar array was established here, the largest of its kind on any U.S. Department of Defense installation.

"Energy is one of those bills we have to pay," Schuld said.  "Every dollar that we put into energy takes away from training, people, buying iron ... I think everyone understands why it's important to the Air Force. We have to make every dollar count."

The D-M energy team received a 2014 Federal Energy Management Project award for the many energy programs that have been implemented here and are expected to save the base $253,000 annually.

"Conserving energy reduces the cost of government to the taxpayers and it increases the efficiency of overall government operations" Noble said.

Schulds wants every individual to make conserving energy personal.

"Things like on your computer monitors, at the end of the day if you just hit the buttons to turn it off, how much energy am I saving, miniscule, but if everybody in the Air Force did that who knows how much we would save," Schuld said.

For tips on conserving energy, visit www.energy.gov.