Friday, March 15, 2002 Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Vol. 46 No.9 By 2nd Lt. Mike Andrews This Issue 21st Space Wing Public Affairs eterson Air Force Base is leading the Air News Force and the state of Colorado in reducing consumption of petro- leum Pand significantly reducing emis- sions. The base is implementing three alternative fuel options and purchasing or leasing GSA alternative fuel vehi- cles. Peterson is also one of the 39 WASP pilot talks about women’s aviation - Page 3 original stakeholders in the Colorado Clean Cities program, a U.S. Department of Energy program designed to promote cleaner air through the use of alternative fuel and Feature vehicles. “Air Force Space Command and the 21st Space Wing, in conjunction base using E-85, Peterson is also the United States’ energy self-suffi- with the Colorado Clean Cities cam- known for being the second Air Force ciency and security by decreasing our paign, is leading the way on the use of base and the first Colorado location to dependency on foreign oil and petrole- alternative fuel vehicles, which is the have bio-diesel fuel, a blend of diesel um. The United States imports about way of the future,” said Col. Kai fuels and vegetable oils,” said Master 60 percent of our oil every year.” Norwood, Air Force Space Command Sgt. Mark Trolio, HQ AFSPC Fuel Alternative fuels also make for Logistics Group commander. Operations. healthier environment by reducting Meet the Career Assistance On April 21, 2000, President “Peterson’s bio-diesel is made greenhouse gases and other pollutants Advisor - Page 8 Clinton signed Executive Order 13149 with 80 percent low-sulfur diesel in the atmosphere. into law which requires federal vehicle blended with 20 percent virgin, refined “These are a few of the reasons fleets to reduce petroleum consump- soybean or rapeseed oil. Commercial why the executive order is so impor- tion by 20 percent by the end of Fiscal bio-diesel may also use recycled cook- tant and the integrated item managers Sports Year 2005. ing grease,” said Huber. for all DoD petroleum products “Peterson is the first Air Force This bio-diesel blend is called B- (Defense Energy Support Center) base, as well as the first location in 20. B-20 reduces petroleum use by 20 worked extended hours to acquire the Colorado, to have E-85, an ethanol- percent and reduces carbon monoxide vendor contracts to make all this hap- based alcohol mixed with traditional by 20 percent. Bio-diesel can be used pen,” said Trolio. gasoline,” said Master Sgt. Jim Huber, in any conventional diesel engine and For more information on alterna- 21st Space Wing fuels. “E-85 is 85 doesn’t require special storage. tive fuels, call Huber at 556-7728. For percent ethanol blended with 15 per- Congress announced in June fleet management or vehicle related cent gasoline. There are currently 24 2000 that bio-diesel was the first alter- questions, or training on of how to use vehicles using the E-85 fuel on native fuel to have completed the the pumps, call Tim Kincannon with Peterson today.” requirements of the 1990 Clean Air PMI Fleet Management at 556-4495. Denver Nuggets visit Peterson E-85 reduces greenhouse gas Act. - Page 10 emissions like carbon-monoxide, the “Bio-diesel was first received and main contributor to global warming, used at Peterson in October 2001. To by as much as 39 to 46 percent. In date, over 9,200 gallons in the 160 addition to gas emissions, it reduces vehicles have been used and there have Inside petroleum use by 85 percent and burns been no vehicle problems reported,” cleaner than traditional gasoline. This said Huber. News....3-5 reduces exhaust emissions and respira- The final alternative fuel option Air Force News....6 tory illnesses caused by poor air quali- is Compressed Natural Gas. Natural ty. gas is the cleanest burning alternative FYI....7 The change from using traditional fuel and emissions are much lower Feature....8 gasoline to E-85 was relatively simple. than traditional gasoline powered vehi- The existing gasoline tanks were emp- cles. Carbon-monoxide emissions are Tip of the Sword....9 tied, cleaned, and then refilled with E- reduced by 70 percent when using nat- Sports....10 85 fuel. The tanks had to be modified ural gas. to accept E-85. Natural gas powered vehicles A source of cleaner fuel is produce little or no evaporative emis- ethanol. One source of ethanol is corn. sions, the vapors that escape from the Pharmacy refill One bushel of corn can produce 2.5 pump nozzle during fueling. Currently gallons of ethanol. Studies also indi- 60 vehicles on base use compressed line cate that it also generates 24-35 per- natural gas. cent more energy than it takes to pro- The CNG pump has both 3,000 The 810th Medical duce the corn. So the corn offers more and 3,600 pounds per square inch dis- Operations Squadron has energy than it takes to produce it. The penser hoses, and is available to any- Photos by Tech. Sgt. Gino Mattorano a new refill telephone National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition one who has access to the installation Elisa Jarrett, Phoenix Management states that “Ethanol, which is non- and has a Natural Fuels Corporation Incorporated, fills up with com- number. The number is toxic, water soluble and biodegradable, credit card. pressed natural gas. The gas is one 333-DRUG is simply a better fuel for the world There are several reasons why of the three types of alternative around us.” alternative fuel technology is so impor- fuels Peterson Air Force Base is using. “In addition to being the first tant. According to Huber, “It enhances SPACE OBSERVER 2 Friday, March 15, 2002 Around the Wing 21st Space Wing GSU At a Glance Photo by Scott H. Spitzer A sign of the times A noncommissioned officer from the 305th Medical Group, McGuire Air Force Base, Unit: 18th Space Surveillance Squadron N.J., uses a handmade sign to say goodbye to his fellow airmen before they deploy in Location: Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. support of Operation Enduring Freedom on March 11. Mission: The 18th Space Surveillance Squadron is responsible for command and control of three Ground–based Electro–Optical Deep Space Surveillance, or GEODSS, located at Detachment 1, Socorro, N.M.; Action Line Detachment 2, Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean limited to electronically filing only the federal Territories; and Detachment 3, Maui, Hawaii. The unit Taxing my mind and Colorado state returns. However, the VITA also provides command and control for the Moron Optical volunteers are authorized to provide state tax Space Surveillance System, or MOSS, a stand-alone sys- Q: Why was the VITA program changed forms for other states and can assist clients tem located at Detachment 4, Moron, Spain. to do Colorado State tax forms only and not with questions they may have in preparing Besides providing staffing support and quality assur- support out of state tax returns? them. ance management to a work force of more than 150 mili- The program was initially established to If you have further questions, please con- tary and contractors at the worldwide detachments, the assist our young airmen. Where are young air- tact Tech. Sgt. Debra Henry at 556-4403. unit began operating the Optical Command, Control and men suppose to go now to get help with their Submitting Action Lines Communications Facility, or OC3F, in February 2000. out of state tax returns? Thank you. The Action Line is your direct line to the The OC3F is the centralized node for the control of A: Thank you for your concern. We agree, commander. If you have any questions, com- the 18th SPSS optical detachments around the world. The the main focus of the Volunteer Income Tax ments or concerns please call or fax the Action GEODSS and MOSS sites play a vital role in tracking Assistance (VITA) program is to help our air- Line. some 2,000 objects in space, all of which are at least men. To submit a question or comment call 3,000 miles from the Earth's surface. As in the past, the base tax program is 556-7777 or fax your question to 556-7848. News Briefs ROAD CLOSURE - The north section for April 8-11 at the Broadmoor hotel. For more information or to join ing April 3, 11 a.m.-noon, at the of Kelly Street will be closed begin- Volunteers are needed for various the committee, call Bonnie Pavlik at Aragon Dining Hall. ning March 22 at 6 p.m. and will re- positions. 556-6530. For more information on the open March 25 at 6 a.m. For more information or to vol- AIR NATIONAL GUARD OPENINGS - committee, call Master Sgt. Leo Perez For more information, call John unteer, go to The 109th Airlift Wing, Scotia, New at 554-4080 or Airman 1st Class Moreau at 556-4184. www.spacesymposium.org or call 554- York, has traditional Guard vacancies Jessica Sanchez at 556-8044. GIANT VOICE TEST - The giant voice 5736. in a number of Air Force Speciality WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH - The siren and voice system will be tested ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN Codes. Peterson Women’s History Month periodically Monday and Tuesday HERITAGE COMMITTEE- The For details, contact Master Sgt. Committee is having a women’s histo- from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Peterson Asian Pacific American Wesley Ryerson at DSN 344-2456 or ry conference at the Officers’ Club For more information, call Master Heritage Committee is looking for [email protected] Wednesday, 9 a.m.-noon.