Armed with Science: The Nellis Air Force Base Solar Array

Filed under Uncategorized by on October 6, 2009 at 12:11 pm {no comments}

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. EDT, we will interview Col. Dave Belote, commander of the 99th Air Base Wing, who will discuss one of the Air Force’s most ambitious green initiatives, the Nellis Air Force Base Solar Array, which is comprised of more than 72,000 solar panels containing 6 million solar cells. The Nellis Solar Array took only three years of planning and 26 weeks to complete, and debuted as North America’s largest renewable venture. The project, which was completed in December 2007, represents a public-private partnership between the Air Force, Sunpower Corporation, Nevada Power Company and MMA Renewable Ventures.

Listen to the interview here.

Follow us on Twitter here.

President Obama Declares October National Energy Awareness Month

Filed under DoD News by on October 6, 2009 at 10:17 am {one comment}

October 2009 has been declared National Energy Awareness Month in a proclamation released by the White House Oct. 2. This month is designed to help Americans make clean energy choices that can both rebuild the economy and make it more sustainable.

The month will highlight our nation’s energy issues by promoting the importance of energy research and development and protecting the environment. The month will also address how being aware of the energy we use can also address issues of global competitiveness and national security.

In the proclamation President Obama shares that “innovation in energy technology will decrease our oil use, strengthen our economy, and reduce the dangerous pollution that causes climate change.”

The proclamation also shared that the Federal Government is the largest consumer of energy in the country and that the Administration is committed to leading by example in the use of clean energy and increased energy efficiency.

Starting this month the nation can lead in “innovating, adapting to the global marketplace, and investing in the kind of sustainable future we want for the generations to come,” by participating in energy awareness.

To view the President’s proclamation click here

For more information on Energy Awareness Month click here

(Courtesy of the White House)

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  • photo from Tumblr

    An United States Air Force C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft from the 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard, conducts flare training off the Ventura County coast. The flares are used as tactical infrared countermeasures to confuse and redirect heat-seeking missiles.

    (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dave Buttner)


  • photo from Tumblr

    Famed Yankees pitcher “Lefty Gomez” once remarked “I’d rather be lucky than good,” but for one Tuskegee Airman, luck and good combined to make him one of the most successful combat pilots of World War II.

    During the summer of 1944, 2nd Lt. Clarence D. “Lucky” Lester was flying the P-51 Mustang over the skies of Italy’s Po Valley providing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers with cover support on their way to attack airfields in southern Germany.

    Lester was assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, a part of the 332nd Fighter Group, and had earned the nickname “Lucky” “because of all the tight situations from which I had escaped without a scratch or even a bullet hole in my aircraft.”

    Read the story of a flight that helped Lester earn his nickname here.


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    The only African-American ace of World War II, and a former Tuskegee Airman, went on to have a career in the Air Force, as well as success in the business world.

    Lee A. Archer joined the Army in 1941 with high hopes of becoming a pilot, but was initially denied because of his race. When the Army’s policy changed about a year later, Archer was accepted to the training program for black aviators at the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama.

    Archer is best known for a day in late 1944 when he was involved in a series of dogfights over German-occupied Hungary. Flying a P-51 Mustang fighter, Archer shot down three German fighters. He would go on to add two more German fighters to his credit to become the first and only African-American ace of the war.

    As a civilian, Archer enjoyed even greater success, serving as vice president for urban affairs with General Foods, as CEO of North Street Capital Corp. and chairman of Hudson Commercial Corp. He also served on the board of directors of Beatrice International Foods and the Institute for American Business.

    Read the rest of his story here.