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Go green: Eco-friendly staff cars aid initiative

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Fighter Wing commander turned in his traditional blue and white staff car for an eco-friendly hybrid here in Sept. 2014.

According to Executive Order 13514, a federal guidance mandating the reduction of petroleum use and greenhouse gases over the next 20 years in the U.S. government.

"Anytime we can save fuel it's a great thing," said Thomas Pearman, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management superintendent. "These new cars get about 42 miles a gallon."

The new cars are gasoline-electric hybrid powered versions of the mid-sized sedan and are designed to run on electric mode, gas mode, or a combination of the two, once reaching a certain speed.

The Department of Defense officials set a goal of a 34 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

While Shaw begins its initiative going greener, Airmen are reminded to always remain vigilant for the many staff cars around Shaw and the recent change in appearance of the commander's vehicle.

Chief Master Sgt. Charles Mills, 20th FW command chief, reiterates the importance of Air Force Instruction 1-1, Air Force Standards stating that saluting is a courtesy exchange between members of the Armed Forces as both a greeting and a symbol of mutual respect.

The vehicle swap process took approximately a month to move over the special communications equipment, lights, and the fins.

The 20th FW's commander leads the wing to a cleaner tomorrow and a greener future.