The 20th Fighter Wing embraces the goal of protecting the environment and our natural resources within their area of responsibility including Shaw AFB, Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, and Wateree Recreation Area.

This commitment goes beyond my expectation for compliance with all environmental laws and regulations. It underscores the importance of employing a comprehensive framework for systematically managing our work center activities in a manner that continually advances our environmental stewardship. The Environmental Management System (EMS) Cross-Functional Team (CFT), chaired by the 20 MSG/DD, and guided by the Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Council, provides this essential structure.

The CFT represents organizations of the 20th Fighter Wing and Shaw tenants through Unit Environmental Coordinators (UEC) who are appointed by their commanders. UECs are a vital conduit through which the CFT identifies the environmental, as well as human, impacts of our work center processes. In addition to setting objectives for continual improvement, the CFT also establishes and achieves targets for pollution prevention and reduction. In short, UECs directly support my "Compliance" and "Community" priorities.

Successful implementation of the EMS program is a shared obligation at every level and for every mission or activity across Shaw. I ask everyone to stand with me and commit to protecting the environment and our natural resources in your daily work and to support the initiatives of the CFT when called upon.

I applaud your continued support leading to our success in protecting the environment. Our commitment to environmental protection is the right thing to do, and it is critical for the long-term sustainment of the base.

- Col. Lawrence Sullivan, former 20th Fighter Wing commander

2020 Shaw AFB commitment to environmental protection
 

The 12,500 acre Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, located 20 minutes from Shaw, provides a unique training environment with forest that allows pilots to track hidden targets. Additionally, Airmen and military members have the opportunity to practice survival and navigation training, which prepares them for real-world encounters.

Shaw AFB takes the responsibility of protecting the environment which allows us to train for the combat mission extremely serious.

In doing so, we have pledged a commitment to restoring native species to Poinsett, including the Longleaf Pine, ensuring the health of the environmental ecosystem and re-establishing the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker to South Carolina.

The Shaw Restoration Advisory Board is the cornerstone of a proactive community involvement program to promote communication between the community and the Air Force regarding environmental cleanup at the base. The mission of the Shaw RAB is to establish and maintain open and interactive dialogue between the US Air Force, state regulatory agencies and the local community concerning the Environmental Restoration Program at Shaw Air Force Base. Meetings are held biannually and open to the public.

For more information, please contact the 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office at (803) 895-2019 or via e-mail at 20fwpublicaffairs@us.af.mil