Air Force Energy Forum on the horizon

by Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

5/26/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- With a focus on the service's most pressing operational energy issues, Air Force officials will kick off the Air Force Energy Forum III here May 27.

Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton, the Air Force's senior energy official, will deliver the keynote address during the two-day forum, highlighting the theme "A New Culture: Energy as an Operations Enabler."

Ms. Conaton will join Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and other Air Force, government and industry energy leaders to discuss the service's energy strategies, identify opportunities and share best practices.

"I am looking forward to the Energy Forum as a way to bring leaders together to propel the Air Force's energy program," Ms. Conaton said. "Through ongoing energy initiatives, the creation of operational efficiencies and our research and design activities, we are creating a culture that values energy as a mission-critical resource."

The undersecretary explains that the Air Force, the largest consumer of energy within the Department of Defense, is in a unique position to improve the nation's energy security against a rapidly changing landscape.

The Energy Forum follows the release of the Air Force's Energy Plan in December 2009.

"Executing the Air Force Energy Plan will help us reduce fuel demand and encourage new sources of supply, while maintaining mission effectiveness through increased operational efficiencies," Ms. Conaton said. "Changing our culture so that every member of the Air Force considers energy efficiency in all they do is critical to success in this area."

This year's Energy Forum is bringing in senior major command leaders to address how they and their commands are making energy a consideration in all they do. Registered attendees will hear from these and other government and industry leaders as well as participate in a variety of moderated breakout sessions.

For more information visit the Air Force Energy Forum III website at www.usafenergyforum.com.