The Air Force Feels the Heat (part 4) - 257

This is the opening remarks by Frank Kendall, the Secretary of the Air Force in the Air Force Climate Action Plan, “Climate change is reshaping the increasingly complex global security environment and the Department of the Air Force must adapt and respond to that threat. Make no mistake – the department’s mission remains to fly, fight, and win, anytime and anywhere. We are focused on modernization and improving our operational posture relative to our pacing challenge: China. We remain ready to respond and achieve air and space dominance when and where the nation needs us. Our mission remains unchanged, but we recognize that the world is facing ongoing and accelerating climate change and we must be prepared to respond, fight, and win in this constantly changing world.”

I will bring this message down a few notches. A helicopter pilot is a blue-collar aviator. Often, I loaded my aircraft, cleaned the windows, refueled, and even added oil and greased bearings. I loved it. The preflight included checking the weather to see what to expect regarding winds and temperatures. A pilot computes the density altitude (DA) from the weather reports. The DA is high if you are operating at a high altitude or when the temperatures are high. Aircraft, especially helicopters, do not perform well in high Das. As the DA rises, the engine cannot deliver as much power, and the rotor blades are not as efficient.

When the DAs are high, the pilot must download weight. This download can be cargo, people, or fuel. When fighting fires in rising temperatures, the pilot cinches in the straps on the water bucket. Or he takes on less fuel so he can still take a full load. Sometimes, the captain will ask the co-pilot to get out in two pilot operations. When I was a copilot, it was a humbling situation. But if you have to get the job done, so be it. Later, as a captain of a two-pilot crew, I could speak from experience and understanding when directing a co-pilot to sit out a turn.

From the pilot’s perspective flying a mission in hot weather means burning more fuel while delivering less cargo. 

From the standpoint of a person concerned about the planet’s well-being, burning more jet fuel means pushing more heat-producing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

To add an interesting note, pilots can make some adjustments in the short term. For example, helicopter firefighting pilots can learn to use night vision goggles and fight the flames at night when it is cooler. In addition, in some parts of the world, airlines schedule nighttime departures so they can take off with a whole load of passengers and fuel.

It is a fact that aviation burns a lot of jet fuel, and burning jet fuel puts a lot of carbon dioxide into the air. So the long-term solution, one scientists are diligently working on, is sustainably creating affordable jet fuel.

Until then, the Air Force is doing its best to adapt by anticipating the problems of adapting to hot environments, extreme weather, and sea-level rise. This is all happening at once.

Examples of critical Air Force adaptation include Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska, whose runways were closed when the Missouri River overflowed its banks in 2019. This is the headquarters of the United States Strategic Command, Stratcom, the Air Force Hub for our nuclear deterrent. When it flooded, 137 buildings were inundated. Luckily the main control center was built on higher ground and had less damage.  A year ago, contractors finished rebuilding the base and constructing levees. The cost so far is 700 million dollars.

Shortly before Offutt AFB was flooded, Tyndall AFB, Florida, was hit by Cat 5 Hurricane Michael. The rebuilding of the nearly leveled AFB is still a work in progress. The damage estimate was put at 4.7 billion dollars. The base is being rebuilt to strict new standards to withstand Cat 5 hurricanes.

These expensive catastrophes were avoidable. Thirty years prior to these events, scientists, with reams of scientific data behind them, warned us of the consequences of carbon pollution. Had we not been deceived by the fossil fuel companies, we would have lessened the chances of these extreme weather events.

Even today, in the face of more extreme weather, our actions to cease polluting the atmosphere are insufficient. In the face of mega-rainstorms to come, increasing sea-level rise, and a warming Gulf of Mexico, both Offutt and Tyndall should have been moved to higher ground. Unfortunately, these well-intentioned efforts to adapt will fall short if humanity ceases to burn carbon-based fuels. Adaptation measures will only go so far; mitigation is the only solution.

On a positive note, the Air Force is actively addressing its use of carbon fuels on its bases. Air Force bases are implementing ways to become resilient, self-sustaining, and save money. For instance, our Michigan Selfridge Guard AFB uses geothermal to heat its buildings. In addition, many AFBs are setting up solar arrays. The solar panels at Moody AFB, GA save 700,000 dollars annually. This is mitigation which also saves money, lowers the carbon footprint, and enhances security.

Here is how the Secretary of the Air Force sums up his message: “We cannot delay in addressing the impacts of climate change. Alongside industry, government, and international allies and partners, the Department of the Air Force will invest in critical capabilities and technologies to modernize the force to be more ready and resilient. Our investments will target infrastructure, weapon systems, technology, and equipment that are demonstrably more efficient and combat-credible today to improve Air Force and Space Force warfighting capability tomorrow. Every Airman and Guardian has a role in helping the department succeed in adapting to and overcoming the effects of climate change to ensure mission success across the force and across the globe. This Climate Action Plan is your roadmap to combat climate change; more than that, it is your call to action.”

It is our call to action.

Reference Department of the Air Force “Climate Action Plan” October 2022

 Department of the Air Force Climate Action Plan (af.mil)

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