Aircraft

Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) Boeing KC-135 tanker crews are removing everything from rubber mats to snow gear from their aircraft in a bid to reduce weight and save fuel. The hunt for excess equipment is part of the US Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO21) initiative to save money.

HIANG crews at Hickam AFB are identifying equipment that is only necessary on certain missions, such as winter gear that is not required in Hawaii, and removing excess equipment to save weight. The USAF estimates equipment that could be removed adds up to 2,270kg (5,000lb) or more of excess weight.

© US Navy photo / Petty Officer Jason Segedy
Tech Sgt Steward Leong shows an example of excess equipment that could be taken off of a KC-135 Stratotanker at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

AFSO21 is an initiative to save money by streamlining USAF processes using business strategies such as lean. Existing improvement initiatives were given the new name, and a new impetus, early in 2006 as the Pentagon became increasingly concerned about the US military’s dependence on foreign oil.

As the US Air Force accounts for about 60% of the US government’s energy consumption, there is an increasing focus on using jet fuel more efficiently. Throwing excess equipment such as 120kg rubber mats off KC-135s is one example.

In a video clip on Dr Ron Ritter, a special assistant to the Secretary of the USAF, explains more on the weight-saving initiative. Click here to watch the video.