Airman receives lifetime achievement award for alternative fuels

News > Airman receives lifetime achievement award for alternative fuels

Airman receives lifetime achievement award for alternative fuels

Posted 12/5/2011

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12/5/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- A technical advisor at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award for his extensive work with alternative fuels.

The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative awarded William E. Harrison III the Visionary Leadership Award for his dedication to public service and exceptional achievement with alternative fuels research during an annual meeting held here.

CAAFI is a coalition of airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers, energy producers, researchers, international participants and U.S. government agencies that partner in the development and deployment of alternative jet fuels for commercial aviation. CAAFI's goal is to promote the development of alternative jet fuel options that offer equivalent levels of safety and compare favorably on cost with petroleum-based jet fuel, while also offering environmental improvement and security of energy supply for aviation.

The award program, which began in 2011, recognizes advancements and leadership in the development and deployment of sustainable aviation alternative fuels.

Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton attended the event, noting that Harrison is an international pioneer in the development of alternative fuels and distinguished himself by helping to bring domestically produced alternative fuels to market.

"It is fitting that a member of the Air Force is one of the first to receive this newly created award," Conaton said. "It is pioneers like Mr. Harrison (who) help solidify the Air Force's close working relationship with CAAFI, with a shared goal of finding safe, high-performance and cost-effective alternatives to petroleum-based fuel."

Through CAAFI, the Air Force collaborates with industry, academia and other agencies. The Air Force is keenly interested in diversity of fuel supplies; its Alternative Fuel Certification Program has certified its fleet on Fischer Tropsch synthetics fuels and is on schedule to complete the certification of biofuels by next year. Biofuels promise to diversify supply and potentially reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas footprint.

(Courtesy of Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs.)

Comments

12/8/2011 12:09:34 PM ET
Actually, several members here have raised the subject of whether civilian workers at other bases are called sailor and/or marine. The other services have a tradition of always considering those who served as sailors, marines, soldiers. The civilian force that supports the military is primarily made up of former service members because of preference points for serving. I am still addressed by MSgt on a daily basis even though I tell folks to use Ms. instead. Does it really cheapen the position, the title that someone calls me that? No it does not. No wonder the AF has as many problems as it does if this is the things that bother folks. How about what the constant deployment rates are doing to the folks working for you? What about the aging equipment that isn't going to get replaced again because of budget shortfalls? I hope most of our AF professionals are concentrated on these issues and not on what someone calls a DAF civilian.

MSgt Ret, Offutt

12/8/2011 9:08:21 AM ET
Honestly, who really cares what they call them? Does it really affect your job or your life if we call them Airmen? They call me a soldier every time people see me in uniform and I just reply back that the Army is great. That's why our military and America by extension is going downhill because we worry about all these insignificant issues. This article is about someone who actually made a difference and all we do is complain because they called him an Airman.

Chris, JBSA

12/7/2011 12:52:39 PM ET
Welcome, I guess, to the new feel-good, homogenized USAF where everyone who draws a direct or indirect DAF paycheck is an Airman. At least they didn't refer to him as an Associate or Shareholder. BTW good on Mr Harrison for this honor.

Retired Airman, Colo Spgs

12/6/2011 11:14:43 AM ET
Title aside, what he has done is amazing. I think the focus should stay on that. The man earned a lifetime achievement award. The Air Force should be proud that type of person is working for them.

Marie Berberea, Fort Sill Oklahoma

12/5/2011 8:45:23 PM ET
If this civilian gets a job on an Army base, does he earn the title of Soldier? Does working on a Navy or Marine base make him a Sailor or Marine? I'd like to thank those responsible for our new doctrine for watering down the title AIRMAN that I earned long ago at Lackland.

Maj, staff

12/5/2011 7:56:11 PM ET
Actually the new doctrine states that DoAF civilians fall under the term Airmen when it is used to address a group or the Force as a whole. When addressing a single DoAF civilian, you do not call them an airman. Still an interesting concept though. Do you think Marines would be happy if their civilian colleagues fell under their title? I doubt that very much. Why would the Air Force think we're ok with it? Civilians. Are they valuable contributors to the mission? Without question. Are they Airmen? Nope.

Sam, Moody AFB GA

12/5/2011 5:29:58 PM ET
So the problem lies in AF doctrine. Shocking.

CJ, SC

12/5/2011 3:45:31 PM ET
The use of the word "Airman" in the headline is correct when one considers the new AF doctrine that was just released.

Tech. Sgt. Ben Rojek, Maryland

12/5/2011 12:41:29 PM ET
The writer of this article should correct the title. It cheapens the title Airman if anyone merely associated with the Air Force by employment is addressed as such. And Ms Conaton should know the difference of being a member of the Air Force and being a member of the Air Force family or better yet Air Force Civilian. It is disrespectful of those who serve in uniform.

Retired MSgt, MD

12/5/2011 11:48:44 AM ET
He's a Techical Advisor not an AIRMAN. And he's not a member. When did the Air Force become a club?

Mel, Texas

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